Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) introduced legislation to ensure that no president can unilaterally resume explosive nuclear testing. The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act would require Congressional approval to restart any explosive nuclear tests. The bill would require President Trump, or any future administration, to show Congress proof of engagement with the state in which the tests would be conducted.
Last week, President Trump said that the United States would begin testing nuclear weapons again, resuming a dangerous practice that the country abandoned in 1992. The only place the United States could conduct an explosive nuclear weapon test is at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), 60 miles outside of Las Vegas. The federal government already conducts robust non-explosive nuclear tests, and experts believe that returning to costly, dangerous explosive testing is wholly unnecessary.
“Nevadans were blindsided when President Trump said he could revive the outdated, misguided practice of detonating nuclear weapons just 60 miles from my hometown of Las Vegas,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “No administration should have the authority to set off nuclear bombs on American soil without any oversight or outreach to the states that would bear the burden of these dangerous tests.”
“Nevadans are still dealing with the fallout of explosive nuclear testing conducted during the Cold War era and the radiation unleashed in our state. Donald Trump’s directive to resume nuclear testing is reckless, unnecessary, and dangerous,” said Senator Rosen. “Senator Cortez Masto and I are introducing this legislation to require congressional approval for any and all future explosive nuclear weapons testing. A decision of this magnitude should not be made lightly or on a whim by an erratic President.”
Representatives Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) will be introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
Earlier this week, Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen sent two letters to the Trump administration expressing outrage over the president’s directive to resume nuclear testing and demanding he reverse course. She has also consistently voted to deliver critical funding to the NNSS. She has a strong history of opposing nuclear waste disposal at Yucca Mountain and has introduced legislation to ensure the Secretary of Energy obtains written consent from state, local, and Tribal leaders before allowing construction of a nuclear waste repository. Cortez Masto also pressed Energy Secretary Wright in his confirmation hearing on whether he would stand up to any Trump administration attempts to cut funding to the NNSS.
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