US: Republicans 'have hit new low' over US nuclear treaty

Published on Wednesday 15 December 2010 15:20

The White House accused Senate Republicans of reaching a "new low" in political gamesmanship yesterday for attempting to force the START nuclear arms control treaty with Russia to be read aloud in its entirety on the chamber floor.

The treaty is 17 pages long, but the accompanying protocol takes up 165 pages and attachments could make a reading long and complicated.

President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev signed the pact in April, giving Senators months to review the treaty.

In a scathing statement, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs assailed Republicans who have vowed to stall the long-awaited debate on the treaty by forcing the pact to be read aloud in the Senate. The treat would lower the cap on nuclear warheads for both countries and establish a system for monitoring and verification.

"This is a new low in putting political stunts ahead of our national security, and it is exactly the kind of Washington game-playing the American people are sick of," Mr Gibbs said.

Supporters of the treaty are pushing for ratification in this legislative session as prospects for passage will dim when the Democrats' majority shrinks by five senators next month.

Senate minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the only imperatives for the waning days of Congress' lame-duck session are legislation extending tax cuts for two years and a measure to keep the government operating.

The White House has signalled Mr Obama would delay his Christmas holiday to ensure ratification of the treaty. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid threatened to keep lawmakers in session through Christmas and New Year's Day if necessary.