In our rich 60-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 when we are in cycle. Cycles typically begin the summer of off-election years; the 2022 endorsement cycle, for example, began in June 2021. 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 H.R. 2603/S. 1219 and H.R. 669/S. 1148 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 Keeping the threat of nuclear first use on the table is an outdated and dangerous policy.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. 2603 and S. 1219, the No First Use Act.
Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-CA) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced H.R. 669 and S. 1148, the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act.
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.
Continue Arms Control With Russia
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 was set to expire February 5, 2021, but was thankfully renewed at the last minute by the Biden administration.
Now, the United States and Russia must continue to build upon New START to continue making meaningful nuclear arms reductions. While talks have stalled due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the need for continued arms control with Russia has never been more clear. Russia’s threats to withdraw from New START and conduct nuclear strikes only heighten the need to determine explicit rules of the road ahead.
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 to increase the risk of nuclear war.
As we await the Biden administration’s Nuclear Posture Review, Members of Congress must continue to push back on the development and deployment of these dangerous new weapons.
Implement Accountable, Restrained, Defense Spending
The $740B approved for FY2021 is 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.
Maintain Diplomatic Channels with 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 reinstating the Iran nuclear deal.
