Andrew Aylward: Dems near finish line on START treaty

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Democrats in the Senate are confident that they will have the votes necessary to ratify the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that President Obama signed with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in April.

Ratification requires 67 votes and would mark another legislative win for Democrats in what is shaping up to be a not-so-lame lame duck session. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV.) has moved for cloture on Tuesday. A ratification vote is expected on Wednesday.

While Republican Sens. John McCain (AZ.), Lindsey Graham (NC.), and Mitch McConnell (KY.) are all outspoken critics of START, fearing limits on U.S. missile defense, a number of moderate Republicans have either pledged support or are leaning in that direction. They include Sens. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine, and Bob Bennett of Utah.

The nuclear arms treaty would limit both Russia and the U.S. to 1,550 strategic warheads each, down from a previous level of 2,200. Land, sea, and air missile launchers would also be limited to 800, and a provision in the treaty outlines a monitoring and surveillance system.

While it seems the votes necessary to end debate and move forward to a final vote will be present, the biggest challenge for Democrats may prove to be working through Republican amendments and maintaining support of Republicans throughout at least one more day of debate.

Posted By: Carolyn Lochhead (Email) | December 20 2010 at 09:18 AM

Listed Under: Obama Foreign Policy