Quigley Urges Senate to Pass the New START Agreement

Today, Congressman Quigley spoke on the House floor about the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), urging the Senate to put national security ahead of politics and ratify the treaty. A video of the speech is below, followed by a transcript.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to urge my colleagues in the Senate to ratify the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, immediately. Because every day we wait to ratify START is one more day that Russia's nuclear arsenal goes unexpected.

When our last nuclear arms treaty with Russia expired last December, so did our ability to inspect their nuclear sites. This means no Americans have inspected Russian nuclear facilities for almost a year. Despite the urgent need to ratify this vital treaty, which also reduces unneeded nuclear stockpiles, and builds much needed confidence with Russia, some members in the other body have continued to stall, putting politics ahead of national security.

START has been through 18 hearings, is endorsed by dozens of foreign policy and defense experts, and passed out of committee with strong bipartisan majority. Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim to be the strongest proponents of national security. Ratification of START is an opportunity for them to act on these claims and keep America and our allies safe. Thank you. I yield back.