WASHINGTON - April 8 - The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), signed today by President Obama and Russian President Medvedev, is, "a historic step towards addressing our nation's primary public health challenge - the continued risk of a nuclear weapon detonating in a city in the United States of America," according to the Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR).  

"PSR calls on the Senate to work towards the ratification of the START in the same bi-partisan spirit that has been a characteristic of previous discussions on arms control treaties. Without the two largest nuclear arsenals in the world making these initial modest cuts, we will continue to see the spread and threat of nuclear weapons increase," said PSR Executive Director Dr. Peter Wilk. "With strong leadership from both Democrats and Republicans, we can reduce that threat, improve our security and send a message to the world that the days of nuclear weapons are numbered."  

"One of the important elements of this treaty is that it provides a state of the art verification process that will replace the weak alternative created by the Moscow Treaty under President Bush," said PSR Security Programs Director David Hart. "While New START contains modest cuts, equally important is that this agreement sets the stage for nuclear disarmament to be placed back on the international agenda and for improved, more stable relations with Russia."

Click here to hear PSR Executive Director Peter Wilk's thoughts on new START and Bridget Nolan's breakdown of the Treaty ratification process.