Democrats Introduce Bill to Restrict Presidential Authority for Nuclear Strikes
Date
4/16/2023 5:57:02 AM
(MENAFN) In an effort to ensure that the United States president does not have unilateral authority to start a nuclear war, Democrats in the House and Senate have introduced the 'Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act'. This bill, introduced by Senator Ed Markey and Representative Ted Lieu, seeks to force the White House to seek Congressional approval before ordering a nuclear strike. The proposed legislation also aims to reaffirm lawmakers' war powers under the United States Constitution. Senator Markey stated that "no president has the right or the constitutional authority to unilaterally declare war, let alone launch a nuclear first strike," while Representative Lieu added that such immense power should not rest with any one person.
The lawmakers went on to accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of posing nuclear threats, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as evidence of the increasing risk of nuclear warfare. However, the Kremlin has dismissed these accusations, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that the United States and its allies are prone to "hysterical reactions" when it comes to the subject of nuclear arms.
The introduction of this bill comes amid growing concerns over the potential use of nuclear weapons and the desire to ensure that such a catastrophic event is not triggered by the actions of a single individual. While the bill faces an uphill battle in Congress, it highlights the need for a broader conversation about the use and regulation of nuclear weapons in the modern era.
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