Political Quotes

“a number of my colleagues and I are coming to the floor today to discuss a critical national security issue that Senator Kerry has already referenced in his remarks on the Senate floor. It is an issue that requires strong bipartisan action by the Senate; that is, the ratification of the New START treaty. As we enter into the last weeks of the 111th Congress, there is no doubt we have some significant work remaining on a number of important priorities. But we have come to the Senate floor today to say that national security and the threat posed by nuclear weapons also requires our urgent consideration this year. After more than 20 Senate hearings, more than 31 witnesses, 900 questions and answers, and nearly 8 months of thorough consideration-- including additional time during the August recess for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to consider the treaty--it is now time to vote on New START. The treaty is squarely in the national security interests of the United States. It reduces the number of nuclear weapons aimed at American cities and allows for the return of critical onsite inspections lost when the previous START treaty expired. Ratifying the treaty would reestablish American leadership on nuclear security and give the United States increased leverage to curb nuclear proliferation around the globe. This treaty in no way interferes with our ability to have a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear arsenal.”