OBAMA: New treaty worrisome

I am writing to express my concern over the new START treaty signed by President Obama on April 8. As your constituent, I request that you ask for a full and comprehensive review process before the Senate sets the ratification process in motion.

Beginning with committee hearings, all Senate consideration of the treaty should be conducted in a thorough and deliberative manner. If the process becomes rushed, or the policy implications of the treaty are detrimental to American security, the treaty should be rejected.

According to The Heritage Foundation, the long, complicated treaty raises numerous questions the Senate must address. It advances nuclear disarmament while rejecting measures that could protect against a nuclear attack. The treaty also inhibits improvements to our conventional force capability. Ironically, the treaty could actually encourage a new nuclear arms race, making us less safe.

During your consideration of the START treaty, you should insist on clear answers to the following questions:

• Can the Russians use the treaty essentially to veto America’s missile defense system?

• Is it possible for the Russians to game the system to make compliance impossible to verify?

• Will the Obama administration limit the modernization of America’s nuclear arsenal and weapons infrastructure?

• Could the treaty inadvertently limit bombers and launchers used for conventional purposes?

• Would implementation of the treaty result in American job losses?

If the answer to any one of these questions is “yes,” then the treaty threatens to undermine America’s security future and you have the obligation to vote no.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your thoughtful response and careful consideration of the START treaty.

MARY-JANE CLANCY

Post Falls