Both Congressman Steven Horsford and Congresswoman Susie Lee from Nevada districts introduced legislation in the house called the Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act.
The act would prevent explosive nuclear testing Nevada or elsewhere without congressional approval.
“There are no winners in nuclear war, and there is no reason for this saber rattling,” Congressman Steven Horsford said. “As other nuclear powers respond to President Trump’s announcement, we are all less safe from these horrific weapons. Nevadans carried the burden of America’s domestic nuclear tests in the past, and we will not go back. By requiring Congressional authorization, the legislation Rep. Lee and I are introducing today protects our state from the radioactive fallout that poisoned our air, our land, and our people in the past.”
According to Congressman Steven Horsford's Office, Nevada was impacted by America’s past explosive nuclear testing, which had devastating human and environmental consequences on Nevada and neighboring states.
Congresswoman Susie Lee said, “Too many Nevadans for decades have suffered the consequences of from nuclear testing and toxic radiation exposure.”
The Congresswomen also said, “Experts, including those in the Trump administration, have consistently testified that explosive nuclear testing is unnecessary. We need to listen to the science, not the whims of this president. I’m proud to join Congressman Horsford in introducing this legislation ensuring innocent Nevadans will not pay the price for this president’s nuclear saber-rattling.”
NOV 5.
U.S Senators from Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico have introduced legislation requiring no president can resume explosive nuclear testing without approval.
The bill would require President Trump, or any future administration to show Congress that there is engagement with the state in which the test would take place.
U.S. Senators are calling this bill "The No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act."
This comes after President Trump announced that the United States would begin testing nuclear weapons again.
According to Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's office the only place the United States could resume explosive nuclear weapon testing is at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), just 60 miles outside Las Vegas.
“Nevadans were blindsided when President Trump said he could revive the outdated, misguided practice of detonating nuclear weapons just 60 miles from my hometown of Las Vegas,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “No administration should have the authority to set off nuclear bombs on American soil without any oversight or outreach to the states that would bear the burden of these dangerous tests.”
The Congressional Research Service says nuclear explosive testing sites have been maintained in Nevada but are not used due to a voluntary moratorium from 1992.
The Congressional Research Service also says the Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security (NNSA) Administrator stated that the United States has “no technical reasons” to conduct nuclear tests.
Senator Jacky Rosen also put out a statement saying she collaborated with U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich who both led 14 Democrats by sending a letter to President Trump demanding that his administration put a stop to resuming nuclear weapons testing that risks contaminating Nevada and the surrounding states.
The letter starts with, “We write to you today to express grave reservation about any action to resume nuclear weapons testing. While Secretary Wright recently sought to provide context to the directive you announced last week, we request that you personally provide clarification,” wrote the Senators.
Representatives Steven Horsford and Susie Lee from Nevada will also be introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
