March 25, 2026
Mr. Keating (for himself and Mr. Baumgartner) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
To establish a National and Nuclear Risk Reduction Center within the Department of State, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Establishment of National and Nuclear Risk Reduction Center
(a) In general
There is established within the Department of State a National and Nuclear Risk Reduction Center (NNRRC
), who shall report directly to the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security.
(b) Responsibilities
The NNRRC shall carry out the following responsibilities:
(1)
Operate a 24-hour basis government-to-government communications center for exchanging notifications with foreign counterparts as required by—
(A)
bilateral and multilateral arms control agreements or arrangements; and
(B)
confidence-building agreements between the United States, foreign governments, and international organizations.
(2)
Translate and disseminate incoming and outgoing notifications and messages to and from appropriate Federal Government departments and agencies for purposes of executing, when necessary, operational alerts or time-sensitive notifications requiring immediate attention.
(3)
Advise Department of State policy and operational offices on communication or technical issues from new arms control and international security agreements.
(4)
Provide technical assistance to foreign governments on NNRRC-related requirements on the operation of national communication systems for arms control agreements and other confidence-building agreements.
(5)
Ensure the NNRRC maintains not fewer than one linguist on duty at all time who—
(A)
can provide Mandarin Chinese and Russian language translation services;
(B)
is proficient with technical arms control matters; and
(C)
can facilitate communications related to notifications and exchanges with foreign governments involving arms control agreements and arrangements.
(6)
Establish a protocol for coordination between the NNRRC and interagency stakeholders, including liaison roles.
(7)
Perform such other duties as the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security may from time to time designate.