Kay Hagan

We need to go ahead and ratify the New START treaty in order to continue negotiating with Russia on their tactical nuclear weapons.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Any other comments from the other panel members?

Responsible stockpile stewardship management requires modernized infrastructure and a highly capable workforce to sustain the nuclear deterrent.

I'm concerned that our ability to recruit and retain nuclear scientists and engineers is threatened by a lack of financial stability.

Ratifying this treaty will demonstrate our commitment to nonproliferation, sending a message and isolating Iran.

Some experts indicate that if the Senate does not ratify the New START it can potentially send conflicting messages about the administration's emphasis and commitment to nonproliferation and the NPT.

I think that tactical nuclear weapons are an integral part of a strategic security.

It's clear that the New START treaty has been a very important part of moving the relationship forward.

He emphasized that a primary obstacle is the perceived lack of financial stability and importance in this program.

it appears as though the Russians have postponed the sale of the S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile system to Iran.

the tactical in a lot of ways is more disconcerting than the strategic, just because it's harder to monitor where they are.

the imbalance in the tactical area puts an exclamation point on why we have to continue to pay attention to the assurance aspect of our force structure.

This is a concern to me because stewardship is becoming technically more challenging as our weapons continue to age beyond their intended lifetimes.

Within this strategic context, and in the face of our aging nuclear stockpile, strategic arms reduction is in the best interest of both nations.

It is important to discuss nuclear arms control with the Russians within the context of the evolving U.S.-Russian relations.

We've actually released those funds now, so those are now available for commanders working with their Afghan partners...

Last week, I joined with a number of my Senate colleagues in calling on Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Locke to coordinate with State emergency preparedness agencies and develop a plan, should oil or the dispersants come, get into that…

I believe that we need to avoid a situation where warlords and power brokers retain their militias.

If I could just add, Senator, on reintegration for low- and mid-level fighters, based on President Karzai's interim guidance...

this is an environmental disaster of just huge proportions

Financial incentives alone are not sufficient to reconcile with low-level Taliban fighters because they will be subject to brutal retaliation against themselves and their families.

we can come to an as-soon-as-possible resolution to this disaster

It's not possible for the Afghan Government to reconcile with senior level Taliban or reintegrate low level Taliban fighters as long as the Taliban remains militarily strong and convinced that they are winning the war.

I think, by Senator Hagan, there is the possibility... that this oil will get involved in the streams.