Sec. 1672. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT NUCLEAR DETERRENT OF UNITED KINGDOM

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## SEC. 1672 SENSE OF CONGRESS ON IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT NUCLEAR DETERRENT OF UNITED KINGDOM It is the sense of Congress that— ####

(1)nuclear deterrence is foundational to the defense and security of the United States and the security of the United States is enhanced by a nuclear-armed ally with common values and security priorities; ####

(2)the United States sees the nuclear deterrent of the United Kingdom as central to transatlantic security and welcomes the commitment of the United Kingdom to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO)to continue to spend two percent of gross domestic product on defense; ####

(3)in the face of increasing threats, the presence of credible nuclear deterrent forces of the United Kingdom is essential to international stability and for NATO; ####

(4)the commitment of the United Kingdom to sustaining an independent nuclear deterrent, deployed continuously at sea, provides a vital second decision-making point within the deterrent capability of NATO, creating essential uncertainty in the mind of any potential adversary; ####

(5)the United States Navy must continue to execute the Columbia-class submarine program on time and within budget to ensure that the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad of the United States is sustained and the program delivers a Common Missile Compartment, the Trident II

(D5)Strategic Weapon System, and associated equipment and production capabilities, to support the successful development and deployment of the Dreadnought submarines of the United Kingdom; ####

(6)the support that the United Kingdom provides to deployments of strategic ships and aircraft of the United States at specialized facilities enables a vital part of the deterrence posture of the United States as well as mutual deterrence of adversaries and assurance to the allies and partners of the United States; and ####

(7)the collaboration of the United Kingdom with the United States on the military use of atomic energy ensures a peer in the technology and science of nuclear weapons and provides independent expert peer review of the nuclear programs of the United States, ensuring resilience and cost effectiveness to the nuclear defense programs of both nations. ## Subtitle E Missile Defense Programs