Chairman Kerry Welcomes Floor Debate On New START

Washington, D.C. – Following Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) announcement this afternoon regarding the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released this statement:

“This comes down to a question of the Senate’s will, not our capacity. The truth is, it’s well past time to protect the safety of the American people and reduce the odds of a nuclear catastrophe. Now is the time to put aside political differences and listen to our military leaders and statesmen of both parties. After months of hearings and hundreds of questions answered, we must use this time to approve the New START agreement.

“Majority Leader Reid has done the right thing by announcing that we will take up the treaty on the floor of the Senate this week. We absolutely have the time to debate it thoroughly and I believe we have the votes to approve this important agreement. I welcome the opportunity for my colleagues to air their concerns, and I welcome the opportunity for all of them to hear that this treaty is in America’s interest, but make no mistake, the time to do this is now rather than punt our responsibility to the next Senate.”

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