Kay Bailey Hutchison: “Mr. President, there is no Senate responsibility I take more seriously than the obligation we have to advise and consent…”

“Mr. President, there is no Senate responsibility I take more seriously than the obligation we have to advise and consent on treaties. We are discussing two treaties today that mark the past and the future of arms control. The Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty is a pillar of post-cold-war security in Europe. That treaty, over a decade in negotiation and finished by President Bush in 1990, solidified NATO's victory in the cold war by dramatically reducing the size of the conventional forces arrayed against each other. That treaty also restricted the areas on the flanks of Europe where the Soviet Union or its successors could place troops and equipment. This particular provision was one of the most difficult to negotiate because it was one of the most meaningful. By restricting the size of forces on Europe's northern and southern flanks, we greatly reduced the likelihood that the Soviet Union or its successors could conduct an effective assault on western forces. Because of the importance of this provision, it is with great reluctance that I support the changes to the agreement before us today, which will relax these flank restrictions.”