According to the Washingtonpost, 68 senators (dems and republicans) sent a letter to the Obama administration regarding landmines. Stating that they would support the ratification of the landmine treaty.
68 Senators send letter to Obama WH
More than two-thirds of the Senate is urging the Obama administration to consider signing an international treaty that bans land mines, reviving a dormant campaign from the 1990s that left the United States divided from its closest allies.
Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) said in an interview Friday that 68 senators had signed a letter to President Obama to support a "comprehensive review" of U.S. policy on land mines. The letter is an indication that there are enough votes in the Senate to ratify the treaty -- at least 67 would be required -- if Obama signs the measure, which has languished in Washington for a decade.
The hurdling block appears to be the Pentagon which is absolutely opposed to such a ratification. Particularly in regards to North Korea. The administration is trying to figure out a way to balance the two sides and manage to get ratification for the deal.
In November, Leahy criticized the Obama administration's initial decision to reject the treaty as "a default of U.S. leadership." Since then, he said, White House and State Department officials have left him with the impression that they are seriously considering adopting the treaty, especially if he can help deliver the votes in a Senate that is usually sharply divided along partisan lines.
"It's been a much more positive response than I've seen in a long, long time," Leahy said of his talks with administration officials.
Initially, the reaction was a no which was a pretty bad indicator of where things would be. In fact it was draconian. That said, the administration has been working with Leahy to try to figure a way to bring all sides on board. Looks like this may actually happen. Kudos to Leahy for being steadfast in his determination on this. It MAY pay off dividends.