Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voted to move the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) from committee to Ratification.

“Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee took a major step in reaffirming America’s leadership role in nuclear reduction and non proliferation by passing the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) by a vote of 14 to 4.  The expiration of the original START Treaty in December created a void in our monitoring and verification process;  today’s passage of the New START Treaty marks another step towards  providing our nation with the transparency needed to guarantee a safe and secure reduction of nuclear stockpiles.

“Over the past several months my colleagues and I have met with leading experts from government, academia and the private industry to discuss the merits of New START, as a result of these discussions I can express with confidence that the ratification of this treaty will greatly enhance our national security. I am sure my colleagues will join me in recognizing the necessity to ratify this treaty.  Coupled with the Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review, the successful ratification of this treaty will present a more secure America, enabling us to focus our attention on defeating nuclear terrorism and controlling the spread of nuclear weapons.”

Senator Cardin also serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee.