The Influence of Congress in the Formulation of Disarmament Policy

In Congress and throughout the country, we have failed to readjust our thinking about disarmament to accom modate the fact of international life that two great powers have the present capability of destroying civilization. Congres sional influence over disarmament policy, for good or bad, has and will be great. The influence of the Senate is important because of its veto power over treaties. The House of Rep resentatives must appropriate funds to make a treaty effective. Common sense and history strongly indicate that Senate mem bers should at least be named as advisers to the delegation at Geneva. Owing in part to staffing deficiencies and in part to lack of funds, congressional knowledge of the United States position on disarmament is poor. Few in Congress know or care about weaknesses in the United States position at Geneva which it would be within the power of Congress to improve. The Disarmament Agency is short staffed, due to appropria tion cuts as well as to statutory security requirements. Advice and consent is needed, if only to help the agency avoid political pitfalls in its relations with Congress. Constructive, intel ligent criticism by Congress, on and off the record, can and must be increased. The incentive for Congress to be construc tive rather than destructive must come from the grass roots of public opinion.—Ed.