Ask Your Senators to Support the Global Ban on Nuclear Test Explosions!

Jun 8, 2010

Ask Your Senators to Support the Global Ban on Nuclear Test Explosions!

The United States was the first nation to sign the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which outlaws all nuclear weapon test explosions. Today, the treaty has been signed by over 180 nations and ratified by over 150, but the United States has still not ratified.

The United States cannot effectively convince other nations to ratify the CTBT until and unless we do. U.S. ratification of the CTBT requires approval of the treaty by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.

The United States has more to gain from the CTBT than any other nation. The United States has not conducted a nuclear test explosion for almost 20 years and does not need nuclear tests to maintain an effective nuclear arsenal. Yet U.S. ratification of the CTBT is essential to preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to terrorists and additional states.

Sample Letter

Dear Senator:


As you know, in 1996 the United States became the first nation to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which bans all nuclear testing and establishes a global verification network with short-notice, on-site inspections. Today, the treaty has been signed by over 180 nations and ratified by over 150, but the United States has still not ratified.


A growing list of bipartisan leaders agree that ratifying the CTBT would make America safer by preventing other states, including China, from building new and more deadly types of nuclear weapons. Without nuclear weapon test explosions, would-be nuclear-armed nations—like Iran—would not be able to proof test more advanced, smaller nuclear warhead designs that could be used to arm ballistic missiles.


For these and other reasons, serious national security leaders such as former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Secretary of Defense William Perry, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former Senator Sam Nunn, and former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft all support the CTBT.


The United States has more to gain from the CTBT than any other nation. The United States has not conducted a nuclear test for almost 20 years and does not need nuclear tests to maintain an effective nuclear arsenal. Yet U.S. ratification of the CTBT is essential to bring the treaty into force and improve our ability to detect and deter testing by other states.


I respectfully request that you publicly express your support for the CTBT and when it comes up for a vote in the Senate.