No First Use

No First Use of Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons pose one of the greatest threats to human health and survival, and preventing their use is critical. Under no circumstances should the United States start a nuclear war. No first use (NFU) refers to a pledge or a policy by a nuclear-armed country not to use nuclear weapons as a means of war except in response to a nuclear attack. In April, 2021, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), Chair of the House Armed Services Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the “No First Use Act” in the House (H.R. 2603) and Senate (S. 1219).

Resources

Here are several resources on No First Use, and ways to take action.

Full bill text for S. 272 and H.R. 921

NFU Fact Sheet

NFU Talking Points

Sample op-eds and LTEs:

A Modest Proposal: Don’t Start a Nuclear War by Olivia Alperstein, Common Dreams

Latest No First Use News & Actions

No, Ukraine Was Not Wrong to Give Up Its Nukes

Op-ed in Common Dreams by Matt Bivens, MD, PSR Board Member.

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Ukraine and the Threat of Nuclear War

Op-ed in The Nation by Ira Helfand, MD, PSR Board Member.

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The Time to Act on Nuclear Disarmament is Now

Op-ed in Inkstick Media from PSR’s Jasmine Owens.

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PSR Takes Out Ad in President Biden’s Hometown Newspaper Calling for a Sensible Nuclear Posture Review

On Sunday, January 2, the residents of Wilmington, Delaware opened their newspapers to an ad containing an open letter signed by over 1,000 citizens concerned with Biden’s nuclear strategy.

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