Media contact: Ryann Blackshere Vargas (ryann@preventnuclearwar.org)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. — May 19 — U.S. Senator Ed Markey and U.S. Representative Jim McGovern are speaking out following the release of a new scientific report released today by Physicians for Social Responsibility, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, and Back from the Brink that finds a proposed U.S. missile defense system—dubbed the “Golden Dome”—would leave tens of millions of Americans vulnerable to nuclear attack while costing trillions of dollars and accelerating the global arms race.
The report notes that a comprehensive system capable of addressing modern threats could cost as much as $3.6 trillion—and yet would only be 80% effective.
“Trump’s Golden Dome is a gold-plated boondoggle that will be much more effective at wasting taxpayer dollars than countering missile attacks,” said U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). “This trillion-dollar mistake will bury arms control, balloon the deficit, and boost the bottom lines of billionaires. We must not be fooled by Trump’s fool’s gold.”
A live press conference is planned today. Interviews will be available.
Location: Capitol House Triangle (If rain: Cannon House Office Building, Room 454). Livestream will also be available.
Time: 10:30AM ET
Speakers include:
- U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA)
- U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA)
- Dr. Ira Helfand, Report author and past president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
- Dr. Laura Grego, Senior Research Director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists
Key report findings:
- Even in a best-case scenario, more than 300 warheads would penetrate the defense system
- 132 major U.S. cities could still be successfully targeted
- 75 million Americans live in areas that would be totally destroyed
The report evaluates claims stemming from a May 20, 2025 announcement by President Trump that the U.S. could build a near-100% effective missile defense system within three years at a cost of $175 billion. However, the report—drawing on research including the American Enterprise Institute—finds such effectiveness is unrealistic and far more costly.
“These findings make clear that there is no technological shield capable of protecting the United States from nuclear war,” said Dr. Ira Helfand, the report’s principal author. “Even a highly effective system would still result in societal collapse and mass casualties.”
The report also highlights global impacts. Nuclear firestorms could inject massive amounts of soot into the atmosphere, lowering global temperatures and triggering a famine that could kill up to 1.4 billion people within two years.
Authors warn that pursuing such a system would create a false sense of security while fueling a new nuclear arms race, as adversaries expand arsenals to overwhelm U.S. defenses.
The report calls on the United States to begin negotiations with other nuclear-armed nations toward a verifiable agreement to dismantle global nuclear arsenals.
About the Organizations
Physicians for Social Responsibility mobilizes health professionals to advocate for policies addressing climate change, environmental health, and nuclear weapons.
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War is a global federation of medical organizations working to prevent nuclear war and promote peace.
Back from the Brink is a U.S.-based coalition advocating for common-sense nuclear weapons policies and global disarmament.
