WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the signing of a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) by President Obama and Russian President Medvedev earlier today in Prague.
“The signing of the new START treaty between the United States and Russia marks the ongoing commitment of both nations to nuclear security. It is good for America’s national security and the safety of the American people, but it also is crafted to provide our military with the flexibility it needs to maintain optimum deterrence. I hope the signing of this strategic arms control agreement, with its strong verification and transparency provisions, truly marks the intended new era of cooperation in US-Russian relations.
“As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues this summer as we review the details of this historic treaty. Building on the Administration’s recently released Nuclear Posture Review and next week’s Nuclear Security Summit; the new START treaty will now allow the U.S. to focus its attention on reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism and controlling the spread of nuclear weapons nations.”
Senator Cardin also serves as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee.
