Republicans reluctant to “quickly ratify a nuclear weapons deal with Russia said Tuesday the Obama administration had addressed some of their concerns, raising the prospect for Senate approval of the landmark treaty,” the AP reports.
Republicans, led by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., have rejected the president’s contention that the treaty must be dealt with during Congress’ lame-duck session, arguing that the Senate has more pressing business and several issues on the nuclear deal remain unresolved.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said Tuesday that administration officials responded late Monday night to several matters raised by Kyl and himself about modernization of the remaining nuclear arsenal and sufficient funds for safeguarding the stockpile.
"I thought they did a good job. I think it’s continuing to evolve in a good way as it relates to modernization," Corker said in an interview. He later added, "Could we finish? I think it’s possible that we could."
[…]
Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, who earlier this month questioned the treaty’s impact on the former Soviet satellite nations, told reporters, "I’d like to get it done, but in my conscience I want to feel it’s the right thing to do."
More Voinovich, per the Wall Street Journal.
In an interview with Washington Wire, Mr. Voinovich said unified support out of the Lisbon summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization this month convinced him that Europe, especially Eastern Europe, wants the treaty. He had based his concerns on his belief that the treaty’s ratification could bring a return to Russian dominance of Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
“There seems to be a lot of coming together there and a lot more comfort [with the treaty] among our friends and allies in Europe,” Mr. Voinovich said. “I think I’d be supportive.”
Congress in Your Pocket
