Urging the United States to lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war and halt and reverse the nuclear arms race.

Bill Number

H.Res. 317

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

International Affairs

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-06-10T08:07:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 317) urges the United States to take a leading role in preventing nuclear war and reversing the global nuclear arms race. It emphasizes the dangers of existing nuclear weapons and calls for diplomatic efforts toward a world free of them, framing nuclear disarmament as a national security priority.

Key Provisions

The resolution highlights various "Whereas" clauses to build its case, including:

• The reduction of nuclear warheads since the Cold War but the ongoing risk from about 12,000 remaining weapons, mostly held by the US and Russia.
• Scientific warnings about the catastrophic effects of nuclear use, such as global famine, climate disruption, and mass deaths.
• Historical near-misses, current geopolitical tensions (e.g., Russia's invasion of Ukraine, US-China relations over Taiwan), and the US's Cold War-era policies allowing first use of nuclear weapons.
• High costs of modernizing US nuclear forces (estimated at $756 billion over 2023-2032 and over $1.2 trillion over 30 years).
• Past successes in arms control treaties (e.g., reductions under Republican and Democratic administrations) and the impending expiration of the New START Treaty in 2026.
• International efforts like the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (adopted by 122 nations in 2017) and the US moratorium on nuclear testing since 1992.

The core action in the "Resolved" clause calls on the President to:

• Pursue a nuclear-free world as a security imperative.
• Lead global efforts through:
• Negotiations with all nine nuclear-armed states (including Russia and China) for verifiable reductions and elimination of arsenals.
• Renouncing first use of nuclear weapons by all nuclear states.
• Adding checks on the President's sole authority to launch nuclear weapons.
• Ending the "hair-trigger alert" posture (a readiness to launch quickly that risks accidents).
• Halting production of new nuclear warheads and delivery systems to save taxpayer money.
• Upholding the global ban on nuclear explosive testing.
• Remediating environmental damage from nuclear activities and expanding compensation for affected communities and workers (e.g., via the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act).
• Planning economic transitions for workers and communities reliant on nuclear programs.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

As a non-binding resolution, this does not amend or create new laws. It expresses congressional intent and urges policy shifts but lacks enforceable mechanisms. It references existing treaties (e.g., Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, New START) and calls for adherence or new agreements without altering legal obligations.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Could pressure the Department of Defense, State Department, and Energy Department to prioritize diplomacy over nuclear modernization, potentially reducing budgets for new weapons (saving hundreds of billions) but requiring new resources for negotiations and remediation.
• Citizens: Benefits communities near nuclear sites through promised health care, compensation, and environmental cleanup; reduces risks of nuclear accidents or war for all Americans.
• International Relations: Aims to de-escalate tensions with Russia, China, and others by promoting arms control, potentially stabilizing global security but risking strained alliances if seen as weakening US deterrence.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• US Government Officials: The President (for policy leadership), Congress (for oversight and budgeting), and military leaders (for changes to nuclear posture).
• Nuclear-Armed Nations: Russia, China, and seven others (e.g., UK, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel), targeted for negotiations.
• Affected Communities and Workers: People and areas impacted by nuclear testing/production (e.g., downwinders from past tests) seeking compensation; civilian/military workers in nuclear programs facing job transitions.
• Taxpayers and Global Public: US citizens bearing modernization costs; worldwide populations at risk from nuclear threats.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces US commitments under international treaties like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (which requires good-faith disarmament negotiations) and supports the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (signed but not ratified by the US). It highlights the non-binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a framework for elimination.
• Constitutional: Raises questions about the President's sole authority to order nuclear launches (rooted in commander-in-chief powers under Article II), suggesting "checks and balances" that could spark debates on executive versus congressional roles in war powers.
• Political: Bipartisan historical references (e.g., Reagan, Biden) aim for broad appeal, but its anti-modernization stance may divide along partisan lines on defense spending. As an introduced resolution referred to committees (Foreign Affairs and Armed Services), it signals progressive priorities but is unlikely to pass without broader support, potentially influencing future debates on arms control amid expiring treaties.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

Cosponsors (58)

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6] and 8 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-04-09: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-04-09: Submitted in House
• 2025-04-09: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Urging the United States to lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war and halt and reverse the nuclear arms race. — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (7 pages)