Congressman Panetta, Colleagues Introduce Legislation Mandating Congressional Authorization for Nuclear Testing

Washington, D.C. - On Friday, September 25 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04), Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03), Congressman Ben McAdams (UT-04), and Congressman TJ Cox (CA-21) introduced the No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act. The legislation requires congressional approval prior to any new explosive nuclear testing. Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate. “Unwarranted and unnecessary nuclear testing is a risk to our national security,” said Congressman Panetta. “That’s why I’m proud to co-introduce bipartisan legislation that provides Congress with the authority to approve any new nuclear testing. Such Congressional oversight will allow us to be more focused, agile, and creative in our nuclear security and allow us to be more secure as a nation.” “The Secretaries of Defense and Energy have reported to the President that the U.S. stockpile is safe, secure, and effective in the absence of nuclear testing. Restarting nuclear testing is unnecessary and would have far-reaching consequences on Nevada’s environment and the health and safety of my constituents. Any decision that brings dangerous explosives to our backyard must carefully consider the long-term effects on our state,” said Congressman Steven Horsford. “This legislation will ensure that Congress can provide the appropriate oversight and accountability measures necessary and determine any risk this many pose to the surrounding area.” "I will always stand up for Nevadans to oppose any and all dangerous and unnecessary nuclear testing pushed by this, or any other, administration. The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act would ensure Congress has a say in any new nuclear testing while maintaining the safety and security of our current stockpile. I don’t care how many times Nevada is offered up by Washington politicians to be the nation’s nuclear laboratory; it won’t happen on our watch,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “Utahns are still suffering and dying from exposure to radioactive fallout released during past tests. The federal government lied to us about the safety then, knowing we were in harm’s way. This bill ensures that Utahns will have a voice in any future decisions and a check against an unnecessary executive move that would endanger their health and safety,” said Congressman Ben McAdams. “The President should not be using dangerous nuclear tests as a political tool, especially when it threatens the lives of millions of Americans. Any decision that puts the use of nuclear weapons on American soil should require Congressional approval to ensure that nuclear testing is only done when absolutely necessary, and that it is done in a way that won’t put American lives at risk. I’m proud to join my colleagues to support the ‘No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act’ to ensure our Eastern neighbor is not taken advantage of, and to help protect the health and safety of all Americans,” said Congressman TJ Cox. Earlier this year, the Trump administration contemplated conducting the first U.S. nuclear test explosion since 1992. Such a procedure would destabilize international relations and run counter to a decades-long moratorium on explosive nuclear testing. The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act would establish a congressional approval process for any future explosive nuclear testing while sustaining the National Nuclear Security Administration’s central mission to maintain the safety, security, and reliability of the United States' nuclear weapons stockpile. The bill updates the Atomic Energy Defense Act requiring Congress pass a Joint Resolution of Approval for any explosive nuclear testing. This Congress, Congressman Panetta introduced the bipartisan Nuclear Security and Nonproliferation Accounting Act, H.R. 4185, requiring the Government Accountability Office (GAO) provide annual reports to Congress on the budgets for international and domestic nuclear security programs of the United States. In response, the GAO has prioritized a review of future U.S. nuclear security efforts. The report will be published in the coming months. Congressman Panetta has also introduced the Preventing Actions Undermining Security without Endorsement (PAUSE) Act, H.R. 6991, prohibiting actions to terminate or withdraw the United States for international treaties, including nuclear security agreements, without congressional approval.