Anti-War Group Urges Legislators to Back Anti-Nuke Bill

From Alternet:

In the wake of the economic crisis, municipalities across the US have reduced vital services due to federal spending cutbacks. But one House representative knows an area where it makes sense for the federal government to cut back: nuclear weapons spending. And now, a Peace Action New York State petition is urging more representatives to support Edward Markey’s (D-MA) bill to reduce the US nuclear weapons budget.

Last month, Markey introduced the Smarter Approach to Nuclear Expenditures Act (H.R. 3974). It’s in line with President Barack Obama’s vision of a world free of nuclear weapons--a vision that has run into right-wing opposition.

The SANE act, the name of which is a nod to past anti-nuclear activism, would, as Lawrence Wittner explains, "cut $100 billion from the U.S. nuclear weapons budget over the next ten years by reducing the current fleet of U.S. nuclear submarines, delaying the purchase of new nuclear submarines, reducing the number of ICBMs, delaying a new bomber program, and ending the nuclear mission of air bombers."

Markey’s bill has garnered 45 co-sponsors. Peace Action New York State, which notes that seven members of the New York Congressional delegation have signed on, is calling for more co-sponsors. A lobby day around the SANE act organized by the peace group is set to take place in New York this Spring.

“Given the current economic crisis, it is wasteful to spend billions of dollars to maintain and improve nuclear weapons and their delivery systems,” the petition reads in part. “We ask that you co-sponsor H.R. 3974 to show your support for returning federal spending priorities to support human needs and not excessive militarism.”

You can sign the petition here, and read the text of Markey’s bill here.