On his website, Senator McCain states that he is committed to a nuclear weapons free world; his voting record, however, is not as clear cut. McCain tends to vote in opposition to the goals of nuclear nonproliferation, but has more of a mixed voting record on WMD disarmament issues. Below is a summary of the main issues, along with how Senator McCain voted on crucial issues, and other initiatives he supports.

Nonproliferation and Disarmament

McCain’s general position on nuclear weapons supports the goals of nuclear nonproliferation. On his website, McCain states that he will continue the current moratorium on nuclear testing, and will move forward on a revised Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). During his senate career, McCain opposed both the moratorium on nuclear testing and the CTBT. McCain did not vote on amendment 5178, which states that it is the policy of the U.S. to continue its commitment to nonproliferation. In 1992, he voted in opposition on a nine month moratorium on nuclear testing, as well as voting nay to an amendment that would withhold funds for nuclear testing if the conditions of the moratorium were not met. On the vote for ratification of the CTBT, McCain voted nay.

McCain states he is committed to a nuclear weapons free world, but he also states that he does support the development of new types of nuclear weapons that will serve as a deterrent. While he is not specific about what types of nuclear weapons he supports for development, in 2003, McCain voted in favor of repealing the prohibition on the research and development of low yield nuclear weapons. McCain does state that he plans to cancel all work on the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP). However, McCain’s voting record does not support that position. McCain voted nay to two separate amendments designed to prohibit funding for the RNEP.

In strategic arms reduction, McCain plans to work with Russia on nuclear security and towards a new arms control agreement designed to reduced nuclear weapons (or eliminate the deployment of tactical weapons in Europe). To this end, McCain’s voting record does support his position. McCain voted in favor of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) I and II, as well as the Moscow Treaty. He has also voted in favor of repealing laws that restrict U.S. assistance to Russia in destroying WMDs, and voted to support funding for the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program. On the U.S. front, however, McCain voted against authorization for additional disposal of material from the National Defense stockpile.

U.S.-India Nuclear Deal

The U.S.-India Nuclear Deal is considered detrimental to the nonproliferation regime and international security by most nonproliferation and disarmament groups. Exemptions made by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) do not require India’s military nuclear facilities to be inspected, only its civilian nuclear facilities (which are determined by India). India is not required to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) or CTBT.

Senator McCain supports the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Accord. On October 1st, McCain voted in favor of the U.S.-India Cooperation Approval and Nonproliferation Enhancement Act, which permits trade of peaceful nuclear material and technology between the U.S. and India. In 2006, McCain also voted in favor of the Hyde Act, which exempts India from Section 129 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, a law prohibiting the export of nuclear materials and technology to states that have not signed the NPT. He also did not participate in the vote on an amendment to Hyde Act that requires that a precondition to nuclear cooperation must be a guarantee that such cooperation will not assist or encourage India to manufacture or acquire nuclear weapons.

National Missile Defense Systems (NMD)

Certain missile defense systems, such as conventional short range tactical Patriot missiles, provide useful battlefield defense and don’t “play” in the proliferation argument. Many have argued that an effective National Missile Defense system (current testing shows the missile defense system to be ineffective and unrealistic), designed to shoot down long range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM’s), which are often equipped with nuclear warheads, may have a deterrent effect. However, NMD also has the potential to be harmful to the nonproliferation regime because it is seen as an offensive threat to other countries. NMD may also encourage other countries to proliferate in order to strengthen their defense capabilities. The logic behind this is that if the U.S. perfects a missile defense system, the U.S. will not need to fear retaliation for any nuclear attacks, thus removing a stabilizing check on the use of nuclear weapons.