Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to ratify the New START Treaty. The New START Treaty will require the United States and Russia, the two largest nuclear powers in the world, to reduce their stockpiles of of strategic nuclear warheads and launchers. It will put in place a strong regime so we can verify that the Russians are making nuclear reductions and conduct inspections of their nuclear facilities. The treaty will also allow the U.S. to maintain a safe and secure nuclear arsenal to maintain the defensive military capabilities which will are necessary for our national security. Larsen is a member of the House Armed Services’ Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, which oversees nuclear weapons for the United States.

“I applaud the U.S. Senate for ratifying the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia. This treaty will strengthen national and global security.

“Our military leaders have made it clear: this treaty is vital to our national security. In addition to reducing the nuclear arsenal of both the U.S. and Russia, it will allow U.S. inspectors to inspect nuclear sites to verify that Russia is complying.

“I am pleased that enough members of the Senate were able to put politics aside and vote to ratify this treaty so we can begin to reduce our nuclear arsenal and make the world a safer place. This treaty brings us a step closer to ending the proliferation of nuclear weapons across the world. I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to achieve a vision of a world without nuclear weapons.

###