Proposed US Legislation Will Turn Nuclear Security Over to Military

An Ohio congressman has introduced legislation that would put the military in charge of security at the Y-12 nuclear weapons plant in Oak Ridge and other U.S. facilities where nuclear weapons parts and critical weapons-making materials are housed.

U.S. Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, cited the recent security failures at Y-12 — including the July 28 intrusion by an 82-year-old nun and two other protesters — as evidence that the current system is broken and needs fixing.

Under the bill, which has six co-sponsors, the Pentagon would be responsible for security of nuclear weapons and the special nuclear materials, such as highly enriched uranium, that are used to make them. The Defense Department also would be responsible for securing the transportation of weapons and special nuclear materials.

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Nuclear Terrorism Treaties Still Incomplete

by Andy Semmel

September 14th, 2012

Andy Semmel served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for nuclear nonproliferation in the George W. Bush administration. He is on the board of directors of Partnership for a Secure America.

Congress hasn’t given its best effort to prevent nuclear terrorism. Despite broad bipartisan recognition that nuclear terror is one of the biggest threats of our time, two common-sense anti-terrorism treaties have been on the “to-do” list for more than half a decade. The Senate has the opportunity to pass those treaties in the weeks ahead and should do so for one simple reason: They would make America more secure. There is a long and commendable record of U.S. bipartisan support for policies and practices that prevent nuclear terrorism and impede nuclear proliferation. Successive administrations and both political parties have broadly agreed that combating nuclear terrorism ranks at the top of our foreign policy and national security agenda. The 9/11 Commission warned, “The greatest danger of another catastrophic attack in the United States will materialize if the world’s most dangerous terrorists acquire the world’s most dangerous weapons.” Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates noted, “Every senior leader, when you’re asked what keeps you awake at night, it’s the thought of a terrorist ending up with a weapon of mass destruction, especially nuclear.”

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Better Radiological Security at U.S. Medical Facilities Needed

Additional Actions Needed to Improve Security of Radiological Sources at U.S. Medical Facilities argues the most recent report from the Government Accountability Office.