Bill > HR5951

This bill establishes a comprehensive legislative process requiring Congressional approval before the United States can conduct explosive nuclear testing. Specifically, the bill mandates that no nuclear testing can occur unless one of two conditions are met: either a foreign state conducts a nuclear test, or there is a demonstrated technical need for testing. In either scenario, the President must submit a detailed notification to Congress at least 180 days before proposed testing, including information about the proposed test, reasons for conducting it, technical needs, alternative options, cost estimates, and national security justifications. For testing proposed due to a technical need, the bill creates an expedited congressional review process where a joint resolution of approval must be passed, requiring a two-thirds vote in the Senate. The bill carefully defines "explosive nuclear testing" to exclude subcritical experiments and fusion experiments, and defines "technical need" as a determination by specified officials that a test is necessary to resolve issues of safety, reliability, performance, or military effectiveness of a nuclear weapon. The legislation aims to provide robust Congressional oversight of potential nuclear testing while maintaining flexibility for national security requirements.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5951/all-info