Legislators contend national security is at risk.
Ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, Representatives Michael McCaul of Texas and Mike Rogers of Alabama sent a letter to President Biden’s administration requiring answers about its proposed changes to America’s use of nuclear weapons. The secretaries of both the State and Defense Departments have been asked to provide clarifications.
In their letter, the representatives wrote, “Given our oversight responsibilities, as well as ongoing considerations of the National Defense Authorization Act, we respectfully request that you provide our respective committees with a copy of the ‘Sole Purpose Questionnaire,’ copies of each response received from U.S. allies, and any other cables or memos conveying ally views regarding a potential change in U.S. nuclear declaratory policy. We request the materials be delivered no later than November 19, 2021. We appreciate your consideration of these important matters of U.S. national security.”
Their actions are in response to the State Department saying it’s seeking to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security. Lawmakers worry such a policy shift would give another strategic advantage to China. The State Department’s statement highlighted “taking steps to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in the U.S. national security strategy, while ensuring the U.S. strategic deterrent remains safe, secure, and effective, and that U.S. extended deterrence commitments to U.S. allies remain strong and credible.”
Concerns among legislators began to emerge when then-former-Vice President Biden suggested he may support a “no first-use” policy back in 2017, saying “given our non-nuclear capabilities and the nature of today’s threats, it’s hard to envision a plausible scenario in which the first use of nuclear weapons by the United States would be necessary. Or make sense.”
In the meantime, U.S. allies are lobbying President Biden not to change American policy on the use of nuclear weapons amid concerns the president is considering a “no first use” declaration that could undermine long-established deterrence strategies aimed at Russia and China.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president and his State and Defense Departments to be wise and cautious in changing America’s nuclear deterrence policies.
- For members of Congress as concerns increase over China’s growing number of nuclear weapons and expanded hypersonic delivery systems.
- For America’s allies, including Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, and Taiwan as they seek a review of the proposed policy changes.
Sources: One America News, Twitter, Financial Times
