Cord Byrd: “on March 6, 2003, the Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of the Moscow Treaty on strategic nuclear arms…”

“on March 6, 2003, the Senate gave its advice and consent to ratification of the Moscow Treaty on strategic nuclear arms reductions. The 97 to 0 vote belied significant weaknesses in the treaty: it contains no verification procedures, it does not require the destruction of any warheads or missiles, and it expires on the same day that it goes into effect. Those weaknesses should not be ignored. I joined with my colleagues in voting to approve a formal treaty on U.S. and Russian arms reductions in order to send a message that more work is needed to reduce, control, and secure the most dangerous weapons that mankind has created. The Moscow Treaty is a modest step away from the Cold War threat of nuclear holocaust, but more steps need to be taken. The resolution that I offer represents the Senate's next step in pushing for more action in the control of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. I am grateful to the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Lugar, for his support of the resolution as its principal cosponsor. The Byrd-Lugar resolution urges the administration and the Russian Federation to do more to implement nonproliferation programs.”