The United States will allocate $7 billion...

"We will spend what is necessary to maintain the safety, security and effectiveness of our weapons," Biden said in the article, entitled The President"s Nuclear Vision.

He said the U.S. intended to boost funding for "these important activities", intended to "ensure our security" by more than $5 billion over the next five years.

"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," the vice president said.

Biden said the country"s nuclear facilities have been "underfunded and undervalued" for almost a decade and required "urgent attention."

"The consequences of this neglect-like the growing shortage of skilled nuclear scientists and engineers and the aging of critical facilities-have largely escaped public notice," he said.

U.S. President Barack Obama reiterated on Wednesday his pledge to work toward comprehensive nuclear

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