May 24, 2006

Honor our International Commitments

Cosponsor H. Res. 373, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Commitments Act

Dear Colleague:

Did you know that when the U.S. ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1970, we agreed to pursue negotiations relating to complete global nuclear disarmament?

Did you know that the U.S. possesses more than 5,500 strategic nuclear warheads, actively deployed on more than 1,200 strategic nuclear delivery vehicles? Or that we currently spend more than $6 billion a year on nuclear weapons research, development, and upkeep, compared to the Cold War era average of approximately $4 billion a year?

Getting rid of our nuclear stockpiles should be the focus of our government, not the creation of new weapons. That is why I have introduced H. Res. 373, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Commitments Act. H. Res. 373 calls on the President to implement and observe all NPT obligations and commitments; declare unconditionally that the U.S. will not use nuclear weapons first; and end the declared U.S. policy of preventive warfare as a response to threats from other countries.

During this time of heightened tensions with Iran, the U.S. should lead by example and send a message that it will pursue disarmament. If you would like to cosponsor this legislation, please contact Eric Powers of my staff at x55161.

Sincerely,

S/

Lynn Woolsey
Member of Congress

Cosponsors of H. Res. 291 in the 108th Congress (32): Baldwin, Blumenaur, Sherrod Brown, Eshoo, Farr, Frank, Grijalva, Hinchey, Holt, Jackson-Lee, Kucinich, Lee, Maloney, Markey, McCollum, McDermott, McGovern, Miller, Nadler, Oberstar, Olver, Owens, Payne, Rush, Sabo, Sanders, Schakowsky, Serrano, Solis, Stark, Bennie Thompson, Watson.