ICBM Act

This bill would pause and reevaluate the new Sentinel land-based nuclear missile program, which has run far over budget and behind schedule, and keep the older Minuteman III missiles in service until at least 2050. It argues that shifting focus makes sense because of Sentinel’s rising costs and delays, and because submarines can still provide a strong nuclear deterrent on their own.

It would move all current Sentinel research funds and W87–1 warhead funds to the Department of Education to support Title I education programs, and it would block any spending in fiscal year 2026 on Sentinel or the W87–1 warhead. It also orders an independent National Academy of Sciences study to compare the cost and feasibility of extending Minuteman III through 2050 or beyond instead of building Sentinel, with a contract to start within 30 days and reports due within 180 and 210 days.

Key points

• Who is affected: Department of Defense, Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Education (Title I programs), and the Minuteman III and Sentinel missile programs.
• What changes: Pause and reevaluate Sentinel; extend Minuteman III to at least 2050; transfer Sentinel and W87–1 funds to Education; ban FY2026 spending on Sentinel and W87–1; require an independent study on alternatives.
• When: Fund transfers apply to amounts available at enactment; the study contract must begin within 30 days; reports due at 180 and 210 days; the spending ban applies to fiscal year 2026.