Bill Summary
This resolution marks the 60th anniversary of the Polaris Sales Agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom in 1963. This agreement, originally made by President Kennedy and Prime Minister Macmillan, allowed the US to provide Polaris missiles to the UK for use in their submarines. The agreement has since been amended to include the Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system and continues to be an important aspect of the UK's defense strategy. The resolution also recognizes the importance of the UK as a valued ally and their role in maintaining a Continuous At-Sea Deterrent, which contributes to the overall defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The resolution looks forward to continued cooperation and commitment between the two nations in sustaining submarine-based strategic deterrence.
Possible Impacts
1. The Polaris Sales Agreement could affect people by maintaining a continuous at-sea deterrent posture for the United Kingdom, which could potentially impact the safety and security of individuals living in the UK.
2. The amendment of the agreement to include the Trident II (D5) strategic weapon system could affect people by increasing the potential for nuclear weapons to be used, which could have detrimental effects on individuals and communities.
3. The continued cooperation between the US and UK under the auspices of the Polaris Sales Agreement could affect people by ensuring the design of a common missile compartment for future ballistic missile submarines, which could potentially increase the capabilities and reach of nuclear weapons.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 207 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 207
Marking the 60th anniversary of the Polaris Sales Agreement between the
United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 11, 2023
Mrs. Fischer (for herself and Mr. King) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Marking the 60th anniversary of the Polaris Sales Agreement between the
United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland.
Whereas, on December 21, 1962, President John F. Kennedy and Prime Minister of
the United Kingdom Harold Macmillan met in Nassau, Bahamas, and issued a
joint statement (commonly referred to as the ``Statement on Nuclear
Defense Systems''), agreeing that the United States would make Polaris
missiles available on a continuing basis to the United Kingdom for use
in submarines;
Whereas, on April 6, 1963, Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Her Majesty's
Ambassador to the United States David Ormsby-Gore signed the Polaris
Sales Agreement, reaffirming the Statement on Nuclear Defense Systems
and agreeing that the United States Government shall provide and the
Government of the United Kingdom shall purchase from the United States
Government Polaris missiles, equipment, and supporting services;
Whereas the HMS Resolution launched the first Polaris missile of the United
Kingdom on February 15, 1968, and, in 1969, commenced the first
strategic deterrent patrol for the United Kingdom, initiating a
continuous at-sea deterrent posture for the United Kingdom that remains
in effect;
Whereas the Polaris Sales Agreement was amended to include the Trident II (D5)
strategic weapon system on October 19, 1982, in Washington, DC, through
an exchange of notes between Secretary of State Jonathan Howe and Her
Majesty's Ambassador to the United States Oliver Wright; and
Whereas through an exchange of letters in 2008 between Secretary of Defense the
Honorable Robert Gates and Secretary of State for Defence of the United
Kingdom the Right Honorable Desmond Browne and under the auspices of the
Polaris Sales Agreement, the United States Government and the Government
of the United Kingdom agreed to continue cooperation to design a common
missile compartment for the follow-on ballistic missile submarines of
each nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) marks the 60th anniversary of the Polaris Sales
Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United
States of America, done at Washington April 6, 1963;
(2) congratulates the Royal Navy for steadfastly
maintaining a Continuous At-Sea Deterrent;
(3) recognizes the important contribution of the Continuous
At-Sea Deterrent to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
(4) reaffirms that the United Kingdom is a valued and
special ally of the United States; and
(5) looks forward to continuing and strengthening the
shared commitment of the United States and the United Kingdom
to sustain submarine-based strategic deterrents well into the
future.
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