Nuclear pact sends ‘powerful signal’ to world: Obama

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday celebrated the Senate ratification of a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, saying it “sends a powerful signal to the world.”

“I’m glad the Democrats and Republicans came together to approve my top national security priority for this session of congress, the new START Treaty,” Obama told a White House press conference.

Lawmakers voted 71-26 in favor of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), easily clearing the two-thirds majority needed to approve the pact, which Obama had made a linchpin of efforts to “reset” relations with Moscow.

“This is the most significant arms control agreement in nearly two decades and it will make us safer and reduce our nuclear arsenals along with Russia,” Obama said.

“The strong bipartisan vote in the senate sends a powerful signal to the world that Republicans and Democrats stand together on behalf of our security.”