PEP Goes to Washington

Mary Ann McGivern and I have returned from Washington replete with new insights into the world of nuclear advocacy. The legislative process is even more fascinating up close, and it felt good to participate in such an elaborate conference. The air was electric with palpable power, and it was truly humbling to be in the presence of such potential for change, which is regrettably so often squandered. We did our part to combat that inertia, however, by bringing the issues PEP is passionate about directly to Congress. 

The Alliance for Nuclear Accountability arranged everything for our meetings during DC Days, including an all-day orientation the Sunday before our three days of meetings. They briefed us on both environmental and political aspects of United States nuclear policy. Many of our colleagues represented communities that have been personally affected by nuclear waste and production contamination. The training introduced us to some very concrete Asks that we could introduce to the people with whom we were to meet. Our DC Days colleagues were very friendly. It was my first time representing PEP, or even lobbying Congress, and everyone was eager to help and willing to share their experience and expertise to help us prepare for our meetings. The entire conference had a very collegial and inspiring energy. 

The Ask most relevant to our work was that congresspeople sign on to the Back From the Brink companion resolutions in both the House and the Senate (Resolutions 317 and 323, respectively). These pieces of proposed legislation reframe United States nuclear policy to focus on disarmament, rather than deterrence. They also expand compensation measures for communities and individuals affected by nuclear contamination and provide transitional mechanisms for transferring military and civilian workers from nuclear production jobs to other areas of the economy. This is better for their health and also aligns with our agenda of building a peace economy to replace the military and prison industrial complexes. 

We also encouraged the staffers with whom we met to consider sending delegates to the review conference on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which takes place this fall at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This was a stretch, given the United States’ current deterrent approach to nuclear policy, but you do not get anything you don’t ask for. At least we made them aware of the option. With the lapse of the New START treaty between the United States and Russia in February, and the stalemate at the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty 5-year review conference (the third conference with no resolution in fifteen years), TPNW is more relevant than ever to ensure our future against a nuclear arms race or, even worse, a future nuclear holocaust. 

ANA also briefed us on the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) plans to expand nuclear weapons production and modernize its arsenal. We already knew about their $1.7 trillion modernization effort, but some of their information was very detailed about the newer weapons that were being rolled out in the escalating nuclear arms race with Russia and China. The NNSA has opened its environmental impact statement on new plutonium pits (which are the core of nuclear warheads) to public comment until July 16, 2026. 

Mary Ann and I met with Missouri Republican Ann Wagner’s office on Monday afternoon. Her aide stated his boss’s pro-deterrence policy, but agreed to take a look at the Back From the Brink resolution. We also discussed cleanup in Missouri nuclear facilities, to which the aide seemed more receptive as a local policy issue. 

On Tuesday, I met with both California Senators: Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla. I asked both staffers to consider sending a delegate to the first review conference for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons this fall. Senator Schiff’s staffer seemed content with the United States lackluster participation in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, but Senator Padilla’s staffer expressed mild interest when she learned that it was in New York, so close to Washington.

On Wednesday, I met with Representative Joaquin Castro’s and Senator Chris Murphy’s offices. I asked both to send a delegate to TPNW’s conference and to consider becoming co-sponsors on the House and Senate Back from the Brink companion resolutions. Representative Castro actually stopped by the office just as we concluded our meeting. His aide expressed a serious commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and admitted that their office believes that it will be a pivotal issue over the next decade. Senator Murphy’s aides also seemed interested. We told them that there was a public comment period on the NNSA’s environmental impact statement and they noted the deadline specifically. 

We had a blast in Washington, and we were honored to represent PEP at DC Days. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (rashellkhan@gmail.com) or Mary Ann (maryann.mcgivern@gmail.com). Thank you again for your dedicated support.