§497 Notification Required for Reduction, Consolidation, or Withdrawal of Nuclear Forces Based in Europe

Summary

When the President decides to reduce, consolidate, or withdraw U.S. nuclear forces based in Europe, the President must send a notice to certain Congress committees. The notice must say why the change is happening and include how NATO member countries view the United States’ deterrence credibility in light of the change with respect to commitments under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty (signed April 4, 1949; entered into force August 24, 1949). The notice must be sent at least 120 days before the change begins, unless the change is needed to ensure the safety, security, reliability, or credibility of those nuclear weapons. "Appropriate congressional committees" means the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees.