Senator Warren and Representative Smith Re-introduce No First Use Act April 19, 2021

Statement by Jeff Carter, PSR Executive Director

“On April 15, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Adam Smith reintroduced a simple, but profoundly important piece of legislation that, if passed, would make the world a much safer place, by making it the official policy of the United States that it will never, ever use a nuclear weapon first in any conflict. It remains shocking to us — and no doubt a surprise to many — that this is not U.S. policy already. Until we abolish these weapons altogether — which we must do — this is the only rational, humane approach for any country that maintains a nuclear weapons arsenal.

Physicians for Social Responsibility salutes Senator Warren and Chairman Smith for their leadership. Warren serves on Senate Armed Services Committee. Smith is Chair of House Armed Services Committee.

Any attack using nuclear weapons would be a humanitarian catastrophe, and there is no conceivable circumstance that would justify the U.S. unleashing these doomsday weapons first. It’s also worth noting that the Biden administration doesn’t have to wait for action on this bill — they could and should direct the armed forces to adopt a ‘no first use’ policy immediately.”

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