HALT Act of 2025: Funds for Nuclear Bomb Tests Blocked Unless Congress Approves

The Hastening Arms Limitations Talks Act of 2025, or the HALT Act, aims to fundamentally shift U.S. policy on nuclear weapons by establishing a national policy to lead a global nuclear freeze movement. The core idea is to move the U.S. away from developing new nuclear designs and back into verifiable arms control treaties with other nuclear-armed nations.

This bill explicitly commits the U.S. to leading international negotiations on a "21st century global nuclear freeze." This isn't just a suggestion; the bill lays out a specific wishlist for future treaties, including resuming the verification inspections under the New START Treaty with Russia, setting a verifiable ceiling on the number of deployed nuclear weapons, and getting all nuclear-armed countries to agree to a "no first use" policy. If you’re worried about the global nuclear arms race—and the bill’s findings section argues that one is definitely underway—this legislation is designed to put the brakes on it.

The Nuclear Testing Funding Lock

For most people, the biggest, most concrete change is in Section 4. Starting in fiscal year 2026, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds for any explosive nuclear weapons test. This is a massive policy shift that essentially codifies the U.S. commitment to the zero-yield standard. The only way around this ban is if two things happen: First, the President has to submit a detailed report to Congress explaining any changes to the U.S. nuclear stockpile. Second, Congress must pass and enact a joint resolution specifically approving the test. This means no more secret tests or executive decisions; Congress gets the final say.

This provision is crucial because the U.S. hasn't conducted an explosive nuclear test since 1992. The bill emphasizes that due to technological advancements—like the global monitoring network of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the Department of Energy’s science-based Stockpile Stewardship program—such testing is no longer necessary to maintain the safety and reliability of the existing arsenal. The bill makes sure that the ban doesn't stop the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the stockpile, as long as it adheres to the zero-yield rule.

What This Means for Your Wallet and Your World

If this bill passes, the immediate impact for the average person is a reduction in existential dread and a potential long-term shift in federal spending. By blocking funds for explosive testing and committing to a freeze on new nuclear warhead designs (Sec. 3), the bill redirects resources away from the most expensive and destabilizing elements of the nuclear enterprise. While the defense industry might see fewer contracts for new missile systems or warheads, the public benefits from potentially lower global tensions and the reinforcement of international non-proliferation efforts.

However, the requirement for a joint resolution in Section 4 is a double-edged sword. While it provides necessary oversight, it also means that a single, highly partisan Congress could potentially block a test even if the technical experts and the President deem it absolutely necessary for national security. This level of congressional control over a core defense function is significant and could lead to political gridlock if a future administration seeks to resume testing.

In short, the HALT Act is a big swing toward disarmament. It aims to stop the nuclear arms race by cutting off the funding for explosive testing and forcing the U.S. to lead a negotiation effort that could cap the world’s nuclear arsenals. It’s a policy rooted in the idea that stability comes from verifiable limits, not endless modernization.