Analysis of Appropriations for Nuclear Weapons Activities

Congress will soon need to complete several Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations bills or extend those from 2008 via Continuing Resolution. The FY2009 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act is among those that has yet to pass either floor; it may be considered before the current Continuing Resolution expires in March. This document summarizes key differences in the House and Senate appropriations committee bills for the Department of Energy's (DOE) nuclear weapons programs. This synopsis includes the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW), Advanced Certification, Enhanced Surety, the Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Facility Replacement (CMRR) project, Pit Manufacturing, Pit Manufacturing Capability, Dismantlement, and the Pit Disassembly and Conversion Facility (PDCF).