Meghan Hughes (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1417)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made the following statement regarding the ratification of the New START Treaty.  Graham voted against the treaty, which passed the Senate by a vote of 71 - 26. 

"I fear the Obama Administration will blink when the Russians object to our future missile defense plans.  To this day, the Russians continue to claim that the Treaty has tied our hands when it comes to deployment of all four stages of strategic missile defense. 

"The Senate debate was supposed to be the time to clear up these points of contention and confusion.  Unfortunately, efforts to do so were defeated.  The Treaty was jammed through the lame duck without adequate review and with limited amendments. 

"We live in a dangerous world.  Our nation and allies remain at risk from missile attacks by rogue regimes in Iran and North Korea.  America must have a strong, strategic missile defense system. 

"Finally, I found it very offensive to hear from the Russian government that Russia would back out of the treaty if we changed a single word.  In essence they said ‘Take it or Leave It’.  I chose to leave it." 

####