House Democrats nix funds for low-yield nukes, setting up partisan debate that has nothing to do with money

The subcommittee’s mark, which can be read in full here, explicitly prohibits funding for the deployment of the W76-2 low-yield ballistic missile warhead, which was strongly recommended by former defense secretary Jim Mattis to counter Russia’s new generation of low-yield weapons.

The mark also requires numerous studies, assessments, and analysis before releasing funds for other programs, including reports on:

• Proposed nuclear sea-launched cruise missile
• Boost phase intercept technology, both kinetic and directed energy platforms
• The Ground Based Midcourse Defense System
• Cyber security of missile defense programs
• Future deployments of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system
• Implications of the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review

The plan would also prohibit the Navy from developing technology that would be “unique to sub-launched systems,” such as “conventional prompt strike hypersonic weapons.”

OFF THE MARK: Republicans on the committee, now in the minority, immediately took aim at the “Chairman’s Mark,” and said they would fight many of the proposals when the full committee takes up the proposals next week.

“This is a partisan and irresponsible subcommittee mark that makes us less safe, hinders our ability to defend ourselves, weakens our ability to deter our adversaries, and therefore enables them to challenge us,” said Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, ranking member on the subcommittee, in a joint statement. “This subcommittee mark is a significant departure from the Armed Services Committee’s tradition of bipartisanship. We hope that the full committee markup works in a continued bipartisan basis to support our men and women of the armed forces. It is clear that this subcommittee markup does not meet that standard.”

THE LOW YIELD DEBATE: The divide over adding a low-yield option for America’s ballistic missile submarines is a classic debate about the nature of deterrence.

The Trump Administration plan is relatively inexpensive by Pentagon standards. The Trident missiles on America’s ballistic missile submarines are tipped with a high-yield thermonuclear warhead, in which a smaller fission explosion triggers a much larger fusion reaction. The Pentagon plan was simply to remove the fusion part during routine maintenance, leaving each submarine with two lower yield warheads that contained only the small fission trigger.

That would make the missile a more viable option to respond to a use of a low yield or “battlefield” nuke by Russia or some other adversary. The Pentagon argues the president needs that option because of Russia’s stated doctrine of “escalate to de-escalate,” in which Moscow could employ smaller nukes knowing Washington would not risk all-out nuclear war by responding with a high-yield weapon.

It’s what Mattis called a “surrender or suicide” scenario in congressional testimony last year.

The crux of the argument is whether low-yield weapons, being “more usable,” would be more likely to be used. Or whether being “more usable” makes smaller nukes a more credible threat, and therefore gives them a higher deterrence value, thus lessening the chance they would ever be used in conflict.

Good Tuesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Kelly Jane Torrance (@kjtorrance). Email us here for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.

Subscribe today to the Washington Examiner magazine and get Washington Briefing: politics and policy stories that will keep you up to date with what’s going on in Washington. SUBSCRIBE NOW: Just $1.00 an issue!

HAPPENING TODAY: The Senate Armed Services Committee takes up the nominations of Air Force Gen. John Raymond to be U.S. Space Commander and Air Force Space Commander and Christopher Scolese to be director of the National Reconnaissance Office. (9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen) www.armed-services.senate.gov

ALSO TODAY: State Department Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun delivers luncheon remarks on “Security and Unification Issues on the Korean Peninsula” to the annual conference of the Korea Economic Institute of America, the International Council on Korean Studies and the Council on Korea-U.S. Security Studies. Panel discussion at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Complete list of speakers at keia.org/event/annual-conference

AND SHANAHAN RETURNS: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan is due back in Washington today, after wrapping up his Asia trip with a final stop in Tokyo where he met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya to discuss North Korea and other matters.

Shanahan’s overseas travel took him to Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea and Japan. It was Shanahan’s first trip to Asia as defense secretary-designate, and he seemed pumped after meeting with counterparts at the annual Shangri-La security conference in Singapore.

“You sometimes wonder, you know, you’re going to go out there and just have happy talk; so it really was working issues, and the candor and the interaction is really pretty high,” Shanahan told reporters on his plane. “This has been productive, in terms of being able to work issues, make decisions,” he said. “The relationship building was very valuable.

