Some members of Congress are beginning to question the use of cluster munitions, particularly in and around civilian areas. During the 109th Congress, on September 6, 2006, Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA) introduced S. Amdt. 4882 to the FY 2007 Defense Appropriations bill (H.R. 5631), to “protect civilian lives from unexploded cluster munitions.” The amendment was cosponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (VT), and would have prevented funds from being spent to acquire, utilize, sell, or transfer cluster munitions, unless the Pentagon ensured that the munitions would not be used in or near any concentrated population of civilians, whether permanent or temporary. Unfortunately, the amendment was rejected by a vote of 30 – 70. 

While the Feinstein-Leahy amendment failed to pass the Senate, the attempt is an encouraging recognition that U.S. policymakers are beginning to see that cluster munitions – like fire bombs and landmines – are a separate class of weapons that deserves additional and urgent attention.

(Our thanks to Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) for providing material on the history of the U.S. and cluster munitions.)