WASHINGTON, D.C.— House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chairman Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) today commended President Obama’s decision to release information about the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, including the number of deployed and active reserve strategic nuclear weapons and a 91 percent reduction in tactical nuclear weapons since 1991. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced this decision in the context of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference. Below is his statement:

“This announcement is an important step for transparency, especially for non-nuclear weapons states, as it signals that the US is serious about its commitment to enhancing security by reducing the dangers posed by nuclear weapons. This announcement demonstrates good faith in reducing the number of US nuclear weapons and provides momentum to encourage other countries, including Russia, China, India and Pakistan, to provide more information about their arsenals. 

“This historic announcement, supported by our intelligence community, is a welcome and helpful step forward as the nation seeks to ensure non-nuclear weapons states comply with their Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations to forego nuclear weapons and to dissuade violations or withdrawal from the Treaty.

“The NPT has been our first line of defense against the spread of nuclear weapons for 40 years.  It has been a bulwark against nuclear weapons proliferation, mitigating the danger of a world with dozens of nuclear states. US actions to strengthen the Treaty reflect the leadership necessary to keep this vital non-proliferation norm viable for the next 40 years and beyond.”

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