Congressman Panetta Introduces Legislation to Improve U.S. Nuclear Security

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, August 13, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Accounting Act.  The bipartisan legislation requires the Government Accountability Office provide annual reports to Congress on the budgets for international and domestic nuclear security programs of the United States. The bill is cosponsored by Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN).  Congressman Panetta and Congressman Fleishmann are members of the Congressional Nuclear Security Working Group.



"Preventing nuclear and radiological threats from nation states and terrorist organizations must remain a priority for the United States.  By increasing the transparency of our nuclear security and nuclear nonproliferation programs, this bipartisan legislation allows our government to be more focused, agile, and creative in confronting emerging nuclear security challenges," said Congressman Panetta.



"Happy to partner with Congressman Panetta to work to support efforts to strengthen our nuclear security and nonproliferation programs.  These initiatives are vital to maintain our security as well as that of our allies," said Congressman Fleischmann.



"Bipartisan congressional support has long been an essential component of U.S. leadership in reducing the risk of nuclear terrorism.  As the nuclear security challenges facing the nation are growing more complex, there is a need for Congress to play a more active role.  We applaud Reps. Panetta and Fleischmann for introducing the "Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Accounting Act," which would help lawmakers and policymakers better understand and augment the impact of U.S. nuclear security efforts," said Kingston Reif, Director for Disarmament and Threat Reduction Policy, Arms Control Association.



"This legislation reasserts bipartisan congressional leadership on an issue which has all too often gone unnoticed - the prevention of nuclear terrorism.  We applaud Congressman Panetta, Congressman Fleischmann, and their respective staff for their vision and exemplary work in promoting bipartisanship on this critical issue," said Jack Brosnan, Deputy Executive Director, Partnership for a Secure America.



The Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Accounting Act provides greater clarity on the government’s wide-ranging nuclear threat reduction activities, allowing for improved alignment of program goals and budget estimates.  Annual reports will identify program redundancies; provide new recommendations for nuclear security and nonproliferation metrics; and summarize government efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism, implement arms control agreements, and halt the illicit transfer of nuclear and radiological technologies.