National Nuclear Security Administration Advisory Committee

[struggle4progress]

The House Armed Services Committee defense authorization report encourages the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator Linton Brooks .. to reinstate the NNSA Advisory Committee:

The committee notes that shortly after the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) was created, the first NNSA Administrator established an independent committee to advise the Administrator on a wide range of issues, particularly technical areas. This advisory committee was not renewed after the first two years for several reasons, including the administrative burden of supporting the committee. The committee recognizes the complexity and importance of the NNSA’s mission, and notes it faces important decisions about ensuring the reliability of our nuclear stockpile, exploring new initiatives such as the Reliable Replacement Warhead program, and maintaining a high level of security in a cost-effective manner. The committee further recognizes the value of sound, balanced information and counsel from independent, credible sources on a range of technical and security matters. The committee encourages the NNSA Administrator to consider reinstating the advisory committee to assist the NNSA in its deliberations on the important challenges it faces.”

NNSA summarily abolished the Advisory Committee in June 2003. <snip>

The Union of Concerned Scientists cited the dismissal of NNSA and State Department committees in Restoring Scientific Integrity in Policy Making, a statement signed by 62 preeminent scientists charging the Bush administration with widespread and unprecedented “manipulation of the process through which science enters into its decisions.” <snip>

http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/index.php?id=616