CUT FUNDING FOR NEW NUCLEAR WEAPONS!

The Bush Administration wants to develop new "usable" nuclear weapons and we need your help to stop them! Last year, grassroots action from people like you and the leadership of Republican Representative David Hobson of Ohio successfully thwarted the administration's funding request. This year, the Bush Administration has again requested funds to develop smaller nuclear weapons with "bunker busting" capabilities to destroy underground targets.Earlier this year, the House of Representatives agreed to remove the latest request for funds in the Department of Energy budget. However, the Senate committee in charge of the request has approved the money for the weapons. The Senate may vote on the issue as early as this week or possibly towards mid- July.

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) are expected to offer an amendment to eliminate the funding for the bunker buster included in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill.To ensure that funding for new nuclear weapons is taken out of the budget, it is essential that your Senators hear from you.

Text of petition:
The Bush Administration has once again asked for money to conduct research into a new generation of nuclear weapons: a “nuclear bunker buster.” Senators Feinstein and Kennedy are expected to offer an amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill to eliminate the funds.

The Bush Administration has requested $8.5 million to research these new weapons. The funding is split into two pieces: $4 million in the Department of Energy and $4.5 in the Department of Defense.

Last year, Congress refused to approve any funding for the weapon. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives agreed to remove the latest request for funds in the Department of Energy. However, the Senate committee in charge of the request has approved the money.

Proceeding with these new nuclear weapons would damage U.S. non-proliferation efforts, with devastating consequences for the world.

Furthermore, the United States should be reducing its nuclear stockpiles dramatically, instead of building new ones.

A new study by the National Academy of Sciences has concluded that "earth penetrating nuclear weapons cannot go deep enough to avoid massive casualties at ground level, and they could still kill a million people or more if used in heavily populated areas."

Because these weapons cannot penetrate the earth more than a couple meters, only an extremely high yield weapon could even have a chance of destroying a deeply buried target - further increasing the fallout and casualties on the surface.

Clearly, contrary to Administration claims, these weapons are NOT usable.

Please support Senator Feinstein’s amendment to remove funding for nuclear bunker busters and for other nuclear programs.