McCaul Statement on U.S. Withdrawal from INF Treaty

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee made the following statement in support of withdrawing from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty:

“Following the announcement in February that the U.S. would suspend and eventually withdraw from the INF Treaty, we gave the Russians six months to remedy their violations of the agreement. Unfortunately, Russia obviously did not show any interest in maintaining its compliance in INF. Nuclear arms control continues to be a necessary pursuit, and the United States should remain committed to treaties when our partners are in compliance. However, we must always take action when clear violations of these agreements occur and our partners refuse to comply.  

“I applaud today’s bold decision by the United States to formally withdraw from the INF Treaty. This decision is not only supported by NATO, but it emphasizes the need to continue to protect America’s national security interests from the threat of a resurgent Russia.

“Lastly, since the strategic environment has changed rapidly since the end of the Cold War, we need to find ways to use arms control to address the rise of China’s nuclear arsenal, the increase of Russia’s non-strategic weapons stockpiles, and the emergent of new technologies like hypersonic weapons.” 

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