USCCB urges Senate vote against nuclear weapons research

In session
October 2003

Bono, bishops call for full funding for Africa
USCCB legislative briefs
USCCB urges vote against 'mini-nuke' research

USCCB urges vote against 'mini-nuke' research
Research on advanced nuclear weapons, such as the "robust nuclear earth penetrator," undermine nuclear non-proliferation efforts, according to the chairman of the bishops' International Policy Committee, who urged the U.S. Senate to vote against legislation that would fund such research.

In a September 16 letter to the Senate in opposition to the increased spending, Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J. of Pensacola-Tallahassee, representing the USCCB, wrote: "We oppose this funding because it would reinforce policies and practices that envision a much wider role for nuclear weapons, including their first use and their use against non-nuclear threats.

"We remain unconvinced that the more 'usable' nuclear weapons envisioned would be discriminate or proportionate in any meaningful sense.

"The moral task today is to proceed with deeper cuts and ultimately to ban nuclear weapons entirely, not to begin research on new ones," Ricard said. "The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a serious problem, but research on new, more usable nuclear weapons will only undermine the credibility of U.S. efforts to address it effectively."

Despite and bishops' appeal and strong grassroots pressure, the Senate failed to fully halt the administration's push for new nuclear weapons. On September 16, the Senate voted 53 to 41 to table (kill) Senators Feinstein and Kennedy's amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. The amendment would have prohibited funding for new, more "usable" nuclear weapons.

Senators were able, however, to slow down the administration's plans. An amendment by Senators Reed (RI) and Levin (MI) was unanimously accepted which ensures that money for new nuclear weapons goes toward research only and not development.

For more information:
See how your Senator voted
Background on new nuclear weapons
Frosted mini-nukes

Back to page top