Biden: US to up investment in nuclear arsenal

US Vice President Joe Biden says that Washington will increase investment in its nuclear arsenal and infrastructure in the country’s new budget.

In an opinion piece appeared in The Wall Street Journal’s website on Thursday, Biden said that the administration will propose USD 7 billion to maintain US nuclear weapons stockpile, which would be USD 600 million more than Congress approved last year.

“Even in a time of tough budget decisions, these are investments we must make for our security. We are committed to working with Congress to ensure these budget increases are approved,” Biden said.

The comment comes at a time when the US and Russia are negotiating a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, which entails decommissioning of both sides’ nuclear weapons.

The administration of US President Barack Obama will publish its budget for fiscal year 2011 on Monday February 1.

The proposal will include a budget increase for nuclear issues while paring back other areas in an effort to control record deficits.