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No START Treaty Act
3/12/2024, 2:08 AM
Summary of Bill S 1674
The bill argues that the current START treaty, which was signed in 2010 and renewed in 2021, is not in the best interest of the United States. It claims that the treaty places limitations on the US military's ability to develop and deploy new nuclear weapons, while allowing Russia to modernize its nuclear arsenal.
Proponents of the bill argue that the US should not be bound by an agreement that they believe is unfair and puts the country at a strategic disadvantage. They believe that the US should have the freedom to pursue its own nuclear weapons development without being constrained by international agreements. Opponents of the bill argue that the START treaty is an important tool for maintaining global stability and preventing a nuclear arms race. They believe that withdrawing from the treaty would undermine US credibility on the world stage and could lead to increased tensions with Russia. Overall, the No START Treaty Act is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about the US's role in international arms control agreements. It remains to be seen whether the bill will ultimately be passed by Congress and signed into law.
Congressional Summary of S 1674
No START Treaty Act
This bill sets requirements for certain nuclear arms agreements with Russia and bars the expenditure of funds to implement the New START Treaty (a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia signed April 8, 2010) or similar future agreements unless such requirements are met.
The bill prohibits the President from negotiating or entering into a treaty with Russia that would allow Russia to possess an equal or greater number of nuclear warheads or nuclear-capable delivery systems than the United States unless the treaty or agreement
- restricts the size of China's nuclear arsenal;
- includes measures to ensure that Russia and China are compliant with the terms of the treaty;
- includes inspections of Chinese nuclear facilities comparable to those for Russian facilities;
- includes current and future Russian strategic nuclear arms not currently limited by the New START Treaty (e.g., intercontinental hypersonic glide vehicles); and
- includes current and future non-strategic nuclear weapons and delivery systems.
In the absence of a ratified treaty incorporating such provisions, the President is prohibited from reducing the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal or entering into an agreement with Russia or China to limit or reduce U.S. missile defenses.
Beginning one year after the bill's enactment, no funds may be expended to implement the New START Treaty, or any future agreement with Russia that limits the number of U.S. nuclear warheads or nuclear capable delivery systems, unless the above requirements are included or already in effect or a waiver is approved.
