A Nuclear Battle Is Ahead in Congress

Democrats seem intent on killing the main elements of the Pentagon’s plan to modernize the arsenal.

Taylor Dinerman

Jan. 3, 2019 6:54 p.m. ET

For the first time in decades, a major political fight is brewing over America’s nuclear deterrent. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, seems intent on killing several main elements of the Pentagon’s modernization plan—especially two weapons projects intended to deter Russia and China.

The administration has kept intact most of President Obama’s plan to modernize America’s deterrent force. As of 2016 the plan was to build at least 12 new Colombia-class ballistic-missile submarines...