April 09, 2010

Barbara Lee Statement on Signing of Nuclear Arms Treaty

For Immediate Release
April 9, 2010
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661

 

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Lee released the following statement following the signing of a new U.S.-Russia strategic nuclear arms control agreement by President Obama and Russian President Medvedev. The nuclear arms agreement would replace the expired START Treaty and associated verification regime that is critical to monitoring compliance with treaty obligations including nuclear arms reductions.

“President Obama, through the recent release of the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) and today’s historic signing of the “New START Treaty,” has laid the groundwork for renewed international cooperation to strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation regime and meaningful action toward the ultimate goal of nuclear disarmament.”

“The United States cannot afford to maintain a nuclear weapons policy that is trapped in the confines of a cold-war era defense framework. Further efforts to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons will require bold steps beyond those already on the table.”

“With that in mind, I applaud the President’s leadership on this issue, his persistence in calling for a Global Nuclear Security Summit to build upon these confidence-building measures, and his commitment to ensure a safer world for our children and grandchildren through the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons.”

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