They should rethink those plans and accelerate the destruction of the nation's chemical arsenal.

USA Today reported last week that the Pentagon is seeking a second extension of the deadline for destroying the weapons that was outlined in the international Chemical Weapons Convention.

Originally, the U.S. chemical weapons were to be destroyed by 2007.

Now, the Pentagon intends to miss a 2012 deadline and not destroy the arsenal until 2023, according to documents obtained by the newspaper.

The stockpiles of nerve gas and other chemical agents are stored in seven locations around the nation, and members of Congress and communities near the storage facilities are unhappy with the delays.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told USA Today that the Pentagon is backsliding on its commitment.

Earlier this year, McConnell and other senators introduced a resolution citing the 1993 international agreement to destroy chemical weapons, saying destruction of the weapons is "of utmost importance to the national security of the United States."

The chemical weapons stockpiles could be targeted by terrorists.

While destroying the weapons is a complicated task, Pentagon officials should make getting rid of them a priority.

The delays will cause cost increases for disposing of the chemicals and present unnecessary risks to the seven communities where the weapons remain.