Key Takeaways

• President Trump ordered the U.S. to resume nuclear testing, raising global alarm.
• Senator Ed Markey introduced an emergency bill to block any funding for such tests.
• The bill stops funds for explosive nuclear tests through fiscal year 2026.
• Experts warn that renewed nuclear testing could spark a new arms race.
• Markey urges Senate ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
• Advocacy groups and analysts say the move could undermine global stability.

President Trump’s surprise order to restart nuclear testing shocked many. He argued that new tests would update old weapons. However, opponents say we have not tested since 1992 for good reasons. Senator Ed Markey stepped in to block any shift. He introduced an emergency bill to deny funds for nuclear testing. If successful, the bill could keep us from entering a new arms race.

Why Nuclear Testing Matters

Nuclear testing involves setting off explosive devices to measure yield and safety. For decades, the United States and other nations paused these tests to curb proliferation. Stopping nuclear testing helped stabilize global relations. It also kept dangerous radiation out of the air and water. Now, a single order threatens to undo that progress.

Renewed testing could provoke other powers to return to their own tests. It could also erode trust in treaties that limit arms. Russia and China have watched closely. They may respond by ramping up their own programs. That would raise tensions and risk miscalculation. Moreover, tests release radioactive material that can harm nearby communities.

What Markey’s Bill Does

Senator Markey’s two-page bill is simple. It states that no funds for fiscal year 2026 or earlier may go toward any explosive nuclear test. The measure bars money “to conduct or make preparations for any explosive nuclear weapons test that produces any yield.” In plain terms, it cuts off the budget for any step toward a blast.

This emergency bill would take effect as soon as Congress enacts it. It would block funds from the Energy Department’s nuclear weapons labs and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Without money, the U.S. cannot resume full weapon trials. That keeps both infrastructure and staff from gearing up to detonate a device.

Markey called the plan “a mistake of radioactive proportions.” He warned that any Trump-directed jumpstart of tests would make the nation less safe. He stressed that no new tests have happened since 1992. He argued that the U.S. has all the data it needs to maintain its arsenal safely. Restarting tests, he said, would only fuel global fears.

Global Reactions and Risks

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, a U.K.-based group, blasted the testing order. They called it a “wake-up call” that nuclear war risks are real and growing. The group also noted other steps by the U.S. that raise alarms. These include the “Golden Dome” missile shield plan and the AUKUS agreement to share nuclear submarine tech.

Experts at think tanks joined the outcry. Pavel Devyatkin of the Quincy Institute wrote that new tests mark a “dangerous turning point.” He said tests could undermine the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, set to expire in February 2026. If New START lapses, no binding limits would exist on U.S. and Russian warheads.

Some Republicans in Congress expressed concern, too. They worry that resuming nuclear testing could break years of bipartisan progress. Others see Trump’s order as a political move ahead of next year’s election. Yet many defense analysts say tests offer no clear boost to national security.

The Push for a Test Ban Treaty

Alongside the bill, Markey urged the Senate to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. First adopted by the U.N. in 1996, it bans all nuclear explosions. So far, 185 nations have signed and 178 have ratified it. The U.S. signed long ago but never completed the Senate vote.

Ratifying this treaty would cement U.S. opposition to any return to nuclear testing. It would also pressure other holdouts to join. China’s ratification, for example, would send a strong signal against any future tests. That step could strengthen global norms and slow arms buildups.

Critics of the treaty say it could limit weapons modernization. They worry about technical changes to nuclear warheads without live tests. However, supporters point out that advanced computer models and subcritical tests help maintain safety without full blasts. They argue that no real military need justifies defying an international ban.

What Comes Next

Senator Markey plans to seek quick hearings in the Senate Armed Services Committee. He hopes to rally fellow Democrats and some Republicans. The bill needs 60 votes in the Senate to overcome any filibuster. Then it must pass the House and reach the president’s desk.

Time is tight. Fiscal year 2026 funding discussions start soon. If lawmakers move fast, they can block money before labs restart preparations. If they stall, Trump could tap existing budgets to begin planning drills or even full tests.

Public pressure may prove crucial. Advocacy groups ask citizens to call their senators. They suggest sharing stories of nuclear test survivors. They also urge letters to newspapers and town hall questions. Grassroots action could tip the balance in a closely divided Senate.

Meanwhile, diplomatic partners watch closely. U.S. allies worry that tests may undo decades of arms control progress. They want Washington to stick to its non-testing record. They also hope the Senate ratifies the test ban treaty to strengthen cohesion among friendly nations.

In all, the fight over nuclear testing may shape the future of global arms control. It could define whether the world moves toward disarmament or slides back into a dangerous competition. As both sides mobilize, the next few months will prove critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty?

The treaty bans all nuclear explosions worldwide. It aims to halt arms races and stop environmental harm from tests. Most nations have ratified it, but the U.S. Senate has not.

Why has the U.S. not tested since 1992?

After the Cold War, leaders saw no need for new tests. They relied on advanced computer simulations and subcritical experiments to ensure weapon safety.

Could Russia or China restart tests too?

Yes. Experts warn that U.S. tests could push them to resume their own programs. This would heighten global tensions and nuclear risks.

How can people help block new tests?

Citizens can contact their senators, join advocacy campaigns, and attend public forums. Raising awareness can pressure lawmakers to support bills that prohibit nuclear testing.