You might favor this bill if:
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You believe launching a first-use nuclear strike would constitute a major act of war and this decision should be made by the representatives of the people and not by a single person. Since this bill does not apply to retaliatory strikes and only applies to unprovoked nuclear strikes, this bill would not impede on time sensitive situations. Nuclear strikes should be a last resort war tactic and having congressional approval on a first-use strike would help keep it that way.
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You might oppose this bill if:
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You believe that denying the president of even the possibility of launching a unilateral nuclear first strike can give our enemies leverage. A nuclear launch might be time sensitive and having a congressional approval might delay the process of a time sensitive matter. National security should not be dependent on partisan politics; The President should have full authority in order for him to do his job correctly.
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The Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act would prohibit the President from using the Armed Forces to conduct a first-use nuclear strike unless such strike is conducted after a congressional declaration of war expressly authorizing such strike.
A “First-use nuclear strike” is defined as an attack using nuclear weapons against an enemy that is conducted without the President determining that the enemy has first launched a nuclear strike against the U.S. or an ally of the U.S.
The bill states: “The framers of the Constitution understood that the monumental decision to go to war, which can result in massive death(s) and the destruction of civilized society, must be made by the representatives of the people and not by a single person.”
H.R.669
Sponsored by: Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-33].
Cosponsored by: 1 Rep / 45 Dem.
S.200
Sponsored by: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA].
Cosponsored by: 1 Rep / 12 Dem.
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