Kyl: Tax Deal Needed for START to Pass

The Bush-era tax cuts and the START nuclear weapons treaty with Russia represent two of the biggest issues facing the lame-duck Congress. And unless President Barack Obama agrees to a deal with House Republicans on extension of the tax cuts by next week, the Senate won’t pass the START treaty this year, says Sen. Jon Kyl, The Hill reports.

He has served as the Republican point man in negotiations with Democrats over START. “The deal on taxes has to be done very early next week, like Monday,” Kyl says. If not, “then you’re not going to have time to do START.” The treaty needs approval from 67 senators to pass.

It appears likely that a Democratic agreement to temporarily extend the tax cuts will make enough Republicans support START to ensure its approval.