Serious Blow to the UN Small Arms Treaty

[n2sooners]

On Wednesday Senator Mike Lee became the 34th co-sponsor of S. Con. Res 7, a resolution expressing opposition to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The treaty contains several troubling provisions that could prevent the United States from coming to the aid of its closest allies, as well as limit the constitutional rights of Americans. Senator Lee was the 34th co-sponsor of the resolution introduced by Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, which gives the opposition more than enough votes in the Senate to block ratification of the treaty.

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The story calls it a nail in the coffin, but you know how arm twisting can occur and votes can change. Still, it needs 67 votes to be confirmed and it couldn't even get 50 on another vote.

Here are the co-sponsors

Joining Lee (R-UT) in co-sponsorship of the resolution are: Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), John Barrasso (R-WY), Max Baucus (D-MT), John Boozman (R-AR), Richard Burr (R-NC), Tom Coburn (R-OK), Thad Cochran (R-MS), John Cornyn (R-TX), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Dean Heller (R-NV), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Inhofe (R-OK), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Rand Paul (R-KY), Rob Portman (R-OH), Jim Risch (R-ID), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), John Thune (R-SD), Pat Toomey (R-PA), David Vitter (R-LA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

 

[n8thegr8]

The only problem I see is that senate doesn't have to take it up for consideration immediately. My understanding is that it could lay dormant in committee for years until a favorable senate exists before being introduced for resolution

 

[reddog1]

Lame duck

 

[n2sooners]

The only problem I see is that senate doesn't have to take it up for consideration immediately. My understanding is that it could lay dormant in committee for years until a favorable senate exists before being introduced for resolution

That might be a long wait. Even in this gun grabbing atmosphere, the Inhofe amendment to block us from entering into the treaty passed by a vote of 53-46. That's about 20 votes they would need to change in order to ratify it. It's always good to be cautious though. This administration hasn't shown any love for the restrictions placed on it by the constitution and may just go ahead and enforce the treaty anyway.

 

[n8thegr8]

Yeah, there's not much we can do here in the next election cycle about trying to take Congress back, so I guess I'll just have to vote with my pocket book and contribute to the NRA-PVF.

 

[KOPBET]

Obama doesn't need a treaty. He can use Sole Executive Agreements in place of a treaty to achieve nearly the same effect in international law without the consent of the Senate.

For those of you that didn't go to civics class, the POTUS ratifies treaties not the Senate.

 

[n8thegr8]

Obama doesn't need a treaty. He can use Sole Executive Agreements in place of a treaty to achieve nearly the same effect in international law without the consent of the Senate.

For those of you that didn't go to civics class, the POTUS ratifies treaties not the Senate.

The constitution states that the president "shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur"

It requires senate approval before ratification.

 

[KOPBET]

The constitution states that the president "shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur"

It requires senate approval before ratification.

That's what I just said.

Senate consent. POTUS ratifies.

http://www.asil.org/insigh10.cfm

 

[jakerz]

That's what I just said.

Senate consent. POTUS ratifies.

http://www.asil.org/insigh10.cfm

So, without the 2/3 consent, it's a no-go. Right? At least that's the way I've understood it since grade school.

 

[KOPBET]

So, without the 2/3 consent, it's a no-go. Right? At least that's the way I've understood it since grade school.

Yep, that's what consent means. You can now graduate!!

And the point is?

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Treaties.htm