§ 498. Unilateral change in nuclear weapons stockpile of the United States

(a)In General.— Other than pursuant to a treaty, if the President has under consideration to unilaterally change the size of the total stockpile of nuclear weapons of the United States by more than 25 percent, prior to doing so the President shall initiate a Nuclear Posture Review.

(b)Terms of Reference.— Prior to the initiation of a Nuclear Posture Review under this section, the President shall determine the terms of reference for the Nuclear Posture Review, which the President shall provide to the congressional defense committees.

(c)Nuclear Posture Review.— Upon completion of a Nuclear Posture Review under this section, the President shall submit the Nuclear Posture Review to the congressional defense committees prior to implementing any change in the nuclear weapons stockpile by more than 25 percent.

(d)Construction.— This section shall not apply to changes to the nuclear weapons stockpile resulting from treaty obligations.

(e)Form.— A Nuclear Posture Review under this section shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.

(Added Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title X, § 1038(a), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1927; amended Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, § 1091(a)(6), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 875.)

Amendments

Amendments

2013—Pub. L. 113–66 inserted a period after the enumerator in section catchline.