Russ Feingold: “3 years after its signing by the United States and the Soviet Union, the second landmark Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty…”

“3 years after its signing by the United States and the Soviet Union, the second landmark Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty has finally come to the floor of the Senate for consideration. I want to join the overwhelming majority of my colleagues in strongly supporting the ratification of START II, and hope it will move quickly into force. Indeed, this treaty is key to our national and international security, and will help set the tone for what should be a more peaceful era. Mr. President, the risk of detonation of a nuclear device in Western Europe or the United States may have actually increased since the end of the Cold War. There are literally tens of thousands of weapons, and mass quantities of nuclear materials, in Russia's stockpile, and their safety and security are in question. Just one of those has to get into the hands of a rogue nation or a high-paying terrorist to threaten or destroy Washington, Bonn, London, or any other major metropolis. When START II goes into force, however, 8,000 strategic weapons-- 4,000 from both Russia and the United States--will be tabbed for destruction. This will include the abolition of the core of the Russian nuclear arsenal--the deadly SS-18--and the multiple independent re-entry vehicles [MIRV's], significantly reducing the likelihood of either side launching a nuclear first strike. START II, however, does leave intact our defensive, second strike capability.”