June 12, 2002
The 1972 ABM Treaty required that the U.S. or Soviet Union (now Russia) give notification six months prior to withdrawal from the treaty. President Bush announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the ABM Treaty six months ago today on December 12, 2001.
"Withdrawing from the ABM Treaty is both bad policy and bad law. It's bad policy to undermine our international reputation as a nation that stands behind agreements," said Lee. "Instead of continuing to lead the way towards disarmament, we are unraveling a core arms control agreement. It is bad law because the Constitution does not give the President the authority to solely make or break treaties or the authority to repeal laws."
"Peace is central to ensuring our national security. We cannot preach non-proliferation while practicing escalation," said Lee. "President Bush announced U.S. withdrawal from the treaty to pursue development of National Missile Defense, a costly, dangerous, and destabilizing program that dozens of Nobel laureates have pointed out will not work."
Congresswoman Lee (D-CA) has joined Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and 28 of her House colleagues as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Bush Administration to stop President Bush from withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty without Congressional consent.
The lawsuit calls for a temporary restraining order to stop the Administration from withdrawing from the treaty and requests a decision from the courts on whether or not the Constitution permits the President to withdraw without the consent of Congress. The lawsuit follows a motion that Kucinich offered in the House last week calling on the Administration to consult Congress before withdrawing from the ABM Treaty.
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Legislation for U.S. Compliance with ABM Treaty
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today introduced The ABM Treaty Compliance Act of 2002, legislation stating that the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty shall continue to apply with respect to the United States.The 1972 ABM Treaty required that the U.S. or Soviet Union (now Russia) give notification six months prior to withdrawal from the treaty. President Bush announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the ABM Treaty six months ago today on December 12, 2001.
"Withdrawing from the ABM Treaty is both bad policy and bad law. It's bad policy to undermine our international reputation as a nation that stands behind agreements," said Lee. "Instead of continuing to lead the way towards disarmament, we are unraveling a core arms control agreement. It is bad law because the Constitution does not give the President the authority to solely make or break treaties or the authority to repeal laws."
"Peace is central to ensuring our national security. We cannot preach non-proliferation while practicing escalation," said Lee. "President Bush announced U.S. withdrawal from the treaty to pursue development of National Missile Defense, a costly, dangerous, and destabilizing program that dozens of Nobel laureates have pointed out will not work."
Congresswoman Lee (D-CA) has joined Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and 28 of her House colleagues as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Bush Administration to stop President Bush from withdrawing the United States from the ABM Treaty without Congressional consent.
The lawsuit calls for a temporary restraining order to stop the Administration from withdrawing from the treaty and requests a decision from the courts on whether or not the Constitution permits the President to withdraw without the consent of Congress. The lawsuit follows a motion that Kucinich offered in the House last week calling on the Administration to consult Congress before withdrawing from the ABM Treaty.
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