H.R. 5951 — No Nuclear Testing Without Approval Act

This section revises the prohibition on U.S. underground nuclear testing (previously in effect after September 30, 1996, unless lifted by a foreign nuclear test after that date) to instead prohibit all explosive nuclear testing after the date of enactment unless (1) a foreign state conducts an explosive nuclear test after enactment or there is a technical need for such testing, (2) the President submits to Congress—at least 180 days prior to the proposed test—a detailed unclassified notification (with possible classified annex) describing the test, its reasons (including technical need details, alternatives considered, state governor engagement, or national interest rationale), timelines, and costs, and (3) Congress enacts an approving joint resolution. For tests responding to a foreign test, the joint resolution proceeds without expedited procedures but requires a two-thirds Senate vote; for technical-need tests, it uses expedited procedures, including Armed Services Committee reporting or discharge within 60 days and House floor consideration within 120 days after notification receipt. (Thus, the provision conditions all explosive testing—including atmospheric, for which funding has been unavailable since FY1994—on prior congressional approval, overriding the prior law's automatic lift for foreign tests.)