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No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act

USA119th CongressS-3106| Senate 
| Updated: 11/5/2025
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (5)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Armed Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act," establishes a requirement for explicit Congressional approval before the United States can conduct any explosive nuclear testing. It amends the Atomic Energy Defense Act to prohibit such testing unless specific conditions are met. These conditions include either a foreign state conducting an explosive nuclear test or a demonstrated technical need for testing. Before any testing can proceed, the President must submit a detailed notification to Congress at least 180 days in advance. This notification must describe the proposed testing, state the reasons, assess alternatives if for technical need, and estimate timelines and costs. Ultimately, a joint resolution approving the testing must be enacted into law. The approval process varies based on the reason for testing. If testing is proposed in response to a foreign nuclear test, the joint resolution requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the Senate. For testing driven by a technical need concerning nuclear weapon safety or reliability, the bill outlines expedited legislative procedures in both the House and Senate, but still mandates a two-thirds Senate vote for passage. The bill also defines explosive nuclear testing to exclude subcritical experiments and certain fusion research.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4099
No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act
Nov 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Nov 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Nov 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5951
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4099
    No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act


  • November 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.


  • November 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5951
    Introduced in House

Congress

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5951: No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act

No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act

USA119th CongressS-3106| Senate 
| Updated: 11/5/2025
This bill, titled the "No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act," establishes a requirement for explicit Congressional approval before the United States can conduct any explosive nuclear testing. It amends the Atomic Energy Defense Act to prohibit such testing unless specific conditions are met. These conditions include either a foreign state conducting an explosive nuclear test or a demonstrated technical need for testing. Before any testing can proceed, the President must submit a detailed notification to Congress at least 180 days in advance. This notification must describe the proposed testing, state the reasons, assess alternatives if for technical need, and estimate timelines and costs. Ultimately, a joint resolution approving the testing must be enacted into law. The approval process varies based on the reason for testing. If testing is proposed in response to a foreign nuclear test, the joint resolution requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in the Senate. For testing driven by a technical need concerning nuclear weapon safety or reliability, the bill outlines expedited legislative procedures in both the House and Senate, but still mandates a two-thirds Senate vote for passage. The bill also defines explosive nuclear testing to exclude subcritical experiments and certain fusion research.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-4099
No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act
Nov 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Nov 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Nov 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5951
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-4099
    No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act


  • November 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.


  • November 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5951
    Introduced in House
Catherine Cortez Masto

Catherine Cortez Masto

Democratic Senator

Nevada

Cosponsors (5)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Christopher A. Coons (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Mark Kelly (Democratic)

Armed Services Committee

Congress

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5951: No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted