Council: Front and Center: June 29, 2026

WE’RE 64! SEND US BIRTHDAY WISHES!

We’re celebrating the Council‘s 64th birthday this month and we need your help! Will you take a few seconds to send us birthday wishes on this form?

Inspired by the Beatles song “When I’m Sixty Four,” we’re hoping you will let us know why you “still need us” as the only organization specifically created to tackle nuclear threats via political action and will “still feed us” your support for our advocacy and endorsed candidates.

Over the past 64 years, we at the Council — with the help of people like you — have led the charge to build public and Congressional support for the treaties and agreements that have reduced the global nuclear stockpile by more than 80%.

We are immensely proud of the work we’ve done so far, but we still have much more work to do. Will you share more about why you need us to continue working to get rid of the last 20%?

We won’t publish your full name or other identifying information, but we might want to include your words in upcoming materials to help reach out to others and bring them into our fight. And, if you include your mailing address, we will enter you in a drawing to win free merchandise with the Council‘s name and logo on it so you can show others how much getting rid of nuclear weapons means to you.

After you fill out our form, consider kicking off a year of monthly donations today as we look ahead to our 65th birthday next June.

WITH THE IRAN WAR ON HOLD FOR NOW, NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE FOR FINAL AGREEMENT

Efforts to end the war between the United States and Iran gained momentum this month following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bring an end to the fighting. Significant obstacles remain before a final agreement can be reached, however.

Included in the MOU were provisions to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, ease sanctions, end hostilities on all fronts in the Middle East and create a reconstruction account for Iran, and a vague statement that Iran would not pursue a nuclear weapon. Just three days after the MOU was signed, Iran once again closed the Strait of Hormuz following an Israeli attack in Lebanon, raising concerns that the fragile diplomatic opening would collapse. Iran and the United States also exchanged strikes over the weekend, prompting renewed concerns about the ceasefire’s durability. Despite this rocky beginning, conversations have continued between the United States and Iran on a final agreement addressing Iran’s nuclear program, regional activities and other thorny subjects.

Both sides provided conflicting accounts regarding the return of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to Iranian nuclear sites while negotiations are ongoing, but it is clear that any final negotiated outcome will require robust verification and monitoring from the IAEA. The dueling interpretations on the inspection issue offer a glimpse into the fraught negotiating process, which is at risk of derailing over a plethora of issues.

PUTIN CONTINUES NUCLEAR SABER-RATTLING AS UKRAINIAN BATTLEFIELD SUCCESSES MOUNT

Last month, Russia conducted joint nuclear drills with Belarus involving weapons from all legs of its triad as well as theater weapons in a demonstration of the country’s extensive nuclear arsenal. The drills came as Putin visited Chinese President Xi Jinping and in response to expanded Ukrainian drone strikes against Moscow’s suburbs. Throughout the war, Putin has made use of nuclear threats when faced with battlefield setbacks.

Ukrainian drone strikes continue to wreak havoc on Russian troops and military infrastructure, and Moscow is struggling to keep up with the ever-rising costs of its illegal invasion. Kyiv demonstrated its ability to strike deep into Russian-controlled territory several times over the past month, hitting energy infrastructure and other targets on the Crimean Peninsula. Russia now faces a critical fuel shortage as a result of the strikes, bringing the consequences of Putin’s war home for average Russian citizens.

NORTH KOREA EXPANDS NAVAL NUCLEAR ARSENAL

North Korea recently commissioned a 5,000-ton destroyer equipped with allegedly nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, as a symbol of its growing naval and nuclear might. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim said during his fiery commissioning ceremony speech that “the combat capability of our navy will grow to be admirable beyond imagination.” Kim ordered that at least two destroyers of this size be built each year.

The fact that this destroyer was built quickly indicates that North Korea most likely got assistance from its allies such as Russia, according to Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. Yu Ji-hoon, research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said, “the North Korean navy is moving away from its existing coastal-defense-centered structure towards extending its nuclear and missile threat into the maritime domain.” Kim proclaimed that North Korea has entered a new age in military advancements following 70 years of stagnation.

President Trump appears to have taken notice. In a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the G7, Trump stated it was time to refocus on the North Korea issue.

ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEES AUTHORIZE MORE THAN $1T FOR PENTAGON

Both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees concluded consideration of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act this month. Neither committee was willing to decrease the Trump administration’s requested top line of $1.15 trillion in the authorized legislation. Democrats in both committees unsuccessfully sought to cut $150 billion from the topline.

Encouragingly, a number of amendments, like a requirement for a report on the necessity of maintaining the 400 deployed on-alert intercontinental ballistic missiles from Council-endorsed champions like Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-08), gained significant support during the NDAA markups, though they were ultimately not included in the approved legislation.

The full House is set to consider the NDAA this week, while the Senate may consider its version after the July 4 recess. Read the Center’s analysis of the House NDAA here. A Senate version is forthcoming and will be included in next month’s newsletter.

Congressional Republicans may seek to attach the controversial SAVE America Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) to the NDAA, which would greatly decrease the annual defense bill’s chances of passage.

Council Political Director Connor Murray recently spoke at a press conference pushing back against this year’s outrageous Pentagon budget request. He specifically pushed back against the amount requested for nuclear weapons and associated programs. Check out Connor’s remarks here.

CONGRESS FINALLY ACTS ON IRAN WAR BUT IMPLICATIONS ARE UNCLEAR

The House and Senate passed a War Powers Resolution to end the Iran war this month, sending the clearest signal of disapproval yet over President Donald Trump’s war of choice. The legislation is a concurrent resolution, meaning it does not require the President’s signature, and was adopted by bipartisan votes in both houses of Congress. It is unclear if this type of resolution would pose a legal obstacle to the President from resuming hostilities in the Iran war, as typically concurrent resolutions are used for congressional rulemaking and do not carry the force of law. Regardless, the bipartisan opposition to the conflict is clear and this success would not have been possible without a majority of Americans standing up against new wars in the Middle East.

