Its not to
o late: you can still make an appeal to the United States Senate to vote on the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) before the adjournment of the 111th Congress on January 4th. The New START Treaty is a treaty between the United States and Russia that will reduce the nuclear weapons of each country by about a third, which is the lowest level in more than fifty years. The bill will help remove more than ninety percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.
The START Treaty has a long history; it was signed in July 1991 and entered into force in December 1994. Since it expired in December 2009, and there have not been any verifiable nuclear arms control agreements in effect between the United States and Russia. 
If you think back to last October when we screened Countdown to Zero at our Global Voices Film Festival, you will remember the scientists, world leaders, and security experts discussing alarming realities of the present situation.
The ramifications of the blockage of the Treaty are substantial. Without ratification, there will be no U.S. inspectors on the ground and the ability to verify Russia’s nuclear activities will cease. An additional issue facing the U.S. is that Russia has warned the Senate against amending the Treaty. If the Treaty is not ratified, both countries will be sent back to the negotiating table. Despite the tensions regarding the bill, Democrats have expressed their confidence in the passage of the treaty.
In the spirit of International Human Solidarity Day, make your appeal today! The Treaty is rumored to go up for vote as early as tomorrow (Tuesday) so call now.
For those in the Boston area, contact your Massachusetts Senators now:
The Honorable Scott P. Brown
United States Senate
317 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2101
The Honorable John F. Kerry
United States Senate
218 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2102
-Alex.