Van Hollen, Young Release Joint Statement on Biden Administration’s Action on New START Extension

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s efforts to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with Russia. The treaty, which is set to expire on February 5, 2021, imposes limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia. In August 2019, Senators Van Hollen and Young introduced bipartisan legislation to extend New START until 2026. More recently, in October 2020, the pair sent a letter advocating for New START extension.

“Over the last ten years, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty has advanced our national security and effectively constrained Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenal. Extending New START is clearly in our nation’s best interest, and that’s why we’re pleased to hear the Biden Administration is working to renew the Treaty with Russia for five years. We hope both sides are able to swiftly come to an agreement to preserve this important arms control accord.

“New START keeps a lid on Russia’s long-range nuclear capabilities that target the U.S. homeland and includes an extensive monitoring regime that provides us valuable insight into the operations, composition, and location of Russia’s nuclear forces. Critically, extending New START will also lay the groundwork for negotiating follow-on agreements with Russia and pursuing parallel efforts to engage China on arms control. 

“We look forward to working with the new Administration to continue our efforts to address nuclear weapons issues and craft an effective, durable arms control strategy.”