Reading Room


Californians Have a Unique Opportunity to Take President Trump’s Finger Away from the Nuclear “Red Button”

Saturday, February 24, 2018
Posted by Marylia Kelley

Many of you may be familiar with Rep. Ted Lieu’s bill, HR669, and its companion measure in the Senate, S.200. These bills would restrict the President's ability to launch a nuclear first strike on his sole, unchecked authority. Now we have a California measure, Assembly Joint Resolution 30, that if passed will throw our state's full support behind the national bills.

ACTION: Call, write or email your CA Assemblymember to ask him/her to join California Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) by supporting the Resolution she introduced, AJR 30. All of the info you need to take action is a quick “click” away.

CONTACT: The state has a great website at: http://assembly.ca.gov/
You can also go directly to: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

TALKING POINTS:

  • The President’s absolute nuclear authority is a direct threat to Californians. Moreover, it is dangerous and contrary to basic principles of democracy for a single person to be able to unilaterally launch a first strike with nuclear weapons.
  • Trump’s bellicose rhetoric directed toward North Korea could spark a nuclear exchange that could endanger California directly (along with our beautiful planet).
  • The California State Assembly can have a major impact and reduce the risk of nuclear war. Our state can set the example for others and send a strong message to Congress to pass HR669 and S200 to make California and the world safer.

For more information to inform your phone call, email or letter, here is an article from the Lake County Record-Bee announcing Assembly Joint Resolution 30.

Take button away from Trump?

Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 30, urging Congress to assert its role in the approval of acts of war in a nuclear first-strike scenario.

The statement backs HR 669, authored by California Representative Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), which would prohibit the President from unilaterally authorizing the deployment of nuclear weapons in an offensive attack absent express authorization from Congress. The proposed legislation does not impede a President’s ability to respond in-kind to a nuclear attack on the United States.

HR 669 is co-sponsored by Representatives Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove) and Thompson (D-St. Helena) along with 18 other California Members of Congress. AJR 30 by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry adds the California State Legislature to the many voices calling for every member of California’s Congressional Delegation to also support the balance of powers proposed in HR 669.

“Having the unilateral power to obliterate entire nations is too much power for any one human being, regardless of party. The law proposed in HR 669 should apply to every U.S. President, but it is especially important for someone as temperamental as President Donald Trump,” said Aguiar-Curry. “A nuclear holocaust isn’t Twitter, Mr. President. You can’t fire away and then hit the delete button after taking things too far… Passing this law is a smart and measured protection for all Americans.”

Said Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove), “I thank Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for introducing this resolution. Heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula are a significant concern for all Americans, and especially those on the West Coast. HR669 is a crucial bill that will prevent this president, or any other, from launching a first strike with nuclear weapons. It will significantly reduce the threat of a nuclear confrontation and make Americans everywhere much safer. It should be common sense that America will not strike first with nuclear weapons.”

AJR 30 will be heard in a policy committee in early spring.
(Photo is of Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry)