New START Wins In U.S. Senate!

In a dramatic show of bi-partisan support for national security, the United States Senate voted today to give its advice and consent to pass the Resolution of Ratification of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) by a vote of 71 to 26. A roll call vote is available here.

“This holiday, the Senate gave up partisan bickering and agreed with civilian and military leaders, activists, religious and state elected leaders, as well as a long list of former administrations’ experts. It was the perfect gift of security for the nation,” stated Susan Shaer, Executive Director of WAND, Women’s Action for New Directions.

The New START Treaty replaces the 15-year-old treaty that expired in December of 2009. A 2/3 vote of those present and voting was needed for passage. In the days leading up to the vote on December 22^nd, WAND watched as Republicans, one by one, declared first their support to bring up the treaty, then vote to end debate (cloture), and finally committed that they would vote in favor of the treaty itself.

We continued to work vigilantly for this treaty’s ratification until all votes were counted. With this decisive victory, all WAND and WiLL^*members let out a collective sigh. “Nice. Peace on earth, good will to all and a real step forward for security,” commented Kathy Robinson, WAND’s Public Policy Director.

WAND sent out countless alerts, trained activists from targeted states, led meetings with Senators, coordinated with state-based organizations, placed op-eds and letters to the editor, spoke on the radio, circulated petitions and sign on letters, placed ads, made thousands of phone calls, and re-energized those who know in their hearts and heads that contemporary challenges need a contemporary response- and that the Cold War is over.

To the WAND Chapters and WiLL members who stepped up and took on this subject with vigor, and to the new partners and friends we made along the way: Congratulations!

We couldn’t have done it without you.

Best,

The WAND/WiLL Team

Susan, Nan, Sharon, Kathy, Adzi, Sara, Maureen, Elizabeth, Elaina, Franck, and Julie

P.S. - We’re happy to help if you’d like to write a letter to the editor about New START’s success. Please contact Kathy Robinson at krobinson@wand.org. We also encourage you to write a note of thanks to Senators who voted to ratify this essential treaty. Read the voices of women who have spoken out for START here.