Iowans who listen to the corporate media might believe that the New START Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States is stalled is a limbo of Republican obstructionism. What is closer to the truth is that delays in the treaty's ratification by the United States Senate are related to a grand bargain among Senate Republicans that has little to do with the treaty itself. In a November 24 memo to his Republican Senate colleagues, Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), framed the grand bargain:

“We appreciate your willingness to consider New START in the context of modernization of our nuclear complex and the weapons it supports.”

While “earmarks” do not apply to a treaty, the Republican caucus has decided to go along with Senator Kyl in seeking funding for modernization of the nuclear complex as a quid pro quo for ratification of New START. In response, the administration has pledged $85 billion over ten years. Linton Brooks, the head of the National Nuclear Security Administration in the Bush administration, said in April, “I’d have killed for that budget and that much high-level attention in the administration.” Like it or not, the deal could be done. So what's the problem? It boils down to Senator Kyl and the interests he represents.

According to Daryl G. Kimball, Executive Director of the Arms Control Association, “Senator Kyl's November 24 letter…makes it clear he can’t take “yes” for an answer and that he’s trying to move the goalposts.”

In order to assert power, the Republican caucus has done well to maintain discipline and vote as a block on most of the important issues. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has been an active participant in maintaining this discipline. However, because the New START Treaty, more than the grand bargain of the Republicans, is directly related to our national security, the Republican shield is liable to crack, especially if a vote is forced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). A picture Blog for Iowa would like to see is Senate Republicans filibustering against the best advice of our military and diplomatic leaders regarding United States national security over minutiae related to their grand bargain. Iowans and Americans will see through that.

Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has publicly supported ratification of New START. He is the only Republican Senator to do so and he recently rebuked his colleagues for seeking to delay consideration of the treaty by the full Senate. Their silence continues, waiting for Senator Kyl to be satisfied.

Most Iowans, including the author, don't have the patience to get down into the weeds of the Republican approach to the New START Treaty and the nuclear complex very often. What we do know is that we dislike the quid pro quo haggling between Senator Kyl and the administration over national security, especially when it appears that Senator Kyl is not negotiating in good faith.

So what we can do, and what Blog for Iowa asks you to do, is to call our United States Senators, Senator Grassley in particular, and ask them to help reset our relationship with Russia by voting to ratify the New START Treaty when it is considered by the Senate. The whole world is watching, and waiting for the United States to lead.