Urgent Action: Tell the Senate to Support the Kennedy-Feinstein Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill

["The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation" <wagingpeace at in.optinpro.com>]

URGENT ACTION:
TELL THE SENATE TO SUPPORT THE KENNEDY-FEINSTEIN
AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

On Tuesday, 8 June 2004 , the US Senate will take up and vote on the
Kennedy-Feinstein Amendment that will cut all funds requested by the
Bush Administration for new nuclear weapons programs. The amendment,
sponsored by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA),
will cut $27.5 million in funding for research of the Robust Nuclear
Earth Penetrator ("bunker busters") and $9 million for other advanced
nuclear weapons concepts, including "mini-nukes." These programs will
not protect Americans and will only diminish the nation's security.

Call, email and fax your Senators today and ask them to support the
Kennedy-Feinstein Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill.

To find your senators, visit the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation's Online
Action Center: http://capwiz.com/wagingpeace/dbq/officials/

Talking Points:

1.      If used, the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator or "bunker-buster"
- which will be a high-yield nuclear weapon - would put at risk the
lives of US service personnel and innocent civilians as well as create
massive collateral damage. "Bunker-busters" would spread intensely
radioactive fallout over a wide area and spread dangerous contaminants,
especially if buried stockpiles of chemical and/or biological weapons
were targeted.
2.      The development of new advanced nuclear weapons concepts,
including "mini-nukes," blurs the line between conventional and nuclear
weapons, increasing the likelihood they will be used in conflict and
encouraging other nations to also view nuclear weapons as usable.
3.      The development of new nuclear weapons undermines the
Non-Proliferation Treaty and will provoke new arms races and likely
prompt the resumption of nuclear testing by China , Russia and others.
4.      These programs will not protect Americans and only diminish the
nation's security.

The amendment reads:

SEC. 3122. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR NEW NUCLEAR WEAPONS
DEVELOPMENT UNDER STOCKPILE SERVICES ADVANCED CONCEPTS INITIATIVE OR FOR
ROBUST NUCLEAR EARTH PENETRATOR.

None of the funds authorized to be appropriated by section 3101(a)(1)
for the National Nuclear Security Administration for weapons activities
may be obligated or expended for the following:

(1) The Stockpile Services Advanced Concepts Initiative for the support
of new nuclear weapons development.

(2) The Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP).

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