In our rich 50-plus-year history, Council for a Livable World has pushed for policies that will make the world safer from nuclear threats. Whether we are engaging on Capitol Hill or motivating our supporters around the country to contact their representatives, we are advocating for what our founder called “the sweet voice of reason” when it comes to the most dangerous weapons ever created.
It is easy to look at the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and assume there is nothing you can do. But you can do something — in fact, the biggest successes in nuclear risk reduction were driven by everyday people demanding that their leaders step back from the nuclear brink.
You have the power to effect change in nuclear weapons policy by letting your Member of Congress know you care about these issues. You can identify your Representative/Senators by clicking here. And then call them by contacting the Capitol Hill Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
You can also take action simply by reading more about these issues, talking about them with your friends, and sharing posts about them on social media. Follow the Council on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest nuclear weapons news.
Join our email list to be among the first to know when hearings and votes take place on these and other critical national security issues.
Finally, you can take action on these issues by using our forms to donate to our endorsed candidates. The donations will go directly to candidate campaigns, but will be earmarked as coming from a Council supporter, so campaigns will know that their supporters care about minimizing nuclear threats.
Implement No First Use
Contact your Senators and Representative and ask them to cosponsor HR 921/S 272 and HR 669/S 200 to prevent nuclear war. The United States has the most capable military in history. We do not need to start a nuclear war. Period. If we do, an all-out nuclear war is sure to follow. Keeping the threat of nuclear first use on the table is an outdated and dangerous policy. A No First Use policy just makes sense.
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced H.R. 921 and S. 272, the No First Use Act.
Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced H.R. 669 and S. 200, the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2019.
As the text of the bills state, this legislation is necessary because:
Nuclear weapons are uniquely powerful weapons that have the capability to instantly kill millions of people, create long-term health and environmental consequences throughout the world, directly undermine global peace, and put the United States at existential risk from retaliatory nuclear strikes.
Learn more about No First Use from our sister organization, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. Then, sign our petition telling Congress you support a No First Use policy.
In 2017, 500,000 citizens signed petitions in support of the Markey/Lieu bills which were delivered to Capitol Hill. We can — and must — show even stronger support this time around.
Extend New START
The Council was instrumental in building support for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which successfully reduced the number of deployed U.S. and Russian nuclear warheads to the lowest levels since the 1950s. This agreement is set to expire February 5, 2021, but can — and should — be extended through 2026.
Bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress in 2019 demonstrates support for New START extension. The Council is currently trying to get more co-sponsors for the bill.
You can show your support for New START extension by urging your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the Richard G. Lugar and Ellen O. Tauscher Act to Maintain Limits on Russian Nuclear Forces in the House and Senate.
Do Not Build or Fund New Nuclear Weapons
The Trump Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review called for “supplemental” capabilities in the form of new “low-yield” nuclear weapons. They are dangerous and unnecessary, and will only serve toincrease the risk of nuclear war.
Members of Congress continue to push back on the administration’s attempt to acquire these more “usable” weapons.
Implement Accountable, Restrained, Defense Spending
The $738B approved in the FY2020 defense authorization act, and the $740B proposed for FY2021, are unacceptably high. The United States can and should maintain its security at lower costs. The Council offers analysis to Members of Congress and Congressional committees on various aspects of defense spending bills to endorse parts that will keep America safer and oppose parts that won’t.
End Forever Wars
It’s past time to bring American troops home from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have been going on for nearly 20 years. The Council supports bipartisan bills to end or update the current authorizations for the use of military force in these countries.
Maintain Diplomatic Channels with North Korea and Iran
The Trump Administration decision to abandon the Iran nuclear agreement has proven to be disastrous. Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon today than it was when President Trump took office. The U.S. approach of maximum pressure on Iran is a maximum failure. It is time to work with our allies and partners with the goal of getting Iran back to the negotiating table.
President Trump’s decision to meet directly with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was unorthodox, but the effort to engage in diplomatic discussions was welcomed by the Council. It is the only way to diffuse nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Unfortunately, after two years, nothing of substance has been produced. Formal negotiations should continue to be the goal and Congress should support such efforts.
