Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) announced his support for the START nuclear weapons reduction treaty with Russia, becoming a key Republican backer who brings some momentum to the Obama administration's efforts to get to the Constitution's required 67 votes for ratification.
"Madam President, I will vote to ratify the new START treaty with Russia -- because it leaves our country with enough nuclear warheads to blow any attacker to Kingdom Come, and because the president has committed to an $85 billion, ten-year plan to make sure that those weapons work," Alexander said on the Senate floor just now.
"I will vote for the treaty because it allows for inspection of Russian warheads, and because our military leaders say it does nothing to interfere with the development of a missile defense system. I will vote for the treaty because the last six Republican Secretaries of State support its ratification. In short, I'm convinced that Americans are safer and more secure with the new START treaty than without it."
Alexander also made clear that his support was tied to a commitment by the Obama administration to update and maintain America's weapons systems. And in addition -- after Alexander had previously voted to filibuster this same treaty last week -- he also criticized the Democrats for having worked on other big issues before the treaty now at hand:
A key Senate vote is expected on START later this morning -- to break a GOP filibuster and end debate so a final vote (requiring a two-thirds majority for ratification) can be held later this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment