Senator Kyl, Do Your Duty: Our Military Works Through the Holidays – So Should Our Senate

By Brett Hunt, posted upon request of the Truman National Security Project

Senator Kyl continues to delay the New START arms pact with Russia, even though it has the unanimous backing of the uniformed military leadership, every living Secretary of State, and even former President George H.W. Bush.  

Because of this delay, the treaty has not yet been considered, and may now be pushed closer to the Christmas holiday, or possibly the week between Christmas and New Year's. 

Senator Kyl doesn't like this, and has found a new reason to put off consideration of the treaty:  

"It is impossible to do all of the things that the majority leader laid out," Kyl said today, "frankly, without disrespecting the institution and without disrespecting one of the two holiest of holidays for Christians and the families of all of the Senate, not just the senators themselves but all of the staff." 

Senator: I know that you would rather be at home here in Arizona, spending time with your family and friends, rather than back in Washington DC the week between Christmas and New Year's.  And you may yet get that chance.  

I know what it is like to spend the holidays away from family and friends–far from the comforts of home.  I did it when I was deployed to Iraq as an Army Officer.  But I had a job to do, and I did it proudly, through many celebrations, religious and non-religious alike. 

This year a hundred and fifty thousand Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen will spend Christmas in the cold mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq.  They will wake up, ruck up, secure their weapons and move out because it is their duty.  

That's all we're asking you to do now, Mr. Kyl:  to do your duty.  

Take the time to consider a treaty that Admiral Mullen, General Cartwright, and the rest of the military leadership of this country is saying is vital to the security of our nation.  

Do your duty just as the men and women of our Armed Forces have done through holidays since December 25, 1776, when George Washington led his men across the Delaware and upon the unsuspecting Hessians at Trenton.  

Do your duty to protect our national security, just as our men and women in uniform do 365 days a year.

Brett Hunt is a former Army captain who lives in Phoenix.  He served in the initial invasion of Iraq and the subsequent stabilization operations, and is a graduate of the University of Colorado.