THE REVIEWS ARE IN: Shanahan congratulated himself for his speech in Singapore in which he again recounted the ways China is flouting international law and the “rules-based order” by stealing intellectual property and militarizing islands in the South China Sea, while at the same time emphasizing the need for the U.S. and China to cooperate and compete fairly.

“They liked my speech,” he told reporters afterward. “You know, they said, the tone was excellent, and it really emphasized inclusion.” In a question-and-answer session after the speech, Shanahan said he would not hesitate to call Beijing out. “We are not going to ignore Chinese behavior,” he said. “I think in the past people have tiptoed around that. It is not about being confrontational; it is about being open and having a dialogue.”

CHINA DIDN’T GET THE MESSAGE: Shanahan admitted he missed the response from his Chinese counterpart the next day. The defiant, almost bellicose, speech from China’s defense minister Gen. Wei Fenghe was laced with criticism of the U.S. and contained not-so-veiled threats to “resolutely take action” to defend China’s claims to Taiwan and disputed island in the South China Sea.

“As Wei made clear at [the Shangri-La Dialogue] China is thinking clearly of the use of force against Taiwan, how to continue militarizing features in the South China, and more,” said Elbridge Colby, director of the defense program at the Center for a New American Security. “The U.S. released a practical and highly commendable strategy and is doing a great deal. Other states in the region need to focus less on avoiding the spotlight and more working with the U.S. to preserve their ability to resist Chinese coercion,” he writes.

In his discussion with reporters, Shanahan defended himself by saying that his speech was light on ways to actually get China to change its behavior. “The intent of the speech was to explain what we’re doing … it wasn’t to describe the strategy,” he said. “We’re not about conflict, we’re about, you know, following the rule of law.”

PLUS ÇA CHANGE: The reality is that U.S. defense secretaries have been going to Singapore for decades with the same message, with no discernible effect. Just for perspective, here’s a sample of what former secretaries of defense said about China at previous Shangri-La Dialogues:

“China appears to be expanding its missile forces, allowing them to reach targets in many areas of the world, not just the Pacific region, while also expanding its missile capabilities within this region. China also is improving its ability to project power, and developing advanced systems of military technology. Since no nation threatens China, one must wonder: Why this growing investment? Why these continuing large and expanding arms purchases? Why these continuing robust deployments?” Donald Rumsfeld, June 4, 2005

“One of the most critical tests facing the region is whether nations will choose to resolve disputes through diplomacy and well-established international rules and norms…or through intimidation and coercion … But in recent months, China has undertaken destabilizing, unilateral actions asserting its claims in the South China Sea … The United States has been clear and consistent. We take no position on competing territorial claims. But we firmly oppose any nation’s use of intimidation, coercion, or the threat of force to assert those claims.” Chuck Hagel, May 21, 2014

“The scope and effect of China’s construction activities in the South China Sea differ from those in other countries in several key ways. This includes the nature of its militarization, China’s disregard for international law, its contempt for other nations’ interests, and its efforts to dismiss non-adversarial resolution of issues. We oppose countries militarizing artificial islands and enforcing excessive maritime claims unsupported by international law. We cannot and will not accept unilateral coercive changes to the status quo.” Jim Mattis, June 3, 2017

THE 400TH F-35: Lockheed Martin reports its 400th F-35 has flown off its production line in Fort Worth, Texas. The Air Force F-35A is headed to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. So far Lockheed has built 283 F-35As, 87 F-35Bs and 30 F-35Cs. Including test models, all the variants have logged 200,000 flight hours, which Lockheed says marks “a significant milestone demonstrating the program’s progress and growing maturity.”

The company says it’s on track to deliver a total of 131 F-35s this year, up 40% from last year, and it expects to begin full rate production after completing the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) phase later this year.