TRUMP WANTS $88B IN TAXPAYER MONEY FOR HIS UNPOPULAR WAR OF CHOICE

Hot on the heels of Congress’s rebuke of the Iran war, the Trump administration requested almost $90 billion in additional money, in part to pay for the war. The request came as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spent last week on Capitol Hill lobbying lawmakers not only to provide this funding, but also pass a $350 billion boost for the Pentagon via a third reconciliation package. Members of Congress from both parties have poured cold water on the chances of both packages passing. House Republicans seem eager to act on both, while the Senate may only push to provide the $88 billion sought for the war in Iran. Neither has a high chance of passage.

Executive Director and former Congressman John Tierney issued a statement urging his former colleagues not to authorize a single dollar for this illegal war: “I applaud my former colleagues in Congress for finally taking action and adopting a War Powers Resolution. Let that be the end of any conversation about further war funding… Congress should see right through the administration’s attempts to frame this funding as necessary for a war that should not have been fought in the first place and not even entertain this request.”

FRANCE’S NEW NUKES AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPEAN SECURITY

In March, while speaking at a nuclear submarine base, French President Emmanuel Macron made the momentous announcement that France would be providing access to its nuclear umbrella for other interested European nations. The speech came amidst the backdrop of U.S. attacks on the NATO alliance and concerns amongst European nations about U.S. extended deterrence. Since Macron’s announcement, nine nations have joined the scheme including, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Norway.

The arrangement is still in its fledgling stages, but if it is seen through, the plan would allow French nuclear-armed fighters to temporarily be based in participating nations to deter a nuclear strike. As Putin continues to rachet up his inflammatory nuclear rhetoric over the war in Ukraine, more European nations are turning to the French to provide a credible deterrent.

Macron’s presidency ends in 2027, and French domestic politics could complicate the implementation of this new nuclear sharing framework. Regardless of what eventually comes of this effort, it is clear that European nations are planning for a security landscape decoupled from the United States.

This is a major blow to non-proliferation efforts, but what does this mean for European and American security? The latest Nukes of Hazard podcast episode discusses France’s new approach to its nuclear arsenal, how it aligns with French tradition and how the United States should respond. Listen online or search for “Nukes of Hazard” wherever you get your podcasts.

NATIONAL POLITICAL TRENDS FAVOR CHANGES IN HOUSE; SENATE REMAINS CHALLENGING

The discussion around redrawn congressional maps has been unavoidable during the 2026 midterm cycle. Decisions in multiple states to change district lines have led to much hand-wringing and frustration.

It remains unclear what the ultimate outcome will be as both parties sought to improve their chances in November (Democrats largely in retaliation for Republicans’ attempts to retain their majority through questionable means).

President Trump’s decision-making in recent months, most dramatically the Iran war, has further decreased his popularity. Republicans in Congress have largely been unwilling to even display a minimum of resistance to his policy. Those factors, combined with continued high costs, have soured many on current congressional leadership.

That said, it remains unlikely that Democrats will secure majorities in both the House and Senate in November. It is not impossible but multiple shockers in Iowa, Nebraska and Maine would be required alongside strong showings to not lose seats in Michigan, Minnesota and New Hampshire.

The more likely outcome remains a change in majority in the House, though the margins there are also narrow, and a potential narrowing of the margin in the Senate.

NEW ENDORSEMENTS IN MASSACHUSETTS, OREGON, ARIZONA, NEW JERSEY

The Council‘s political team has been hard at work ensuring we see real change in November and install much-needed checks on this administration’s worst instincts. To that end, the Council recently endorsed Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. Herb Conaway D-NJ-03) and Jonathan Nez (D-AZ-02).

Sens. Markey and Merkley are longtime Council champions and co-leaders of the congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group. They have shown repeatedly that they are willing to stand up for diplomacy and oppose bad nuclear weapons policy. Sen. Merkley has led efforts to counter the ill-advised Golden Dome missile defense program, while Sen. Markey has publicly pushed back against this year’s outrageous $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget request.

Rep. Conaway is a physician by training who took over this seat from now-Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ). Rep. Conaway serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where he has already shown his willingness to stand up against bad policy.

Jonathan Nez hopes to flip this rural Arizona district after a strong showing in 2024. The former Navajo Nation President knows firsthand the effects of the U.S. nuclear legacy. He is laser-focused on driving results to his district, unlike incumbent Rep. Eli Crane (R), who has not advocated for a single dollar to benefit his constituents.

Additional exciting endorsees are waiting in the wings as the Council enters the summer with momentum on the candidate front. Make sure to check back frequently to see what other candidates you can support to ensure we turn the tide before entering a new nuclear arms race.

Consider supporting Council-endorsed candidates today and help us shape the leadership in the next Congress.

For the next 4 months, we’ll list all of our endorsed candidates at the bottom of this newsletter along with their bios and donation links. If you’d like to donate to more than one House candidate or more than one Senate candidate, or donate to one or more candidates in each chamber, bookmark these links, which we’ll update through November every time we make a new endorsement: all endorsed House candidates | all endorsed Senate candidates | all endorsed candidates.

CONSIDER BECOMING A MONTHLY DONOR

As election season nears, the Council is also hard at work on its advocacy on Capitol Hill. Have you considered making a monthly donation to support our efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear threats through political action? You can donate as little as $1 a month. Become a monthly supporter today!

2026 ENDORSED CANDIDATES