1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) expires on February 5, 2026. This is the last remaining agreement limiting U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals. Without it, both nations will be free to build unlimited nuclear weapons without oversight, transparency, or verification mechanisms. I urge you to publicly support U.S.-Russia negotiations to extend New START limits and verification procedures for the long term. Congress must take a leadership role in ensuring these protections remain in place, as the current administration has shown insufficient commitment to this critical issue. When asked about the treaty's expiration, President Trump said "if it expires, it expires," despite earlier expressions of support for maintaining limits. The previous nuclear arms race brought the world to the brink of nuclear war while wasting billions in taxpayer dollars that could have supported communities instead. Nuclear weapons testing from that era destroyed ecosystems and poisoned communities for generations. We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes. Russia has proposed extending observance of the treaty's limits while negotiating a longer-term agreement. This approach would maintain current safeguards and prevent a dangerous gap where both nations could expand their arsenals unchecked. Allowing New START to lapse without a replacement risks triggering a new arms race before any alternative framework exists. Congress has the authority and responsibility to shape foreign policy through oversight and funding decisions. I ask that you use your position to demand that this administration prioritize extending New START for decades to come, not just a short-term patch. Additionally, I urge you to oppose any resumption of U.S. explosive nuclear testing. The stakes are too high to leave this to an administration that has shown it will not act decisively. Please make your support for extending New START public and hold this administration accountable for protecting humanity's future.