Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Benny Martinez
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Senator Robert Casey (D-Pa.) expressed extreme optimism Thursday that the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) signed last month in Prague by President Barack Obama will be ratified despite fears of GOP opposition.

During a press conference held at the Center for American Progress in downtown Washington, D.C., Casey said the new START agreement “is a renewal of America’s commitment to diminishing the threat posed by nuclear weapons and nuclear material.”

The Democratic Senator said that START makes America a safer place by instilling a more transparent nuclear arms system. He also said that the new treaty demonstrates that the U.S. is upholding its disarmament obligation under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

“The new START agreement is a necessary step in reaffirming leadership on the non-proliferation issues,” Casey said. “Without a clear commitment...it will be increasingly difficult for the United States to secure international support.”

Casey acknowledged that there are critics of the new START treaty, and fears of GOP opposition still linger. But expressed a high degree of confidence that the new treaty will be ratified.

“We will achieve ratification in the Senate,” Casey said.