By the numbers

• 400 F-35s delivered to date
• 10 nations currently flying F-35s (Not Turkey)
• 17 operating bases worldwide
• 800 F-35 pilots
• 7,500 maintainers
• 3 services have used F-35s in combat: the U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. and Israeli Air Forces

F-16s TO BULGARIA: The State Department has approved the potential sale of eight F-16C/D Block 70/72 aircraft, along with engines weapons, training and additional engines to NATO ally Bulgaria at an estimated cost of $1.7 billion.

“Bulgaria currently relies on the United States and the United Kingdom to participate in joint air policing. By acquiring these F-16s and the associated sustainment and training package, Bulgaria will be able to provide for the defense of its own airspace and borders,” said a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

LOCAL CHANGE OF COMMAND: U.S. Northern Commander Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy and Army Lt. Gen. Walter Piatt will preside over a change of command ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington.

Army Brig. Gen. Omar Jones assumes command from Army Maj. Gen. Michael Howard in a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Conmy Hall, Va.

CALENDAR CORRECTION: Yesterday’s week ahead calendar had an incorrect date for the Defense Writer’s breakfast with Rep. Adam Smith. It is next Monday, June 10, at 9 a.m.

The Rundown

Washington Examiner: Judge rejects Democrats’ attempt to block funds transfer for border wall

Washington Examiner: Military judge removes chief prosecutor in Navy SEAL war crimes case

Defense News: Congress Sends Trump Disaster Bill With Aid To Storm-Struck Military Posts

Reuters: U.S. to sell 34 surveillance drones to allies in South China Sea region

Washington Post: In Afghanistan, Hope Dwindles For Cease-Fire As Ramadan Comes To An End

Breaking Defense: House Armed Services Scrutinizes F-35 Costs, ABMS, Army Modernization

USNI News: Congress Unhappy With Ford-Class Inability To Deploy With F-35 Fighters

Air Force Magazine: HASC Grants Lukewarm Approval for F-15EX

AP: Kim Jong Un’s sister reappears at iconic mass games

Wall Street Journal: Iran Rejects Pompeo’s Offer of Talks With ‘No Preconditions’

The Diplomat: Russia to Showcase Su-57 Stealth Fighter at Air Show

Washington Post: Trump: More Russians Exit Venezuela

Wall Street Journal: Trump Calls on Syria, Russia to Halt ‘Butchery’ of Idlib Airstrikes

Reuters: ‘We’re Ready To Welcome You’ NATO Tells North Macedonia

Calendar

TUESDAY | JUNE 4

8:30 a.m. 1777 F Street, N.W. Council on Foreign Relations conversation with Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Livestreamed at www.cfr.org/event.

11:30 a.m. 1800 K Street N.W. State Department Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun delivers luncheon remarks on “Security and Unification Issues on the Korean Peninsula” to the annual conference of the Korea Economic Institute of America, the International Council on Korean Studies and the Council on Korea-U.S. Security Studies. Panel discussion at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Complete list of speakers at keia.org/event/annual-conference

8:30 a.m. 300 First Street S.E. National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, the Air Force Association and the Reserve Officers Association forum on “The China Challenge: Connecting Military and Political Dots.” Speakers: Joe Bosco, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Matthew Kroenig, professor at Georgetown University. www.afa.org/events

9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the nominations of Air Force Gen. John Raymond to be U.S. Space Commander and Air Force Space Commander and Christopher Scolese to be director of the National Reconnaissance Office. www.armed-services.senate.gov

10 a.m. 1775 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. Brooking Institution discussion “How security cooperation advances US interests.” Speaker: Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper, director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Moderated by Michael O’Hanlon, senior fellow, Brookings. www.brookings.edu

11 a.m. 2118 Rayburn. House Armed Services Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee markup of HR 2500, the “National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020.” armedservices.house.gov/hearings

11:30 a.m. 1800 K Street N.W. State Department Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun delivers luncheon remarks on “Security and Unification Issues on the Korean Peninsula” to the annual conference of the Korea Economic Institute of America, the International Council on Korean Studies and the Council on Korea-U.S. Security Studies. Panel discussion at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Complete list of speakers at keia.org/event/annual-conference

12 p.m. 2212 Rayburn. House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee markup of H R 2500, the “National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020.” armedservices.house.gov/hearings

