Bicameral bill would forbid low-yield nuclear warheads on submarine missiles

The bicameral Hold the Low-Yield Nuclear Explosive Act, or the Hold the LYNE Act, was introduced in Congress on Sept. 18, a measure that would prohibit the research, development, production and deployment of a low-yield nuclear warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The legislation, S. 3448/H.R. 6840, was lead sponsored by U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-CA).

The United States has a nuclear arsenal that includes 1,350 strategic nuclear warheads deployed on intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and strategic bombers, according to the text of the bill. Specifically, the bill would prohibit the Trident D5 low-yield nuclear warhead.

A new low-yield nuclear weapon could increase the risk of nuclear war, lawmakers said. There are no military requirements for low-yield nuclear weapons, and they are indistinguishable from other submarine-launched nuclear weapons, added Markey.

“A nuclear weapon is a nuclear weapon, and the Trump administration’s attempt to market a new one is ill-advised and dangerous,” Markey said.

U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), who cosponsored the House version of the bill, noted that his previous efforts to prohibit the authorization and funding to develop a low-yield nuclear warhead for the Trident D5 submarine-launched ballistic missile were narrowly defeated.

“These unnecessary warheads will increase the risk of nuclear war and further fuel a dangerous arms race,” Garamendi said. Furthermore, we’re already on track to spend over $1.2 trillion over the next thirty years to modernize and maintain our current nuclear arsenal, and that figure does not take into account these new weapons.”

The bill has the support of many organizations including Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety.