Block Trump from resuming nuclear weapons testing

It’s alarming that President Trump is actually considering nuclear weapons testing. It’s dangerous and irresponsible especially during a pandemic and major economic crisis. The Congress should act quickly to pass the Preserving Leadership Against Nuclear Explosives Testing (PLANET) Act.

The Washington Post reported that Trump administration officials have been holding talks about whether to conduct a nuclear weapons test explosion. The only discussion about nuclear testing should be ending it forever by ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The treaty bans all nuclear test explosions but has not been ratified by eight nations (U.S., China, North Korea, Israel, Iran, Egypt, India, and Pakistan). Trump has shown no support for the Comprehensive

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Even with control of the Senate, Trump has not even tried to achieve ratification of the CTBT. The failure to ratify the treaty has held back nuclear arms control and disarmament efforts.

Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy both pursued an end to nuclear testing as a major priority. They knew that ending these tests was an important step toward disarmament. Support for a nuke test ban crossed party lines.

The efforts of Ike and JFK led to the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963 banning atmospheric, underwater and outer space blasts. But the 1996 comprehensive treaty banning all nuke tests, including underground, has to yet to take effect even after all these years.

It’s time to finish what Ike and JFK started and end nuclear testing forever. But instead Trump is raising international tensions by threatening new nuke tests.

That’s why Senator Ed Markey’s legislation to block any nuclear tests is critical. The Preserving Leadership Against Nuclear Explosives Testing (PLANET) Act, S.3886, would prevent Trump from testing a nuke by restricting funds. So far 14 senators have co-sponsored the bill.

“A demonstration nuclear weapons test blast would be a massive mistake that would set back U.S. and global security for decades to come. It would break the de facto global nuclear test moratorium, likely trigger nuclear testing by other states, and set off a new nuclear arms race in which everyone would come out a loser” says Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association.

It’s time for the public to speak out against new nuclear testing. But it’s also vital the public demand ratification of the CTBT, which is long overdue.

A dedicated group of college students is trying to do just that, advocating for ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The CTBTO Youth group is the new generation trying to regain the momentum toward nuclear arms control and disarmament. It’s time the older leadership start listening.

We desperately need to regain hope for nuclear disarmament. There are still 14,000 nukes in the world, most held by the U.S. and Russia.

With rivals India and Pakistan each armed with nuclear weapons, disarmament is even more urgent.

The Physicians for Social Responsibility warns that a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan would have “global catastrophic consequences” including massive food shortages.

Both India and Pakistan need to reduce and eliminate their nuclear arsenals.

But that won’t happen unless the United States and other nations also make nuclear disarmament a priority. That starts with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. It is the bridge to nuclear disarmament.

All nuke powers must realize the more money spent on nukes is less resources for fighting hunger, disease and climate change. The cost of nukes is a major source of instability since it takes away precious resources.

We say no to nuclear testing. The American people and the world want nuclear disarmament.

William Lambers is the author of “Nuclear Weapons,” “The Road to Peace” and “Ending World Hunger.” His writings have been published by USA Today, History News Network, Baltimore Sun and many other news outlets.