Congress and Arms Control

Congress and the President are at odds over arms control policy. This goes to the heart of the constitution, which states that the President alone is empowered to conduct foreign policy, though all foreign policy has domestic inputs and implications. Favours congressional debate and ratification of foreign policy, and outlines its principles for arms control (1) to enhance US security (2) to prevent an uncontrollable arms race (3) to promote mutual deterrence (4) to ensure technological reliability of weapons. With these principles in mind, Congress imposed five amendments to the DoD's FY 87 bill (1) 1+ kt test ban (2) SDI limits (3) SALT II limits (4) ASAT test ban (5) chemical weapon procurement ban. Urges a presidential-congressional consensus on deep cuts, a test ban, SDI research and adherence to the ABM treaty, SALT II limits, and a ban on ASAT and chemical weapons.