The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“START” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S6235 on June 8, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
START
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, there are three things I would specifically like to address today. First, briefly, a matter of concern to the Senate, namely the ongoing negotiations between the United States and the Russian Federation on the so-called START follow-on. Specifically, I am concerned that the administration is heading toward a confrontation with the Senate that could easily be avoided.
I ask unanimous consent to have two letters printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(See Exhibit 1.)
Mr. KYL. Mr. President, the first is one I sent as Administrative Co-
Chairman of the successor to the Arms Control Observer Group--to Assistant Secretary of State Rose Gottemoeller, prior to her confirmation by the Senate. The second letter is the response that I received from her.
The response makes clear that Assistant Secretary Gottemoeller would regularly consult with Senate committees and the National Security Working Group. In fact, the response from Ambassador Michael Polt, the then-Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, quotes Ms. Gottemoeller in her confirmation hearing: ``For me, consultation is not a catch word. It is a commitment.''
The National Security Working Group was established to provide a forum for the administration, any administration, to meet with and consult with a bipartisan group of Senators concerning matters that the administration may seek to advance through the Senate, especially on matters requiring the Senate's advice and consent.
The value of this working group was also recognized in the recent final report of the Perry-Schlesinger Commission.
I remind the administration: this is advice and consent.
If the administration wants to have the Senate on board when it concludes the treaty negotiation process--for example, when and if it attempts to have a treaty ratified by this body, it would be prudent for the administration to live up to its commitments and ensure thorough consultation with the Senate so it is on board at the beginning of the process.
I hope that this is possible. I believe it still is, but the administration must reverse course quickly.
Exhibit 1
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC, April 1, 2009.Hon. Rose Gottemoeller,Assistant Secretary of State for Verification, Compliance and
Implementation--Nominated, Department of State,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Gottemoeller: Congratulations on your nomination to be Assistant Secretary of State for Verification, Compliance and Implementation. This is an extremely important position; if confirmed, you will be the point person on matters with the greatest impact on the national security of the United States.
I was reassured by your response to Senator Lugar during the Foreign Relations Committee hearing on your nomination regarding your familiarity with the historical role played by the Arms Control Observer Group, now known as the National Security Working Group (NSWG), which, as you know, has the responsibility--by Senate Resolution--to support the Senate's advice and consent role by understanding in real time the Administration's negotiation positions on arms control matters and providing the Administration with feedback as to the perspective of Senators on those positions.
As Senator Lugar noted, the Arms Control Observer Group was created at the behest of President Reagan, who understood that it was vital for the Senate to be well-versed in ongoing negotiations--in that case, on arms control treaties--from the very beginning, so that it would be more likely the Administration could negotiate a treaty that the Senate would be able to support and ratify.
As you know, the National Security Working Group has been given the responsibility, on behalf of the Senate, to ``act as official observers on the United States delegation to any formal negotiations to which the United States is a party on the reduction of nuclear, conventional, or chemical arms.'' In the past, it has been helpful for the Administration to provide regular briefings to the Members and designated staff of the Arms Control Observer Group throughout the formal and informal negotiation process.
In reviewing your response to Senator Lugar, it is clear to me that you understand the statutory and historical role of this Senate body. As an Administrative Co-Chairman of the National Security Working Group, I look forward to ensuring that this productive relationship between the Administration and the Senate continues.
I agree with Senator Lugar that this will be all the more important this year. In fact, in view of the commitment of Presidents Obama and Medvedev to reach an agreed draft on the next START treaty well in advance of the December 5th expiration of the current START treaty, we should probably begin briefings and consultation between the Administration and NSWG soon.
I hope you could begin discussing these matters with the NSWG Members and staff immediately upon your confirmation.
Sincerely,
Jon Kyl,United States Senator.
____
Department of State,
Washington, DC, April 2, 2009.Hon. Jon Kyl,U.S. Senate.
Dear Senator Kyl: Thank you for your letter of April 1 to Rose Gottemoeller, the President's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance, regarding the importance of consultation with the Congress and the National Security Working Group.
In Ms. Gottemoeller's testimony on March 26 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, she quoted a phrase from Secretary of State Clinton's statement before the Committee. She said, ``For me, consultation is not a catch word. It is a commitment.'' Ms. Gottemoeller fully shares the Secretary's commitment.
If she is confirmed by the Senate, Ms. Gottemoeller would be working with the Congress as a partner in addressing our national security challenges. She would provide regular and complete briefings to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Armed Services Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the National Security Working Group, and other relevant and interested organizations.
We expect the future Assistant Secretary to engage in a dynamic consultation process with you and others in the Congress on the key national security issues in the Bureau's portfolio, including the follow-on to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Polt,
Acting Assistant Secretary,Legislative Affairs.
____________________
