Democratic legislators seeks reduced nuclear weapons national security strategy

A group of lawmakers recently urged the Biden administration to consider fulfilling a pledge to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in the nation’s national security strategy.

U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR) joined 17 colleagues in forwarding correspondence to President Joe Biden regarding the matter.

The request stems from the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) being part of an integrated National Defense Strategy slated to be completed by the Department of Defense early next year.

“Mr. President, as a United States Senator and then as Vice President, you were a party to every major nuclear weapons debate of the past five decades,” the legislators wrote. “From bolstering the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty to building European support for the Intermediate-Nuclear Forces Treaty, to securing votes for ratification of the New START Treaty, you have consistently been on the right side of history. Your Administration’s NPR is a watershed moment where you can reject a 21st-century arms race and make bold decisions to lead us towards a future where nuclear weapons no longer threaten all humanity.”

Among the actions lawmakers are seeking is the Department of Defense, including in its targeted list a breakdown of the damage expectancy, civilian casualties, and climatic and humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons use; examination of the number and types of new weapons needed to deter nuclear attack; and independent review of the proposed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) – the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent.