This legislative ask is designed to be shared with your members of Congress and their staff.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) imposes common sense limits on both the United States and Russia’s nuclear weapons. The treaty was extended on February 3, 2021, but is set to expire on February 5, 2026. If nothing replaces New START, both the United States and Russia could rapidly expand their nuclear weapons arsenals for the first time in 35 years.

To help keep these limits in place and avoid a dangerous nuclear arms race, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11) introduced H.Res. 100 in the House, and Sen. Edward Markey (MA) introduced a companion resolution S.Res. 61 in the Senate.

Please support continued arms control agreements with Russia by cosponsoring H.Res. 100 or S.Res. 61.

These resolutions call on the United States and Russia to pursue a follow-on agreement after the expiration of New START in February 2026 and recommends the two countries adhere to the limits of the treaty until the new framework is negotiated. They also call for talks with China to reduce nuclear risks.

Co-sponsoring the resolutions would:

  • Signal Congress’ commitment to preventing a three-way arms race. Without a follow-on agreement to New START, there’s a risk of a new nuclear arms race between the U.S. and Russia. This would likely push China to follow suit, further raising tensions between all three countries.
  • Recognize and condemn Russia’s irresponsible use of nuclear threats. Russia’s use of nuclear threats during its invasion of Ukraine is dangerous and irresponsible. Supporting these resolutions shows the U.S. is serious about holding Russia to its commitments and maintaining important limits that keep everyone safer.
  • Bolster U.S. national security interests. A world with more nuclear weapons is less stable and more dangerous. Across Republican and Democratic administrations, U.S. policy has supported arms control to limit nuclear dangers and prevent proliferation. Indeed, President Trump said earlier this year, “We can’t let nuclear weapons proliferate. We have to stop nuclear weapons. The power is too great.” Continuing this leadership protects both U.S. and global security.

Contact: Allen Hester, Legislative Representative, Nuclear Disarmament and Pentagon Spending, ahester@fcnl.org