Bill · S. 3106· Senate(119-S-3106)
No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act
- Introduced
- 11/5/2025
- Last activity
- 11/5/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Sponsored by
- Catherine Cortez Masto
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act" prevents the United States from resuming explosive nuclear testing without the approval of Congress. Testing may only be considered if a foreign state conducts a test or if there is a technical need. The President must notify Congress at least 180 days in advance with a detailed explanation and cost estimate. To proceed, a joint resolution must be enacted into law. In most cases, including responses to foreign testing, passage in the Senate requires a two-thirds majority vote.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
Requires detailed notification and congressional approval before resuming nuclear testing.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
Prevents nuclear explosive testing which minimizes potential environmental contamination.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+2
Requires the President to engage with the Governor of the state where testing would occur.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
Reduces the unilateral authority of the President to initiate nuclear testing.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Oversight: The bill requires the President to submit a detailed notification to Congress, including the reasons for testing, cost estimates, and timelines, ensuring government transparency under Section 2(a)(2).
-
State Government Involvement: If testing is based on a technical need, the President must provide a description of their engagement with the Governor of the State where the testing would occur, as stated in Section 2(a)(2)(A)(ii)(B)(dd).
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Higher Bar for Resuming Tests: By requiring a two-thirds vote in the Senate for testing proposed after a foreign state conducts a test, the bill makes it more difficult to resume nuclear explosions without broad agreement, per Section 2(a)(1)(C)(i)(II).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed Response to Technical Issues: The requirement for a 180-day notification period and congressional approval may slow down the ability to address urgent issues regarding the safety or reliability of nuclear weapons, as outlined in Section 2(a)(1)(B) and Section 2(a)(5)(B).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power-3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+2
- 11/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 4 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.
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada