LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Congresswoman Dina Titus and Congressman Ted Lieu held a joint news conference at the Atomic Museum on Saturday.
They addressed concerns over the expiration of the New START arms control treaty and President Trump’s announcement to resume explosive nuclear testing.
“The reason we’re here is that’s so important is just two days ago, the START Treaty expired. Now that’s the treaty that put limits on how many nuclear weapons we can have.”
This is the last treaty that is “on the books,” and it is uncertain what can happen because there would be no limitations, and the country needs a new treaty that will be upheld by law, according to Tutus.
Congressman Lieu says, “We need to make sure that we reduce the number of nuclear weapons, and unfortunately, the Trump Administration has let the New START Treaty expire. That means that both Russia and the United States are now unconstrained in building additional nuclear weapons.”
Concerns are mounting over potential radiation risks for residents living downwind of the Nevada Test Site.
Experts have warned that renewed nuclear testing at the site could ignite a new Cold War, with Russia and China potentially expanding their nuclear arsenals in response.
Titus and Lieu emphasized the need for a new arms control treaty and legislation to prevent unilateral resumption of testing by the president.
Both the United States and Russia have over 5,000 nuclear warheads.
The event concluded with a tour of the museum, showcasing Nevada’s nuclear testing history.