WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is on track to ratify a new arms control treaty with Russia, a top foreign policy priority of President Barack Obama.
Republican Sens. Robert Bennett of Utah and Bob Corker of Tennessee said Tuesday they would vote for the treaty. Corker told reporters that the treaty will definitely pass and likely with a solid bipartisan vote. Earlier Tuesday morning, Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennesssee, the Senate’s No. 3 Republican, announced that he would back the accord.
The Constitution requires two-thirds of those voting in the Senate to ratify the pact. Democrats need at least nine Republican votes. Eight Republicans have said they would back the treaty and three others have said they are leaning toward approval.
A vote to end debate on the treaty was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
