WASHINGTON — Last week, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) spoke on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent program and the W87-1 warhead, which will be assembled at Pantex in Amarillo, Texas.

Jackson’s remarks as prepared are below.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment as it cuts funding for the W87-1 warhead that will be assembled at Pantex in Amarillo, Texas. 

These are funds requested by President Biden and broadly supported across Congress. 

Cutting funding for the W87-1 would be irresponsible and unsafe as it is slated to replace the W78, which will soon be the oldest weapon in the stockpile.

This program was started by Obama, continued by Trump, and is now being funded by Biden.

It has been a great success as it has hit all its markers and is on track to reach Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and deliver the first unit in 2030.

Further, Plutonium pits for the W87-1 will eventually be produced at the Los Alamos and Savanah River National Labs, giving us a production capability that we don’t currently have.

For these reasons, and the others mentioned by my colleagues, I’d urge everyone to oppose this far-left attempt to unilaterally disarm the United States. 

I yield back.”

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