Democrats in both houses of Congress are incensed at a report that senior national security officials discussed possibly conducting the country’s first nuclear weapons test since 1992, with House Dems calling the discussion “short-sighted and dangerous.”
A letter signed by five Democrats in the House sent to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette criticized even the consideration of nuclear testing, TheHill.com reported. It was similar to one signed by 80 Democrats in both the House and Senate sent Monday to President Donald Trump in addition to Esper and Brouillette.
Additionally, Nevada Democratic representatives Dina Titus and Steven Horsford introduced a bill on Monday to prevent any resumption of testing.
The letter followed a report in The Washington Post on May 22, quoting anonymous sources, that the issue of resuming testing was discussed at a May 15 meeting of senior security officials after accusations from administration officials that China and Russia are conducting low-yield nuclear tests.
The Post quoted one “senior administration official” that proving the United States could “rapid test” would provide leverage in negotiations with Russia and China as it seeks a trilateral agreement to regulate nuclear arsenals.
The Post quoted one official as saying the issue was “an ongoing conversation,” while quoting another as saying a decision was ultimately made to take other actions to counter the Russians and Chinese.
The only country to knowingly have conducted a nuclear test since the turn of the century is North Korea.
The House Democrats demanded answers to questions in its letter by June 22 and a briefing by June 25.
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