Bill · S. 192· Senate(119-S-192)
Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/22/2025
- Last activity
- 1/22/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Sponsored by
- Edward Markey
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025 seeks to limit the circumstances under which the United States can initiate a nuclear strike. It establishes a policy that no first-use nuclear strike should occur without a formal declaration of war by Congress. To enforce this, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for such a strike unless Congress has expressly authorized it through a declaration of war. This definition applies specifically to attacks conducted without prior confirmation of a nuclear strike against the U.S., its territories, or its allies.
Yes· 3 of 28
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+3
Requiring a declaration of war shifts the nuclear posture toward more deliberate and diplomatically scrutinized actions.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+2
By preventing unnecessary first-use strikes, the bill reduces the likelihood of large-scale military engagement.
Does this strengthen ties with allied countries?+2
The bill protects allies by ensuring nuclear strikes are only conducted following a formal congressional declaration of war.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Checks and Balances: By requiring a declaration of war, the bill aims to ensure that the decision to use nuclear weapons is made by the people's representatives rather than a single person (Section 2(a)).
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Reduction of Existential Risk: The bill addresses the finding that nuclear weapons can kill millions and create long-term health and environmental consequences, potentially protecting the population from the consequences of a first-use strike (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Protection of Global Peace: The act seeks to prevent strikes that could undermine global peace and expose the United States to retaliatory nuclear strikes (Section 2(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly detailed within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+2Good For African Americans+1Good For Asian Americans+1Good For Farmers+1Good For Gun Owners+1Good For High Income Households+1Good For Hispanic Americans+1Good For Immigrants+1Good For L G B T Q Community+1Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Men+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Native Americans+1Good For People With Disabilities+1Good For Retirees+1Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Students+1Good For Union Workers+1Good For Urban Residents+1Good For White Americans+1Good For Women+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Diplomatic Engagement+3Improves International Alliances+2Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2Improves Due Process+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 4/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts