Political Quotes

“Mr. President, during the debate, several Senators have noted concerns about the U.S. triad of submarines, land-based missiles, and those weapons with which we will equip our heavy bombers over the duration of the treaty. Others have cited concerns with the administration's plans for ICBM modernization in the updated 1251 report. They note it could somehow constrain our flexibility and serves to meet some arms control aspirations rather than weapons modernization. Our resolution of ratification incorporated a declaration concerning the so-called triad. This was done in the committee with an amendment offered by Senator Risch. That declaration, No. 13, states: It is the sense of the Senate that United States deterrence and flexibility is assured by a robust triad of strategic delivery vehicles. To this end, the United States is committed to accomplishing the modernization and replacement of its strategic nuclear delivery vehicles, and to ensuring the continued flexibility of United States conventional and nuclear delivery systems. That, as I say, was included in our committee work. Secondly, I wrote to Secretary Gates last week, our Secretary of Defense, regarding the concerns that many Senators have noted about the age and weaponry for our heavy bombers, notably the B-52 and its air- launched cruise missile, and about modernization plans for our ICBMs.…”