On the recordFebruary 23, 2010
I rise tonight to express support for the Obama administration's efforts on nuclear nonproliferation. We know-- and I believe this is a consensus in our country--that nuclear terrorism poses the most serious threat to our security, as well as the security of other nations around the world. I believe we have a solemn responsibility to do what we can to combat the threat of nuclear weapons. The Obama administration has set forth a vision which puts American security first in pursuit of a world where terrorists cannot acquire weapons of mass destruction. The Senate also has an important leadership role to play. Our No. 1 obligation should be to protect the American people. In Prague last April, President Obama described the steps the United States is prepared to take toward a world without nuclear weapons. In expressing this goal, the President acknowledged the necessity of maintaining our weapons complex while simultaneously working to negotiate agreements that decrease the number of nuclear weapons in the world. He said: Make no mistake, as long as these weapons exist, the United States will maintain a safe, secure, and effective arsenal to deter any adversary, and guarantee that defense to our allies . . . but we will begin the work of reducing our arsenal.
