START treaty advances to debate; ratification remains uncertain

The Senate on Wednesday voted to move forward to formal debate on a long-stalled nuclear arms treaty with Russia, but it remains unclear if the votes exist to ratify it.

A motion to proceed was approved 66-32, with only a simple majority needed to pass it. Nine Republicans joined all 57 Democrats who took the vote in support of moving forward on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). Sens. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and Mike EnziMichael (Mike) Bradley EnziWyoming mask mandate backed by GOP lawmakers goes into effect Republican Cynthia Lummis wins Wyoming Senate election Bottom line MORE (R-Wyo.) did not vote.

"Now is the moment; this is the time to proceed forward," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John KerryJohn KerryOvernight Energy: Trump EPA finalizes air rule that critics say favors polluters | Zinke, in official and unofficial portraits, returns to Interior on horseback | Vilsack gets lukewarm response as Biden Agriculture pick from those seeking reformed USDA Biden to champion climate action in 2021 Biden's foreign policy team has a surprising lack of diversity MORE (D-Mass.) said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference on Capitol Hill.

"Yes, I believe we will have the votes," he predicted.

The White House has vowed that the Senate would ratify START — a key element of its push to "reset" negotiations with Russia — before Christmas. Ratification requires the votes of 67 senators. Assuming all Democrats vote yes, nine Republican votes would be needed to pass START.

Reid reached a deal on Wednesday with Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) in which DeMint agreed to drop his threat to force a full floor reading of START. In exchange, Reid agreed to postpone debate on the arms treaty until Thursday.

Most Senate Republicans remained steadfast in their opposition to ratifying START during the lame-duck session, warning that they could jeopardize the chances of ratification if their concerns with missile defense and nuclear modernization are not addressed.
 
"What we all share is a belief that is not a good idea," Sen. Jon Kyl (Ariz.), the chief GOP negotiator on the treaty, said at a press conference.

"This is a last-minute Christmastime stunt that puts a major arms treaty in jeopardy," Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar AlexanderLamar AlexanderBipartisan fix for 'surprise' medical bills hits roadblock Bipartisan fix for 'surprise' medical bills hits roadblock with powerful chairman McConnell chokes up saying goodbye to 'friend' Lamar Alexander in floor speech MORE (Tenn.) said.

---

But Republicans did not say if they have the votes to defeat the treaty. By contrast, Democrats predicted they will have the votes to ratify it.

Kyl, who convened a press conference with seven other GOP senators following the vote, has proposed that the Senate take up the treaty the week of Jan. 24, then allow for a week of debate without the time constraints of the lame duck.

Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainArizona GOP asks if followers willing to give their lives to 'stop the steal' Smearing presidential election will turn off young voters and undermine democracy Choking — not cheating — was Trump's undoing MORE (R-Ariz.), the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, endorsed Kyl's stance in a radio interview earlier Thursday, but did not attend the press conference.

Republican Sens. Bob Bennett (Utah), Scott Brown (Mass.), Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsBipartisan group unveils new details on COVID-19 relief measure Democratic senators push for ,200 direct payments in new coronavirus relief package Bipartisan support for new PPP loans gains momentum in Congress MORE (Maine), Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamChris Cuomo on Lindsey Graham: 'You don't mean save the country. You mean save your ass' Momentum stalls for COVID-19 relief bill Harrison seen as front-runner to take over DNC at crucial moment MORE (S.C.), Dick Lugar (Ind.), McCain, Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiUS dependence on China for rare earth minerals is a disaster waiting to happen Voters have demanded bold leadership and common sense, not partisan gridlock Women make record-breaking gains across state legislatures MORE (Alaska), Olympia Snowe (Maine) and George Voinovich (Ohio) voted to advance the treaty.

Of those, only Lugar, Collins and Snowe have fully backed ratification.

In a bad sign for the White House, Sens. Bob CorkerRobert (Bob) Phillips CorkerGOP lawmaker patience runs thin with Trump tactics Former GOP senator: Republicans cannot let Trump's 'reckless' post-election claims stand Cornyn: Relationships with Trump like 'women who get married and think they're going to change their spouse' MORE (R-Tenn.) and Johnny IsaksonJohnny IsaksonGeorgia Senate battle is a high stakes poker game Collins urges voters to turn out in Georgia runoffs Ossoff, Warnock to knock on doors in runoff campaigns MORE (R-Ga.) — who voted for START at the committee level three months ago — voted no on Wednesday.

Democrats said that adhering to Kyl's strategy would be imprudent, considering that the treaty has been on the table for months.

They also pressured Republicans, arguing that GOP foreign-policy heavyweights, including former President George H.W. Bush, back the treaty.

"Why delay it?" Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne FeinsteinDianne Emiel FeinsteinDurbin to become top Democrat on Judiciary panel, keep No. 2 spot Durbin's fate unclear after rule change vote sparks disarray Senate Democrats to vote on leadership rules amid power struggle MORE (D-Calif.) asked. 

Kerry said that leaders "intend" to take a final vote "sometime this year," leaving open the possibility the Senate could take it up after the Christmas break, should Reid decide to reconvene the upper chamber.

"We'd rather lose it now with the crowd that's done the work on it" than gamble with a defeat next year, Kerry said.

—This article was updated at 5:46 p.m. and at 3:19 p.m. on Dec. 16