Heritage Action Praises Senator Voinovich's Principled Stand on New START Treaty
Urges Other Senators to Follow His Lead
Washington—Earlier today, Ohio Senator John Voinovich expressed his reservations about the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START). The Senator made it clear "political expediency" is not a valid justification "to rush" ratification and the Senate should view the treaty's implications "through a wider lens."
"Senator Voinovich's comments on New START were strong and powerful," Heritage Action's CEO Michael A. Needham said. "The Senator rightly understands the treaty could undermine our European allies and, if we do not address the treaty's flaws, will only embolden Moscow."
Senator Voinovich's floor speech came moments after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrapped up a rare Capitol Hill press briefing on the treaty, at which she urged the Senate to act "quickly."
"The administration's aggressive push to ratify the treaty during the Senate's lame duck session ignores the treaty's fatal flaws," Needham continued. "As Senator Voinovich said, we must be confident the treaty 'did not include side agreements or informal understandings.' We commend the Senator for his candid assessment and urge his fellow Senators to follow his lead."
Heritage Action for America's opposition to ratification stems from serious, substantive policy concerns. Earlier this month, Heritage Action targeted 10 states, including Arizona, Kentucky, and Tennessee, with direct mail pieces. The mailer urged constituents to call their Senators and tell them to oppose the treaty, which "put Russia's military interests ahead of our own."
With more than 700,000 members across the country, The Heritage Foundation and its sister organization, Heritage Action for America, are committed to building an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and a civil society flourish. To that end, Heritage Action will continue to oppose ratification of the New START Treaty.
For more information, visit heritageforamerica.org.
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