We are working with Senate leaders to encourage a favorable vote before then so that America may take its rightful place as an original party to this historic treaty.
Chemical weapons are inhumane.
That is why we decided long ago to eliminate our stockpiles of these weapons. The CWC sets the standard that it is wrong for any nation to build or possess a chemical weapon, and gives us strong and effective tools for enforcing that standard. This will make it harder for terrorists or outlaw states to build, buy or conceal these horrible weapons. Not everyone agrees. There are critics of the treaty who say it is flawed, because we cannot assume early ratification and full compliance by the outlaw states.