Maryknoll OGC Joins Open Letter in Support of H. Res. 317
In an open letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, Maryknoll Office for Global concerns joined a coalition led by Back from the Brink: The Call to Prevent Nuclear War in a message in support of a House Resolution urging a reversal of the nuclear arms race.
July 2025
We, the undersigned organizations, write to urge you to co-sponsor House Resolution 317, the critical resolution introduced by Representatives Jim McGovern and Jill Tokuda, titled “Urging the United States to Lead the World Back from the Brink of Nuclear War and Halt and Reverse the Nuclear Arms Race.” H. Res. 317 embodies a comprehensive strategy to protect humanity and strengthen global security by addressing the existential threat to humanity posed by nuclear weapons and adopting common-sense policies to prevent nuclear war.
The Resolution’s Core Concerns
The resolution calls attention to the intolerable risk posed by the approximately 12,000 nuclear weapons that remain worldwide, with the United States and Russia controlling nearly 90% of them. It highlights several alarming factors:
Catastrophic Risks, Environmental and Human Impact
A large-scale nuclear conflict would directly kill millions and devastate the planet’s climate, causing unprecedented environmental damage akin to conditions last seen during the Ice Age. Scientific studies demonstrate that the use of even a small fraction of existing nuclear weapons could trigger global climate disruption, leading to widespread famine and putting hundreds of millions of lives at risk.
Near-Misses and Growing Tensions
Historical miscalculations and adversarial misinterpretations have brought the world perilously close to nuclear war. Current geopolitical tensions—such as Russia’s explicit threats amidst the Ukraine invasion, deteriorating U.S.-China relations, ongoing crises on the Korean Peninsula, and heightened tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan—serve as stark reminders of the urgency to act.
Disproportionate Burdens
The resolution underscores the far-reaching harm inflicted on communities by nuclear weapons production, testing, and resource diversion. From radioactive exposure affecting marginalized groups near test sites to the exploitation of natural resources for uranium mining, nuclear weapons have left a devastating legacy. Additionally, the immense financial burden of nuclear spending diverts critical resources away from urgent societal needs, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
Why Co-Sponsorship Is Imperative
As affirmed by the resolution, the United States has a unique responsibility to lead global efforts toward disarmament and nuclear risk reduction:
Lead by Example
Reinforces the U.S. commitment to Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and encourages other nuclear-armed states to follow suit in negotiations to halt arsenal buildups and verifiably eliminate existing stockpiles.
Reform Cold War-era Policies
Advocates for safer nuclear policies, including ending the Cold War-era “launch-under-attack” posture and first-use policies, which significantly increase the risks of accidental nuclear conflict.
Redirect Your Constituents’ Tax Dollars
Reduces the financial strain on U.S. taxpayers by halting the exorbitant and unwarranted initiatives to develop and deploy new nuclear warheads and delivery systems, which the Congressional Budget Office projects will cost $946 billion over the next decade.
A Vision for the Future
The resolution also emphasizes essential steps to ensure a safer and just future by maintaining the global moratorium on nuclear explosive testing, providing compensation and remediation for communities and workers affected by nuclear weapon production and testing, and planning an economic transition for civilian and military workforces tied to the nuclear industry, fostering sustainable development in affected communities.
By co-sponsoring H. Res. 317, you will take a stand for the preservation of human survival, environmental integrity, and global stability. This is not only a national security imperative but a moral obligation to lead the world away from the precipice of nuclear disaster. To sign on, please contact Todd Stein in Rep. McGovern’s office at todd.stein@mail.house.gov.
We urge you to join us in supporting this pivotal resolution and demonstrating your leadership in advancing a future free of nuclear weapons. Together, we can turn the tide and ensure a safer world for generations to come.
Sincerely,
See the full list of signatories on the Back from the Brink website.