Sign the petition: Stop nuclear war. Congress must pass No First Use policy.

Congress

Under current policy, the United States has the ability to initiate a nuclear war at any time. We know that even in a limited nuclear exchange there is no winner - the whole world loses and millions lose their lives.

The notion that any one person or nation, regardless of character or party affiliation, could have such vast power to end life on Earth is appalling in the best of times — let alone during a global pandemic! There are no circumstances under which the U.S. should start a nuclear war, and it’s time that a policy of No First Use is the law!

Today we are asking elected officials and YOU – their constituents – to join us in standing for No First Use. By signing this petition, you’re showing your representatives that you want No First Use and want them to work to enact it.

Recently, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Adam Smith introduced a bill that would make it the policy of the United States not to use nuclear weapons first. Your Representatives should support it!

Why No First Use? Here are five reasons that we stand for No First Use:

  • There are no circumstances in which the United States could use nuclear weapons first without suffering horrific consequences and inflicting the loss of millions of innocent lives. Retaining that suicidal option only encourages other countries to do the same.

  • No individual or Congressional body – by intention or miscalculation – should ever be able to threaten the annihilation of states and cities.

  • We need to disincentivize the demand for a nuclear arsenal that costs us trillions of dollars and could be going to the actual needs of our communities: healthcare, education, housing, solutions to the climate crisis, and much more.

  • Nuclear detonation anywhere in the world, by any actor, would drastically elevate the role of the military globally and fundamentally weaken the ability of civil society to advocate for their communities and causes.

  • A No First Use policy would in no way reduce our ability to deter nuclear-armed adversaries who fear a nuclear counterattack.

Now is the time for society to act together — civil society groups, Members of Congress, faith leaders, and everyday people.

Sign the petition: Demand Congress add checks and balances to our nuclear system and enact No First Use!

Participating Organizations:
Beyond the Bomb
Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility
Daily Kos
Ellen Thomas
Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action
Joseph Gerson
Massachusetts Peace Action
Nonviolence International
Peace Action New York State
Peace Task Force
People for Nuclear Disarmament
Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) Arizona Chapter
Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles
Progress America
Tri-Valley CAREs, Livermore, CA
United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

To: Congress
From: [Your Name]

Experts say that the risk of nuclear war by miscalculation or misunderstanding is greater than ever. A declaratory no first use policy is a vehicle for ensuring strategic stability, especially in a crisis, and reducing the risk of a nuclear war.

The United States has the strongest and largest conventional military in the world. Given that, there is no reason to escalate conflict to the nuclear level. Even a limited nuclear engagement would have far reaching consequences felt around the globe. As Reagan said, “A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” With this in mind, we urge you to cosponsor H.R. 2603 and S. 1219.

Here are five reasons that we stand for No First Use:

1. There are no circumstances in which the United States could use nuclear weapons first without suffering horrific consequences and inflicting the loss of millions of innocent lives. Retaining that suicidal option only encourages other countries to do the same.

2. No individual or Congressional body – by intention or miscalculation – should ever be able to threaten the annihilation of states and cities.

3. We need to disincentivize the demand for a nuclear arsenal that costs us trillions of dollars and could be going to the actual needs of our communities: healthcare, education, housing, solutions to the climate crisis, and much more.

4. Nuclear detonation anywhere in the world would cause detrimental changes to our planet, causing long-term impacts to human health and security worldwide.

5. A No First Use policy would in no way reduce our ability to deter nuclear-armed adversaries who fear a nuclear counterattack.

We ask you to join Rep. Adam Smith and Sen. Elizabeth Warren and cosponsor the No First Use Act.