From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: PSR Legislative Update
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Distribution: na
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 08:11:06 GMT

/** psr.bulletins: 55.0 **/
** Topic: December/January Leg Update **
** Written  9:45 am  Jan  7, 1993 by psrnatl in cdp:psr.bulletins **
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
December 1992

New Congress Brings Opportunities for Change The 103rd Congress
begins officially in January. With 110 new Members, a large
increase in diversity, PSR has a great opportunity for change.
There will also be a major reshuffling of the committee structure
(unavailable at press time) which could mean better access to
places of power. As we head into the new year, emphasis should be
placed on educating new members and encouraging a new
administration to take decisive action.  New Members may not know
the issues and old members may have forgotten.  It is time to
focus our new government's attention on preventing nuclear war,
protecting the environment and reordering federal budget
priorities.

Toward a Comprehensive Test Ban The 1992 nuclear testing
legislation, that was reluctantly signed into law by out-going
President Bush on October 2nd, stands as the most important
disarmament victory in years. The nine-month moratorium and
framework for phasing out nuclear testing by 1996, along with the
current French and Russian nuclear testing moratoria, create a
favorable environment for completion of a CTB.  However, final
success is far from certain. The current political environment is
not likely to last because of Russia's political instability, the
possibility of resumed U.S. testing by July 1993, and the possible
defeat of the Socialists in France's spring elections, which would
likely lead to a resumption of French testing.

Therefore, the major 1992 goals of test ban advocates are:  1) To
encourage the Clinton Administration to convene a meeting of the
five declared nuclear powers to commence immediate negotiations
toward a CTB.  Such a meeting can and should be organized within
the first 100 days of the new administration.  2) Once discussions
toward a CTB are underway, encourage Congress and the new
administration to maintain the U.S. testing moratorium while
negotiations proceed, assuming that Russia also maintains its
moratorium.  The renewal of U.S testing, even for limited
purposes, would likely trigger the resumption of Russian and
French testing and hamper progress on nuclear test ban talks.
Most test ban advocates believe that the Clinton Administration
and Congress should give preeminent consideration to the effects
of any further tests on the prospects of prompt completion of a
CTB.

Making Manhattan Project II a Reality In order to raise the
public's awareness of the continuing nuclear arms threat, PSR
launched Manhattan Project II.  PSR national will raise these same
issues within the new Congress and Administration. The national
office recently released a "white paper" outlining the specific
policy goals of the project (see enclosed draft on green paper).

Fighting Military Pollution Last year's efforts by PSR and other
national organizations lobbying to clean up toxic waste at
military facilities proved successful. Roughly $3.7 billion was
allocated by Congress to ongoing Pentagon efforts to clean up the
1700 contaminated bases across the country. However, with an
estimated 100 - 200 billion needed for the clean up effort
remaining, and a shrinking pool of federal dollars, further
pressure will undoubtedly be needed for next years Congressional
allocation. This years efforts will also focus on ensuring
adequate civilian oversight, allowing citizen participation in
monitoring the process, assessing the adverse health consequences,
as well as further keeping the military in compliance with federal
law.  Contact the PSR office if you need information about the
military's toxic problem in your state.

Changing the Mission of the DOE The new administration offers an
opportunity for change within the Department of Energy's (DOE)
nuclear weapons complex.  PSR staff and chapters have been working
with environmental and arms control coalition partners to prepare
briefing documents and policy recommendations to the Clinton
Transition Team and to incoming Congressional lawmakers.  Enclosed
are two documents -- "Rhetoric vs. Reality" and "Ten Priority
Areas for the First 100 Days: Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear
Proliferation" -- detailing what changes are necessary to get the
DOE out of the nuclear weapons business and provide more focus on
environmental clean-up and public health protection.

Changing Federal Budget Priorities Little is known about the
Clinton budget, including his plans for defense spending. During
the campaign he did promise to go further than Bush in his defense
cuts, but not as far as the 50% cut over by 1997. Most political
insiders expect the Democratic led Congress to support the Clinton
defense plan -- at least at first. PSR National will keep a
watchful eye on major weapons systems such as the Strategic
Defense Initiative, the B2 bomber, the Trident II nuclear missile
and other expensive Cold War relics. Due to political pressures
and budget constraints, few expect the Clinton budget to provide
adequate funding for critical domestic needs such as health care
and protection of the environment.

******************************************************************************

		       Action Alert

Arrange for face to face meetings with your Representative and
Senators while they are home during congressional recess (current
through January 4th and January 11 -19th) or on weekends. Whether
they are new or old Members, educate them about PSR and our
issues.  Emphasize the following:

	o Nuclear Testing. Make sure they know what Congress did
	in 1992. Describe the need to push for a CTB;

	o Manhattan Project II. Make the Member aware of the
	present state of the nuclear arsenal. Advocate the need to
	reduce the number of nuclear weapons and prevent nuclear
	proliferation.


			 Capitol Switchboard - 202-224-3121
		  SANE/Freeze Arms Control Hotline - (202)
		  862-9760

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