Where Are Schumer and Thune on CTBT Ratification?

12:58 PM Monday.

President Trump's true nuclear testing strategy is a well-guarded secret, no doubt, and may vary considerably from the signals he sends to the press. Whatever Trump's ultimate intention, his recent nuclear testing rhetoric absolutely invites a serious Senate debate about ratification of the CTBT, which so far only Senator Markey (D-MA) seems to be answering:

https://share.google/aimode/fX1tnNY1OYf35h2QC  

See also Senator Markey Introduces Legislation to Prevent Trump from Restarting Nuclear Testing, Blasts “Trumpatomics” for Potentially Reigniting Nuclear Arms Race.

I don't know if that should be pronounced Trumpetomics after Revelation 11:15 or Trumpatomacs after the river in DC. Either way, I agree with most of what Senator Markey has to say strategically, though I am sure Republicans would prefer to see it framed in less partisan terms.

Russia, then the Soviet Union, last tested a nuclear weapon in October of 1990. Russia formally denies any detonations since that time. 

"The Kremlin has explicitly rejected US allegations of secret, low-yield nuclear tests, stating its recent tests of advanced nuclear-powered systems (like the Burevestnik missile and Poseidon drone) were non-nuclear explosions and do not violate the testing moratorium" (Google Gemini). 

Russia revoked ratification of the CTBT in November of 2023 in order to better mirror the US position of signature without ratification.

"Russia's official position is that it will resume nuclear testing only if the United States (or another nuclear power) does so first, and it has not indicated an intent to test regardless of US actions" (Google Gemini). 

China, for its part, "officially prefers that the US, Russia, and all other nations uphold the global moratorium on nuclear testing and for the CTBT to enter into force. China has repeatedly urged the United States to abide by its commitment to a testing moratorium and take concrete action to safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime" (Google Gemini).

Here is the analysis that leads to my conclusion the US President should refrain from nuclear testing and that the US Senate should ratify the CTBT as soon as possible: 

https://share.google/aimode/H4zBN6BzspdEXTKAJ

Minority Leader Schumer and Majority Leader Thune already have a lot on their plates. It's not for me to say how and when they should schedule a CTBT debate and vote. But instead of a bill to prevent Trump from resuming nuclear testing (the first prong of Markey's strategy), I'd prefer to see the White House and Senate simply come to an agreement (without the need for legislation) that no testing of an actual nuclear detonation will take place before the Senate can properly debate and vote (without a filibuster) on CTBT ratification.

End 2:07 PM.