1 p.m. 2118 Rayburn. House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee markup of HR 2500, the “National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020.” armedservices.house.gov/hearings

2:00 p.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave N.W. Center for Strategic and International Studies conference on “Collateral Damage? Research Collaboration in an Age of U.S.-China Competition.” Keynote remarks by Norman Augustine, former undersecretary of the Army and former chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin. Followed by a panel discussion with Mikko Huotari, deputy director, Mercator Institute for China Studies; Richard Lester, associate provost for international activities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Harvey Rishikof, director of policy and cyber security research, University of Maryland; and Stephanie Segal, senior fellow, CSIS. www.csis.org/events

2:30 p.m. 2212 Rayburn. House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee markup of HR 2500, the “National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020.” armedservices.house.gov/hearings

3:30 p.m. 2118 Rayburn. House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee markup of HR 2500, the “National Defense Authorization Act for FY2020.” armedservices.house.gov/hearings

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 5

10 a.m. 901 17th Street N.W. Friends of the National World War II Memorial discussion with World War II veterans who took part in Operation Overlord (D-Day). Speaker: Alex Kershaw, author of “The First Wave: The D-Day Warriors Who Led the Way to Victory in World War II” wwiimemorialfriends.networkforgood.com/events

10:15 a.m. 419 Dirksen. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on “Rule By Fear: 30 Years After Tiananmen Square.” Witnesses: Xiao Qiang, founder and editor-in-chief China Digital Times; Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch; Christopher Walker, vice president for studies and analysis, National Endowment for Democracy. www.foreign.senate.gov

4 p.m. 1750 Independence Ave. S.W. Friends of the National World War II Memorial remembrance ceremony and candlelight vigil “to honor all those who died during Operation Overlord,” including the reading of the names of those buried at Normandy American Cemetery. www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/volunteer

THURSDAY | JUNE 6

All day. The 75th anniversary of the day in 1944 when nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed along a heavily fortified, 50-mile stretch of French coastline in the historic operation known as D-Day, and began the liberation of German-occupied France.

President Trump participates in a commemoration of the anniversary of the anniversary the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

9 a.m. 216 Hart. American Foreign Policy Council, the University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and the Robert S.Strauss Center for International Security and Law conference on “Countering China’s Security State: A Bipartisan Approach.” Speakers include Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; and Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Del. www.eventbrite.com/e/countering-chinas-security-state

9:30 a.m. 1501 Lee Highway, Arl. Air Force Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Power discussion on “Warfare in the Information Age.” Speaker: Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Shwedo, director for command, control, communications and computers/cyber, and CIO to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. www.afa.org/events/calendar

10 a.m. 1750 Independence Ave. S.W. Friends of the World War II Memorial commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Overlord (D-Day). wwiimemorialfriends.networkforgood.com

11 a.m. 1319 18th Street N.W. Middle East Institute discussion on “Iraq’s Crisis of Governance after the Basra Protests.” Speakers: Akeel Abbas, professor at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani; Basma Alloush, advocacy and communications officer at the Norwegian Refugee Council; Mac Skelton, director of the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani’s Institute of Regional and International Studies; Bilal Wahab, fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; and Randa Slim, senior fellow and director of the MEI Program on Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues. www.mei.edu/events

7 p.m. 700 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. National Archives film screening and discussion of “The True Glory,” a record of the June 6, 1944 invasion of Normandy and the Allied landing in Europe. Speaker: former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. www.archives.gov

FRIDAY | JUNE 7

8:30 a.m. 300 First Street S.E. National Defense Industrial Association, the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, the Air Force Association and the Reserve Officers Association forum on “Escalation and Limited Wars with China or Russia?” Speakers: Elbridge Colby, director of defense programs at New America; and James Acton, co-director of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Nuclear Policy Program.

MONDAY | JUNE 10

9 a.m. 2201 G. St. N.W. Defense Writers Group breakfast with Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. nationalsecuritymedia.gwu.edu

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 12

10 a.m. 2118 Rayburn. House Armed Services full committee markup of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings.