Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Joins Bicameral Group of Leaders in Warning Against the Trump Administration Resuming Explosive Nuclear Testing

HOUSTON, TX – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) joined a bicameral letter co-signed by 80 colleagues in the House of Representatives and the Senate in urging the President not to resume nuclear testing after a 28-year hiatus. The legislators expressed that this is unnecessary and will have vast implications for the nation's foreign policy and national security.

In a letter to the President, the legislators wrote, "We are deeply concerned by recent reports that you are considering a resumption of explosive nuclear testing, something the U.S. has not done since 1992. We urge you in the strongest terms to reject this awful idea both because it is technically unnecessary and because it would represent a dangerous provocation."

The legislators continued, "A return to nuclear testing is not only scientifically and technically unnecessary but also dangerously provocative. It would signal to the world that the U.S. no longer has confidence in the safety, security, and effectiveness of our nuclear weapons. It would needlessly antagonize important allies, cause other countries to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, and prompt adversaries to respond in kind—risking a new nuclear arms race and further undermining the global nonproliferation regime. None of these developments would improve America's national security or strengthen its position in the world."

Congresswoman Garcia said on the matter, "This President's decision to resume nuclear testing is yet another example of his disregard for the long-term national security and foreign policy objectives of the United States. This 28-year hiatus on nuclear testing has been supported by Republican and Democratic administrations alike for nearly three decades because it has made the world safer and more secure. It would be a misguided mistake for President Trump to resume explosive nuclear testing."

The legislators also sent copies of the letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Energy Secretary Dan Broulliette.

A copy of today's letter is available here.

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services Committees.