Biden: GOP Endangering U.S. National Security by Stalling Russia Nuclear Pact

By Associated Press

Updated: November 16, 2010 | 4:30 p.m.
November 16, 2010 | 4:20 p.m.

HOLLYWOOD, FL - SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks as he attends a Florida Democratic Party event in honor of Florida's Democratic candidates at The Westin Diplomat Hotel on September 24, 2010 in Hollywood, Florida. Biden was in South Florida for fundraisers and to support Democratic candidates running in the Florida elections. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden says Senate failure to ratify a pending nuclear arms treaty with Russia would endanger U.S. national security.

Biden responded bluntly as prospects for Senate ratification of the agreement in the current lame-duck congressional session faded fast on Tuesday.

Sen. Jon Kyl, who is the leading Republican senator on the treaty, said he didn't think the issue should be considered this year. Kyl cited a busy Senate agenda and the complexity of the treaty. Democrats are unlikely to be able to move forward without him.

Biden said without ratification, Americans will have no way to verify Russia's strategic nuclear arsenal.

He said it would weaken cooperation between two nations that hold 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons.

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