Sean Meyer: Gratitude for Rep. McGovern's leadership on nuclear weapons

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., addresses colleagues at the Capitol in Washington, June 11, 2024.

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., addresses colleagues at the Capitol in Washington, June 11, 2024. AP PHOTO/J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Published: 11-26-2024 10:33 PM

On behalf of the Back from the Brink campaign (www.preventnuclearwar.org), I want to thank U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern for his steadfast leadership in confronting the existential threat to humanity posed by nuclear weapons. All of his constituents, and indeed everyone on the planet, owes him a debt of gratitude.

Rep. McGovern is the lead sponsor of H.R. 77, the congressional “Back from the Brink” resolution that calls for the United States to pursue a verifiable agreement among nuclear weapons states to eliminate their nuclear arsenals. It further recommends a set of common-sense policies to reduce nuclear risks including the current policy giving the U.S. president sole, unchecked authority to order the use of U.S. nuclear weapons — a chilling reality given who is about to reassume the presidency.

This past week, Rep. McGovern brought together nine other members of Congress for a “Special Orders” session to speak out and share their views about the growing dangers of nuclear war and an unrestrained, costly nuclear arms race, and what can be done to make us all safer. It is likely the first time in decades that members of Congress have dedicated an hour of time to discuss what is arguably the most dire threat facing humanity.

There is no guarantee that our efforts to prevent nuclear war will be successful. But we must try. The Back from the Brink campaign is honored to stand together with Rep. McGovern in this fight for humanity’s future.

Sean Meyer

Back from the Bring campaign, Shutesbury