BFIA New START Treaty Update
by Paul DeatonThere have been a lot of developments towards ratification of the New START Treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation since today's article posted at 5AM. Here is a brief update:
The two U.S. Senators from Maine Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) announced their support for the treaty. That makes three Republicans, including Richard Lugar (R-IN), publicly in favor of ratification. Senator John McCain (R-AZ), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee has indicated that the Republicans are very close to agreement.
Jonathan Weisman of the Wall Street Journal reported, “White House officials said Friday that they have the 67 Senate votes needed to ratify a new U.S. nuclear-arms accord with Russia, and President Barack Obama will delay his planned vacation in Hawaii until the Senate votes.”
The author has talked to a lot of people during the past 24 hours, from across Iowa, and everyone I talk to has indicated that they will call Senators Harkin and Grassley again. Many have the senators programmed into their mobile phones. To everyone who has called, thanks. If you haven't and would like to, here are the numbers:
Senator Harkin: (202) 224 – 3254
~Paul Deaton is a
native Iowan living in rural Johnson County and weekend editor of
Blog for Iowa. E-mail
Paul Deaton
Blog For Iowa 