Gates, Clinton Say No Secret Negotiations Taking Place On START

By Sarah Mamula
Talk Radio News Service

Though U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dimitry Medvedev signed the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) in Prague this past April, Congress has to yet to ratify.

Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton defended START, saying it will limit strategic offensive arms in both the U.S. and Russia in order to ensure stability and predictability between the two nations that together, possess 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons.

Despite bipartisan enthusiasm for ratification, Ranking Member John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he has concerns over the potential constraints in missile defense due to the inclusion of Article 5, as well as a unilateral statement made by Russia at the time of the signing that stated Russia would only validate START if the U.S. halted its defense missile build-up.

“That is a strong statement at the time of the signing,” said McCain.

Clinton, however, downplayed its significance, telling the committee, “We are not bound by it. In fact, we’ve issued our own statement making clear that the United States intends to continue improving and deploying effective missile defense systems.”

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, who also testified, agreed with Clinton’s view that neither Article 5 nor Russia's statement would affect U.S. missile defense capabilities.

According to Gates, the new START retains U.S. power to maintain, modernize and deploy “the most effective missile defenses possible.”

When questioned about a recent press report claiming that secret negotiations regarding restrictions on defense missiles were occurring, Clinton defended the transparency of the U.S.-Russia negotiations on the treaty.

“There is no secret deal,” she stressed. “There is no plan to limit U.S. missile defenses in this treaty.”

Activist Interrupts BP CEOs Capitol Hill Appearance

By Robert Hune-Kalter-Talk Radio News

BP CEO Tony Hayward’s testimony before the Energy and Finance Committee on the oil spill off the Gulf Coast was interrupted Thursday by a vocal member of the activist group Codepink.

“You need to be charged for this crime,” Diane Wilson, a fourth generation shrimper, shouted.

Capitol police removed Wilson from the Committee room in what appeared to be a struggle. According to an officer, she was charged with disrupting Congress and resisting arrest. Wilson was arrested last week after pouring maple syrup on herself during another hearing on the BP spill.

When Hayward continued, he emphasized the around the clock efforts of BP to stop the leak and help those affected by the ongoing crisis in the Gulf Coast region.

“We are currently drilling two relief wells, which we believe represents the ultimate solution,” Hayward noted.

Pentagon Needs War Funding By July 4, Says Gates

By Robert Hune-Kalter
Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that the military may soon have to resort to doing “stupid things” unless Congress passes a $33 supplemental spending request.

The Senate already approved a measure, but the version in the House has stalled. With funding for the Navy and Marine Corps set to dry up next month, Gates called on the lower chamber to get its act together.

“We begin to have to do stupid things if the supplemental is not passed by July 4,” he said.

Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also defended the DOD’s budget request for 2011.

“These budget requests reflect America’s commitment to see that our forces have the tools they need to prevail in the wars we are in, and while making the investments necessary to prepare for threats on or beyond the horizon,” said Gates.

DOD is requesting $549 billion dollars for 2011. Gates discussed major priorities of the department and named areas that have been terminated or completed from the 2010 budget. There was discussion on the completion of the C-17 Globemaster and foreseeable closure of the production line.

“I question why it is in our nation’s interest to close the only active production line for long range air lifters when there is no replacement being developed,” said Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.)

Mullen said that based on extensive studies, the requirement for the C-17 is not needed beyond the 223 currently in service. He stressed the importance of balance between the advancement of all aspects of the military.

“We must maintain our conventional advantages,” said Mullen. “It means never having to fight a fair fight.”

Bipartisan Collection Of Lawmakers Demand Long-Lasting Support For Israel

By Alexa Gitler-Talk Radio News Service

A group of bipartisan Congressmen said Wednesday that they defended Israel’s right to protect its citizens against terrorist threats and denounced calls for the UN to conduct an external investigation into the May 31 incident involving the Gaza blockade.

“Support for Israel in this Congress and in this nation, is bipartisan, and we are here simply to speak with one voice to support Israel’s right to protect themselves as a sovereign democratic nation,” said Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY).

Engel, joined by Congressmen Ted Poe (R-TX), Minority Whip Eric Cantor (VA), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Mike Pence (R-IN) and Pete King (R-NY), came to a consensus regarding America's involvement with Israel. The biparitsan group said that, collectively, the United States should stand with Israel and vigorously fight against the U.N. and their bias treatment towards Israel.

“We are here not only to urge this administration to veto any such resolution [from the UN directed towards Israel] but to stand up and speak up in opposition to such right now,” Cantor said.

Poe announced that a letter he co-authored with Representative Gary Peters (D-MI) was signed by 126 bipartisan Congressmen, including Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) and Minority Leader John Boehner (OH), and is being sent to President Barack Obama today.

“The U.S. must continue to stand by Israel and continue to use U.S. influence and, if necessary, veto power to prevent any biased or one-sided resolutions from passing [in the UN],” said Poe.

“The United States needs to do everything in its power to stand by our most reliable ally on the planet, the only democracy in a very dangerous part in the world,” Berkley said. "Stand as one with the state of Israel, that’s where our destiny lies, that' where we should be and that’s where we need to be."

Landmark Legislation Paves Way For Nonprofits

Sarah Mamula - Talk Radio News Service

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) announced Wednesday that she will introduce new legislation that will help mold a stronger partnership between the federal government and nonprofit organizations, especially those who have direct influences in the healthcare and education sectors.

According to the Democrat, one in ten individuals are employed by nonprofit organizations, however, the nonprofit sector lacks adequate representation and wants their relationship with the government to undergo major improvement.

Among Rep. McCollum’s supporters is the National Council of Nonprofits, whose mission is to force legislators to recognize the involvement of nonprofits in America and its communities. Council president Tim Delaney said that nonprofit organizations nationwide are not receiving the governmental recognition that they deserve.

“We have a government that can tell us with precision how many iceberg lettuce heads were pulled out of the ground last year,” Delaney said. “Yet it cannot tell us how many heads of individuals were employed by nonprofits. Why are iceberg lettuce heads more valuable than the people who take care of America’s communities?”

Rep. McCollum said that she plans to raise awareness of the vital civic, social and economic contributions nonprofit organizations make to the United States. The Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act will improve the relationship between the government and nonprofit organizations by improving the governmental coordination and support of nonprofit organizations. The legislation will also work to increase the influence the organizations have in addressing the domestic challenges their communities face.

“Every community in America is strengthened by the work of nonprofit organizations,” said Rep. McCollum. “Their needs are not being addressed by Congress or the administration, and that must change.”