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START Treaty Wins Backing of GOP Senators Snowe, Collins

1 year ago
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Lynn Sweet
Lynn Sweet
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The Obama White House, eager for the Senate to ratify the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia before Christmas, won the support Friday of two key senators, Maine Republicans Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, with just a few procedural strings attached.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said at a morning briefing, "Both Sen. Snowe and Sen. Collins are now supportive of ratification of START. I think if you look at the number of people -- the number of senators just on the Republican side over the past 10 days that have said this is something that's important, that they support it and it's important to get done, we're -- we're going to get more than 67 votes."
Snowe and Collins said in separate statements their concerns about the treaty have been addressed by the Obama administration.
"I have worked with my colleagues to scrutinize this agreement and ensure any classified matters are properly vetted. Much has changed since the original START was first negotiated in 1991, and as a result I have supported efforts to make certain that questions regarding our ability to verify Russian compliance with the Treaty's limits, to develop and deploy effective missile defenses, and to modernize our nuclear weapons complex, have been satisfactorily resolved," Snowe said in a statement.
She added, "I am confident that New START will provide predictability in our relationship with Russia and thus enhance global stability, and most importantly, our national security. Therefore, if the Majority moves to consider New START under a framework that allows for sufficient debate and amendments, I intend to support the Resolution of Advice and Consent."

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Collins said in a statement her concerns "about the disparity between Russia's large stockpile of tactical nuclear weapons compared to the much smaller number in the United States' arsenal" were addressed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Last week, Collins sent them a letter asking for "information about the Administration's plan to address the significant difference in the number of tactical nuclear weapons between the two countries. Independent experts estimate Russia has at least 3,800 of this type of nuclear warheads, and press reports indicate that the Russians have moved some of these weapons closer to their border with Europe."
Collins concluded, "The New START represents a continued effort to achieve mutual and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I support the President's commitment to reduce not only the number of strategic nuclear weapons through the New START treaty, but also to reduce, in the future, those weapons that are most vulnerable to theft and misuse -- and those are tactical nuclear weapons."
But timing -- when the Senate takes up START -- could still be an issue. All 42 GOP senators signed a letter stating they want to vote on taxes and the budget before dealing with other issues, such as the repeal of "Don't ask, Don't tell," and the DREAM Act, allowing certain students in the U.S. illegally to stay.
Sequencing of votes is a major factor for Republicans. Collins, after DADT failed in the Senate on Thursday, said at a press conference the votes will eventually be there. Said Collins about DADT, "We've had extensive discussions with our colleagues, and I think as long as the priority items, the tax relief and the funding of government, have been completed, I believe that the votes are there."
Filed Under: Foreign Policy, Obama Administration, Arms Control, Nuclear Proliferation
Tagged: dailyguidance, nuclear weapons, Olympia Snowe, start treaty, Susan Collins
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3 Comments

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dc walker

While their are rogue nations like Iran and No. Korea I say to Russia we'll be friends but we're not giving up anything just yet.

December 12 2010 at 6:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John Vilvens

This treat is a give away to russia. We cannot delevope missle defence systems under this treaty. If a rogue nation nukes america we cannot only strike back with conventional warfare, no matter how many time s they nuke america. So if North Korea nukes america I hope it is in a state where thier represenative voted for this. This is selling america down the river so Obama can try to look good on the world stage.

December 10 2010 at 5:48 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to John Vilvens's comment
christierandall

sosamerica...it is only because it is something Obama is trying to do...the only reason for insults..otherwise if it was a republican thing...it would be the greatest thing since bread and butter.

December 11 2010 at 2:42 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply

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