From NEWSMAX:
As the Senate geared up for a showdown over the New START treaty Monday, opposition grew as leading Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, raised serious questions about loopholes involving verification and other facets of the proposed nuclear pact between Russia and the United States.
Among the major developments:
- McConnell announced Sunday that he will oppose the treaty, saying that Democrats are trying to “jam” it through without serious examination.
- The Senate on Sunday blocked a Republican-sponsored amendment that would have changed the preamble to include language on tactical weapons and the “inter-relationship between non-strategic and strategic offensive arms.”
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, another potential vote for the treaty, also voiced his opposition, saying he’d write to the Russians to clarify matters he believes the Obama administration has muddled.
- A letter written by President Obama to McConnell to sway Republican holdouts seemed to have little effect. Obama crafted the letter after an amendment sponsored by Sen. John McCain was also voted down…
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