The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a bill that has been passed by Congress every year for over 50 years. Most authorization bills are taken up once every two-five years, but Congress has a special affinity for the military authorization bill—often calling it a “must-pass” bill. This year will be no different.

Last year, the fiscal year (FY) 2012 NDAA became synonymous with indefinite detention due to provisions included that allow for detention of U.S. citizens by the U.S. military. President Obama signed the NDAA on December 31, 2012, after it was passed by both chambers. Often forgotten, however, are some of the other momentum-building votes that happened on amendments to the FY2012 NDAA.

Dec 12, 2011

Twenty Years of Success: Celebrating the Anniversary of Nunn-Lugar

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the historic Nunn-Lugar program which helps to dismantle nuclear weapons and safeguard nuclear material around the world.

Oct 19, 2011

Cut the Deficit by Cutting Nuclear Weapons

Rep. Ed. Markey has received criticism for his efforts to reduce funding for nuclear weapons. Here's why I think this criticism is wrong.

Dec 27, 2010

Success! Senate Ratifies New START

On Wednesday, December 22, the Senate ratified the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, by a vote of 71 to 26. The treaty would reduce the number of U.S. and Russian deployed strategic nuclear weapons by 30 percent, from 2,200 to 1,550 each.

Dec 16, 2010

START Debate Started

Last week Sens. Collins, and Snowe endorsed the New START Treaty and Sen. Scott Brown called for a vote on the New START Treaty. In comments on the Senate floor during debate on New START, Sen. Isakson endorsed the treaty. In announcing their support of New START, they are joining our diplomats, military leaders, and foreign policy establishment in calling for a reduction in the number of nuclear weapons.

Dec 13, 2010

Success: Four Republican Senators Publically Support New START

Nov 23, 2010

Will the Senate Vote on New START This Year?

Senators left Washington for the Thanksgiving break without scheduling a vote on ratification of the New START Treaty with Russia. Now the question is will the Senate vote on the treaty when Congress returns for the second half of the lame duck session on November 29?

Nov 22, 2010

Budget Puzzle

On November 13th the New York Times launched an online interactive you-fix-the-deficit-puzzle. The Budget Puzzle allows readers to pick and choose what they would cut from the budget or what taxes they would raise in order to close the ballooning deficit. The puzzle has been well received with over 1 million views.

Nov 16, 2010

Friendly Persuasion at the New START Lobby Day

The first floor atrium of Hart Senate Office Building looked like an extension of FCNL’s Annual Meeting in the late morning hours of Monday, November 15. Or at least that was the impression that one visitor had as FCNL grassroots lobbyists fanned out across the Senate to talk about the importance of ratifying the New START Treaty with Russia during the lame duck session of Congress.

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