Funding Low-Yield Nuclear Weapons Heightens the Risks of Nuclear War

Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement on the defeat of her amendment to defund the $65 million allocated for low-yield nuclear weapons:

"There is no such thing as a small nuclear weapon. Spending $65 million on a low-yield nuclear weapon - with unprecedented submarine-launch capability - heightens the risk of nuclear war. We should be de-escalating tensions with our allies, not provoking a new nuclear arms race.

"I am disappointed that Congress rejected this amendment, which would have directed these funds to nuclear nonproliferation accounts. This program is critical to reducing the spread of nuclear weapons here at home and abroad. Instead of sinking more money into nuclear weapons that don't enhance our national security, we should be preventing the proliferation of nuclear material and enforcing the treaties and arms control agreements on the books.

"Given the instability in the world and in this White House, provoking nuclear brinksmanship is beyond reckless. Congress should be building peace and diplomacy, not inviting a miscalculation with nuclear consequences."