Here’s one of our mantras – Cultivating congressional leadership is one of Back from the Brink’s core strategies to build the political power necessary to fundamentally reform U.S. nuclear weapons policy and achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. Even now when the chances of near-term, significant policy progress or legislative “wins” are so small.
Why? We’re building a nationwide nuclear disarmament constituency, and more members of Congress are essential voices in this fight — they have the ability to influence other key constituencies, most importantly the president, voters in their districts and states, the media, and other organizations with political and cultural significance. And we know that members of Congress won’t demonstrate that leadership if we the people —their constituents— don’t demand it.
Of course, Congress also directly impacts and shapes policy though funding decisions and blocking or stopping bad policies. This is particularly important given the possibility that the Trump administration may propose funds in their Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request (expected to be released in April or May) to begin preparing the Nevada Test Site for the resumption of underground nuclear explosive testing. There are also proposals being bandied about to build new types of nuclear weapons and add more warheads to existing missiles. If any of these very bad ideas gain traction or are included in the president’s budget, we will work hard to stop them.
Working with other key allies and partners, Back from the Brink will be engaging members of the 119th Congress in multiple ways throughout this two year session. With your help, we will put in the work to grow significant support and cosponsorship for a soon to be introduced House resolution by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) which lays out a comprehensive nuclear arms control and disarmament policy agenda.
As many BftB activists know, Rep. McGovern is our #1 congressional champion as lead sponsor of H. Res. 77 in the last congressional session, and host of the House special orders session on nuclear weapons last year. We need many more congressional leaders like Rep. McGovern who will make this issue a priority and fearlessly demand attention on why we need to halt and reverse the global nuclear arms race, enact policies to reduce nuclear risks, and get serious about abolishing nuclear weapons from the planet – before our luck runs out. Cosponsoring legislation is one important step a member of Congress can take to show leadership. Last congressional session, we secured 44 cosponsors for the McGovern resolution. This session, we expect to grow that number thanks to the hard work and activism of our growing network of activists.
We’ll also be focusing some of our advocacy on another resolution, H. Res. 100, introduced by Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) and a Senate companion, S. Res. 61, introduced by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). These important resolutions are more narrowly focused on near-term challenges — notably that the United States and Russia need to engage in serious nuclear diplomacy now, before New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty between the two countries, expires in February 2026. The resolution also urges the United States to pursue nuclear arms control and risk reduction with Russia and China, avoid an unrestrained nuclear arms race, and adhere to the limits established by New START until a new nuclear arms control framework is established.
Once the new McGovern resolution is introduced, Back from the Brink will be updating you regularly. If your House representative cosponsored Rep. McGovern’s resolution last session, don’t hesitate to reach out to their office now and urge them to contact Rep. McGovern’s office to sign on as an original sponsor before it is formally introduced.
