Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill requires Congress to approve any decision by the President to resume explosive nuclear testing in the United States. Under current law, the President can conduct such testing; this legislation adds a congressional check by requiring the President to notify Congress at least 180 days in advance with detailed information about the proposed test, including its purpose, costs, timeline, and any alternatives considered. If a foreign country conducts a nuclear test first, Congress must pass a joint resolution approving U.S. testing by a two-thirds majority in the Senate. If the testing is justified only by technical needs—such as maintaining nuclear weapon safety or reliability—Congress can use expedited procedures, though Senate passage still requires a two-thirds vote. The bill sets strict timelines for committee review (60 days) and floor consideration (120 days in the House, 10 hours of Senate debate) and applies these requirements to all future explosive nuclear testing unless it occurs in response to a foreign nuclear test, which triggers a different approval process. The legislation was introduced in November 2025 and referred to the House Armed Services and Rules Committees.
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