Council for a Livable World is a political action organization that advocates to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons and works to increase international and national security.

We oppose: the war in Iraq, excessive military spending on Cold-War threats and weapons, and nuclear weapons. We support: tough diplomacy over war, increased non prolifertion efforts and congressional candidates who will support progessive policies for our country.

The mission of the Council has remained simple and pragmatic. The Council provides Senators and Members of Congress with sophisticated technical and scientific information that helps them make intelligent decisions about weapons of mass destruction and other major national security issues.

Council for a Livable World will continue to advocate for deep reductions and the eventual elimination of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. As we broaden our mission in the 21st century, we will focus on ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and finding non-military solutions to international conflict.

Council for a Livable World was founded in 1962 by eminent nuclear physicist Leo Szilard and other scientists who worked in the pioneer days of atomic weapons. The goal of these men and women, who knew firsthand the nature of nuclear weapons, was to warn the public and Congress of the threat of nuclear war and lead the way to rational arms control and nuclear disarmament

To transform information into solutions, the Council for a Livable World also endorses candidates for congressional races who promote sensible national security policy. Council supporters provide more funds to opponents of the arms race than any other arms control organization in America.

The Council sends its 30,000+ supporters regular updates on the closest Senate and House elections. In many races, Council supporters have helped tipped the scale in favor of our endorsed candidates. When former Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Pa., resigned mid-term in 2007, Council supporters helped ensure that a strong progressive candidate would take over by funding Niki Tsongas' campaign to represent Massachusetts 5th congressional district -- who subsequently won the election. This is just one example of how the Council works to help progressive voices lead our country.

Candidates are required to answer rigorous questionnaires on issues and to defend their positions in interviews. The nonpartisan Council does not get involved in every race. It chooses races where the differences between candidates on arms control and national security issues are clear-cut.

-It prefers to concentrate on smaller states and primary elections, where campaign dollars go farther.
-It recommends candidates in close races where Council dollars can be crucial and when candidates have true financial need. The Council model is widely recognized as very effective. Over the past three election campaigns, the Republican Party has spent well over a $1 million on ad campaigns designed to portray Council-supported candidates as unpatriotic and un-American for their support of more sensible national security policies