SENSES OF CONGRESS ON ENSURING THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NUCLEAR FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES.

SEC. 1062. [10 U.S.C. 495 note] SENSES OF CONGRESS ON ENSURING THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NUCLEAR FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES. (a) Policy.—It is the policy of the United States to— (1) modernize or replace the triad of strategic nuclear delivery systems; (2) proceed with a robust stockpile stewardship program; (3) maintain and modernize the nuclear weapons production capabilities that will ensure the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the nuclear forces of the United States at the levels required by the New START Treaty; and (4) underpin deterrence by meeting the requirements for hedging against possible international developments or technical problems, in accordance with the policies of the United States. (b) Sense of Congress on Modernization of Nuclear Forces.—It is the sense of Congress that— (1) Congress is committed to providing the resources needed to achieve the objectives stated in subsection (a) at a minimum at the level set forth in the 10-year plan provided to Congress on an annual basis pursuant to section 1043 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81; 125 Stat. 1576), as amended; (2) Congress supports the modernization or replacement of the triad of strategic nuclear delivery systems consisting of— (A) a heavy bomber and air-launched cruise missile; (B) an intercontinental ballistic missile; and (C) a ballistic missile submarine and submarine-launched ballistic missile; and (3) the President and Congress should work together to meet the objectives stated in subsection (a) in the most cost-efficient manner possible. (b) Sense of Congress on Long-Range Strike Bomber Aircraft.—It is the sense of Congress that— (1) advancements in air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons systems by foreign powers will require increasingly sophisticated long-range strike capabilities; (2) upgrading the existing bomber aircraft fleet of the United States consisting of B-1B, B-2, and B-52 bomber aircraft must remain a high budget priority in order to maintain the combat effectiveness of such fleet; and (3) the Air Force should continue to prioritize development and acquisition of the long-range strike bomber program.