Sen. Robert Bennett has courageously joined his voice with the chorus of prominent Republican (and Democratic) national security experts who are singing praises of President Barack Obama’s New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia, including former Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former National Security Adviser Gen. Brent Scowcroft and Sen. Richard Lugar, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

These men understand that the United States has now gone more than 250 days — the longest time since 1994 — without critical monitoring and verification of Russia’s nuclear weapons. Ratification of New START is the only way to recover this important information about one of Earth’s largest nuclear weapons arsenals.

Now that Bennett has voiced his support for New START, where is Sen. Orrin Hatch? For a man who dedicates so much of his free time to penning patriotic songs, why is Hatch so timid about raising his voice in support of New START, which, unlike a mere song, effectively and verifiably strengthens our national security?

Sen. Hatch, please lend your voice to the chorus of those calling for ratification of New START.

Katie Riggs Hansen

Salt Lake City