The Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill provides funding foron Department of Energy defense programs. The FY98 bill passedoverwhelmingly on July 16, with a vote of 99-0. The bill was verysupportive of Nunn-Lugar programs. Overall, the bill approves $478.2million for nonproliferation and verification research and development,arms control, and intelligence.
The Material Physical Control and Accounting Program, which improvesfissile material security in the newly independent states, is to receive a$24.4 million increase over FY97 levels for full funding at $137 million.The Senate also approved the President's request of $81 million forInternational Nuclear Safety. These programs are designed to reducesecurity and environmental threats from aging nuclear reactors around theworld.
