Washington, D.C.— Today, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) released the statement below following President Obama’s announcement that the U.S. and Russia reached a nuclear arms deal:

“The President’s announcement that the U.S. has reached a nuclear arms agreement with Russia is a welcome addition to our continuing work to strengthen U.S. national security. Although I have not yet had an opportunity to review the New START Treaty, I am encouraged that an agreement has been reached and will closely examine this treaty in the days ahead.

“I view this agreement as a positive development that should benefit U.S., Russian, and global security as whole.   The agreement will send a clear message to the world, and should assist President Obama in his efforts to impose stiffer punishments on nations accused of violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty when he meets with that treaty’s signatory nations in May.”

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