Overview
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the administration is planning nonnuclear 'system' or subcritical tests, not explosive detonations.
- Sixteen Senate Democrats led by Sen. Martin Heinrich sent a letter urging the president to personally clarify the scope of any resumed testing.
- Nevada Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen introduced legislation to require congressional approval before any explosive nuclear test, with similar House efforts in the works.
- Nevada’s delegation asked the administration to reverse course, halt any preparatory steps for explosive testing, brief Congress on stockpile assessments, and provide cost estimates.
- Reporting notes major construction for subcritical work at the Nevada National Security Site, including Scorpius and ZEUS radiographic systems, while DOE and NNSA did not respond to detailed inquiries.