I came to NRDC after interning at the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), a nuclear arms control organization, and later in Senator Arlen Specter’s office. I earned my MA in the social sciences and international relations from the University of Chicago, and my BA in history in my hometown of West Chester at the West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Lovin’ life in Washington. It’s a much-maligned city, but in fact it’s a really exciting place, the Hollywood of politics. One of my favorite things to do in DC is to walk through the neighborhoods behind Capitol Hill. They have a lot of character and tons to do, and at the same time the ambiance is low key and relaxing. It’s a great way to unwind.
Posted May 14, 2012 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
Last week the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) marked up the FY13 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill is scheduled to be debated on the House floor this week. HASC’s version of NDAA provides $554 billion for “function 050”...continued→
Posted March 26, 2012 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
Over the past several months President Obama, in consultation with his top military and national security advisors, has been conducting an analysis of U.S. nuclear forces and strategy, known as the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) Implementation Study. It may result...continued→
Posted March 5, 2012 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy, U.S. Law and Policy
Last month the Department of Energy (along with the other Federal Agencies) unveiled itsBudget Request to Congress for FY13. The total request for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the quasi-independent unit within DOE that manages the US nuclear weapons program,...continued→
Posted October 4, 2011 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
Recently enacted legislation is forcing a much-needed examination of national defense spending. The Budget Control Act of 2011, passed into law this summer, caps “security” discretionary spending for FY12 at $684 billion, a $4.5 billion decrease from FY11, and at...continued→
Posted December 6, 2010 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
Despite unusually fierce oppostion for such a modest yet important treaty, it looks like the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) will be brought to the Senate floor for a vote on ratification during the lame duck session, probably on December...continued→
Posted November 23, 2010 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
Proliferation/Nuclear Weapons North Korea resumes activity at the Yongbyon facility: Commercial satellite imagery obtained by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) taken on November 4th shows that North Korea has resumed construction at the Yongbyon facility. The North...continued→
Posted September 22, 2010 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
After an entire summer of debate, last week the Senate Foreign Relations Committee finally approved a resolution of ratification for the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) by a vote of 14-4. It’s not clear when the treaty will...continued→
Posted July 19, 2010 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
This Friday, July 23, the documentary Countdown to Zero will premiere in select cities. Produced by Lawrence Bender (An Inconvenient Truth) and Jeff Skoll and written and directed by Lucy Walker, this film examines the global danger posed by nuclear...continued→
Posted April 8, 2010 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Nuclear Weapons, Waste and Energy
The spring is shaping up to be an important time for nuclear arms reduction and nonproliferation efforts. After a year of intense negotiations, last month the U.S. and Russia finalized the major elements of a successor to the Strategic Arms...continued→
Posted March 18, 2010 by Jonathan McLaughlin in Moving Beyond Oil
The trial of the Syncrude Canada, Ltd. oil company is now almost three weeks old. Syncrude is facing criminal charges for the death of over 1600 migratory waterfowl at its Aurora tailings pond in St. Albert, Alberta on April 28,...continued→
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