More than thirty House Democrats are asking President Biden to consider relinquishing his authority to launch nuclear weapons.
In a letter sent Tuesday, but released Wednesday, 31 legislators led by the Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) And Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) Urge the commander in chief to “consider changing the decision-making process that the United States uses to command and control nuclear forces. “
“As president, two of his most critical and solemn duties are the security of the country and the safeguarding of its nuclear arsenal,” says the letter, noting that the president’s unique authority to order the use of nuclear weapons guarantees to keep them under control civil.
“However, giving a person that authority involves real risks,” continued Panetta and Lieu.
“Former presidents have threatened to attack other countries with nuclear weapons or exhibited behavior that has caused other officials to express concern about the president’s trial,” the two said, referring to former President Donald Trump’s public feud with the northern leader. -Korean Kim Jong Un.
In terms of alternatives, the two California Democrats suggested a number of options.
One would be to demand that the vice president and the president of the House of Representatives agree with the strike president’s decision.
Another option would be to require certifications from the defense secretary that the strike order was valid, as well as from the attorney general that it was legal.
The two lawmakers also suggested demanding a Congressional declaration of war and specific Congressional approval for the strike.
The last option they suggested was the creation of a permanent council of Congress leaders that would hold regular deliberations with the president and his administration on national security issues.
That advice would have to be consulted before any nuclear weapons were launched.
Panetta is the son of Leon Panetta, who served as secretary of defense and director of the CIA in the Obama administration and was chief of staff to President Clinton.
The White House did not immediately respond to the Post’s request to comment on the letter.
The president of the House Armed Services Committee, Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Did not immediately respond to the Post’s request to comment on his position on the president’s nuclear authority.
“Although any president presumably consults advisors before ordering a nuclear attack, there is no requirement for that,” says the letter, “The military is obliged to comply with the order if it considers it legal under war laws. “
“In the current stance of the US nuclear forces, this attack would happen in minutes.”