On the recordFebruary 7, 2019
President Donald Trump made the courageous decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty last week. This was long overdue. Sadly, there have been obvious Russian violations since 2011. The 1987 INF Treaty was achieved by President Ronald Reagan to prohibit development of ground-launched cruise missiles. The INF Treaty was seen as the gold standard of arms control agreements for years, but Russia has been in violation of the agreement, while we have continued to limit our research and development. Allowing Russia to violate the INF Treaty endangers American families. Now, Russia will find more incentive to return to the negotiating table, encouraged by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. We must continue to seek peace through strength. It was this strategy implemented by President Reagan that prompted Moscow to sign the INF Treaty in the first place. In conclusion, God bless our troops, and we will never forget September the 11th in the global war on terrorism. ____________________
