Take Action!

Tell your members of Congress to reduce the threat of nuclear war!

Co-sponsor the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons, S200, HR 669

In meeting after meeting, WPSR has heard directly from our members of Congress that the best way to influence
them on this issue is for them to hear from constituents directly. Can you contact your Member of Congress
now, calling for sane nuclear policy?

Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Denny Heck have co-sponsored this bill - please thank them!

For all other members of Congress, urge them to co-sponsor now!

Sample Call, Email or Postcard: My name is Lilly Adams, and I’m writing to encourage Rep. Smith to co-sponsor
the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act. I’ve recently heard more about the US’s current policy on
nuclear weapons, which gives the President sole authority to launch a first-strike nuclear weapons attack! No
one person should have the power to start a nuclear war! Please join Rep. Heck and Rep. Jayapal in co-
sponsoring this bill.

contact information for WA State House Representatives 

Senator Cantwell

(202) 224-3441

915 2nd Ave, Suite 3206, Seattle, WA 98174

To email, visit cantwell.senate.gov

Facts and Talking Points
 Basic Facts
            o There are roughly 14,900 nuclear weapons in the world, and the US and Russia possess over 90%.
            o The US has roughly 6,800 nuclear warheads. Many of these are on hair-trigger alert, meaning they could be launched within                      minutes.
            o The US is projected to spend $400 billion over the next ten years on re-building our nuclear weapons arsenal. This will cost us                 over 1 trillion dollars over the next 30 years.

 Current policy and the proposed bill
             o Currently, the President has sole authority to launch a first-use nuclear strike - a policy that increases the risk of nuclear war                    and is vulnerable to accidents and miscommunication.
             o Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Ted Lieu introduced a bill called the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2017, which                          would require congressional approval and a declaration of war to launch a first-strike nuclear attack.
             o No single individual should have the authority to start a nuclear war without extensive discussion, debate, and consideration                  of all the possible implications
 To learn more about this bill, see this factsheet from the Union of Concerned Scientists