In an effort to push for the ratification of a new nuclear arms treaty with Russia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went to Capitol Hill to urge the lame-duck Congress to vote on the measure immediately.
START 1 (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), which was implemented in 1991 between former President George H.W. Bush and Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, expired last December. In April a new START treaty was signed in Europe by President Obama and Russian President Demetri Medvedev.
The new treaty boasts an agreement between both Russia and the United States to reduce strategic warheads to 1,550 a piece and to cap ballistic missile launchers and bombers at 800 each. Only after the governments in both countries approve the treaty will it go into effect.
"This is a national security imperative," said President Obama. "The stakes for national security are clear, and they are high."
In Congress the treaty needs 67 votes for final approval in the Senate. The measure has garnered support from both Democrats and Republicans. However, the Obama Administration was thrown a curve ball this week when Republican Sen. Jon Kyl--a driving force behind the treaty--announced he does not want Congress to vote on the legislation during a lame-duck session. For the Obama administration, START is a major foreign policy issue that they want Congress to pass this year.
Quotes
"We hope our friends in the Senate will pass this treaty, and then I can inform the Russians that it's their turn to do the same." --Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
"I reiterated my commitment to get the START treaty done during the lame-duck session. And I have communicated to Congress that it is a top priority." --President Barack Obama
Warm Up Questions
1. What are nuclear weapons?
2. Where is Russia?
3. What is a treaty?
Discussion Questions
1. In regard to the START treaty, why do you suppose Russia and the United States must agree on reducing their nuclear arms at the same time?
2. What is the history between the Russia and the United States? Have the two countries had a good relationship?
3. What kind of deals do you negotiate at school or at home? What is the toughest part of finding agreement?
Additional Resources
U.S. and Russia Agree to Historic Nuclear Arms Treaty
Obama Administration to Make Push for Ratification of New START
