WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, joined U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) to introduce the No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act, legislation to ensure that no president can unilaterally resume explosive nuclear testing.
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 federal government already conducts robust non-explosive nuclear tests, and experts believe that returning to costly, dangerous explosive testing is wholly unnecessary.
The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act bill would require Congressional approval to restart any explosive nuclear tests. The bill would also require President Trump, or any future administration, to show Congress proof of engagement with the state in which the tests would be conducted.
The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act is led by Cortez Masto. In the House, the bill is led by U.S. Representatives Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev).
The introduction of this legislation follows a letter Heinrich sent to President Trump demanding that his administration reverse course on resuming nuclear weapons testing and instead continue America’s peaceful leadership in maintaining nuclear deterrence.
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