How do Democrats and Republicans stand on arms control?
Recent votes on arms control treaties reflect significant differences between the two parties. Democrats have unanimously support all recent international efforts at arms control whereas Republicans are responsible for the defeat of the test ban treaty. The 2008 Republican Party platform urges international cooperation in reducing nuclear stockpiles but supports the concept of a capable missile defense system. The 2008 Democratic platform advocates deep, verifiable reductions in United States and Russian nuclear weapons as well as efforts with other nuclear powers to reduce global stockpiles dramatically. The platform supports ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which will strengthen the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and aid international monitoring of nuclear activities.
