Political Quotes

Mike Levin: “No. We can, I hope, agree on this. If, in fact, our commitment to deploy a system now causes Russia not to ratify START…”

On the recordMay 23, 1996
No. We can, I hope, agree on this. If, in fact, our commitment to deploy a system now causes Russia not to ratify START II, or to pull out from START I, leaving her with thousands of additional warheads that she otherwise would have gotten rid of, it will indeed make us less secure. That is why this bill should be called the Reduce America's Security Act of 1996--because the commitment to deploy this defense prematurely will, in the view of General Shalikashvili and the Joint Chiefs, who share his view, cause Russia to pull out from START I, not to ratify START II, and that will make us less secure.
Said by
Mike Levin
Democratic · California

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the implications of a missile defense system on U.S.-Russia arms treaties.

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