Polling

Nuclear first strike

Nuclear deterrence is an American military doctrine that uses the credible threat of retaliation to deter an enemy from using nuclear weapons in a first strike attack. Also known as mutual assured destruction, it assumes no American President will ever use nukes in a preemptive attack. However, Trump’s Presidency has highlighted how concerning it is that any president has the authority to launch a nuke without Congressional approval. Launching a weapon that can instantly kill millions of people is an obvious act of war. Advocates say regardless of who sits in the Oval Office, only Congress has the constitutional duty to decide when a nuclear first strike is warranted. They claim no president should have the power to launch a first-use nuclear strike without explicit Congressional approval, saying it would be immoral, disproportionate and could only be considered an act of war – something our Constitution makes clear no single person should be able to do alone.

Pending Legislation: H.R.3564 - The Nuclear First-Strike Security Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Scott Peters (CA)
Status: Referred to the House Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker
House Speaker: Speaker Mike Johnson (LA)

I oppose reforming current nuclear first strike policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
I support increasing checks and balances on the President's authority to launch a nuclear first strike by:

1.) Preventing the impulsive or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons by ensuring a decision to launch a first strike is subject to additional scrutiny.

2.) Requiring the Secretary of Defense to certify to the Speaker of the House, the House Minority Leader, and the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders that a planned first-use nuclear strike is valid and legal, at least seven days before the strike occurs.

3.) Waiving the seven-day waiting period and certification requirement under specific, limited circumstances including when Congress has passed a formal declaration of war; when the strike is in response to a confirmed nuclear attack on the U.S. or its allies; during a "launch-on-warning scenario," where U.S. early warning systems detect an incoming missile launch aimed at the U.S. or its allies.

And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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Poll Opening Date

November 3, 2025

Poll Closing Date

November 9, 2025