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Foster Nuclear Security Amendment Included in House-Passed NDAA

July 14, 2022

Washington, DC – Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes an amendment sponsored by Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) that would improve nuclear security around the world.

Foster's amendment repeals the restriction on funding for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization's Preparatory Commission, which monitors countries' compliance with the treaty and conducts on-site inspections of their nuclear facilities. This provision will allow the U.S. to collaborate with international partners to refine the methods used in nuclear testing inspections, and take these inspections out of the hands of countries like Russia, China, and Iran.

"I was proud to vote for the National Defense Authorization Act, which makes major investments to support our service members and sustain the research and innovation that makes our country safer and stronger," Foster said. "As the only PhD physicist in Congress, working on issues of nuclear non-proliferation has always been one of my top priorities. I'm proud this legislation takes the necessary steps to bolster our national security, including my amendment to ensure nuclear testing inspections remain in the hands of U.S. experts and our international partners."

A copy of the amendment can be found here.

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