On March 5, 2025, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced her “Warheads to Windmills” bill for the 17th time as HR-1888, with eight immediate cosponsors. Follow updates about the bill.
In a press release, Ms. Norton wrote:
‘Today, I introduce the Nuclear Weapons Abolition and Conversion Act of 2025. This bill would require the United States, beginning on the date that the president certifies to Congress that all countries possessing nuclear weapons have begun the verifiable and irreversible elimination of such weapons under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, to redirect resources that are being used for nuclear weapons programs to be used for addressing the climate crisis and human and infrastructure needs, such as housing, health care and restoring the environment.
‘In 1993, District of Columbia peace activists were successful in getting a ballot initiative in D.C. passed that called for nuclear disarmament. Since then, I have introduced a bill each Congress based on that initiative, including this bill. In March 2019, the D.C. Council passed a “Sense of the Council” resolution urging the United States to approve the Treaty. These actions show that D.C. residents were early, prescient leaders on this important issue. It seems that the rest of the world is, thankfully, starting to catch up to D.C.
‘As the only nation that has used nuclear weapons in war, and that still possesses one of the largest nuclear weapons arsenals, this bill would help the United States reestablish its moral leadership in the world.
‘I urge my colleagues to support this bill.’
The Warheads to Windmills Campaign has done great work promoting Norton’s bill. You can watch the event held at the United Nations on March 5, 2025, when Ms. Norton introduced the bill.
Take Action to End Nuclear Weapons
Please take the time to contact your Representatives and Senators (202-224-3121) and ask them to cosponsor HR-1888 in the House and introduce a companion bill in the Senate. Because so many bills are introduced each session, they may not know about HR-1888; it’s important they hear about it from their constituents!
Hopefully, with President Trump now calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons, Republicans might finally become interested in this bill. Here is language from a letter WILPF members in North Carolina sent to Republican Senator Tillis:
“Please introduce a companion bill to HR-1888 into the Senate! Congresswoman Norton has been introducing this legislation every session since 1994, without it ever getting out of Committees or being introduced into the Senate.
“President Trump is saying we should eliminate nuclear weapons. We wholeheartedly agree. This bill would help because it sends a message to arms industrialists that they would be paid to transform their industries to address climate change rather than preparing the world for war.
“Please be the first Republican to show you agree.”
Please let us know who you called, and email copies of letters and emails you send on behalf of HR-1888! Send updates and questions for the WILPF US DISARM/End Wars Committee to Ellen Thomas at disarmchair@wilpfus.org.
