Reps. Foster, Morelle Lead Bipartisan Effort to Streamline Nuclear Technical Expertise, Bolster Nuclear Security
September 14, 2023
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY) introduced the Nuclear Forensics Authority Realignment Act. This bipartisan legislation would realign the National Technical Nuclear Forensics (NTNF) program from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The bill is cosponsored by Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) and Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO).
In 2010, Congress formally codified the NTNF program under DHS to ensure a ready and robust nuclear forensics capability. The program established a nuclear forensics interagency partnership to prepare the government to respond to a nuclear event without warning. However, as the NTNF program’s capabilities have matured, the misalignment of its functions has created inefficiencies that inhibit the program’s advancement.
Realigning NTNF under NNSA will lead to greater efficiency, as NTNF will have direct access to NNSA’s research and development efforts and nuclear materials. The realignment will also eliminate duplication of efforts between NNSA and DHS.
"I'm proud to lead my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to realign NTNF under NNSA," said Congressman Bill Foster. "The NTNF program is essential to tracing the origin of nuclear material that we or our allies find, making it more difficult for countries to obscure their production or use of nuclear weapons. NNSA has the technical expertise to run this program as effectively as possible, which will help us hold our enemies accountable and keep our country safe."
“In the event of a national nuclear emergency it is imperative we are capable of an immediate response to prevent further attacks and save lives,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I have long supported designating the National Nuclear Security Administration as our nation’s nuclear forensics lead, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan effort. I look forward to quickly passing this common-sense legislation and streamlining the deployment of our nation’s nuclear expertise.”
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