Overcoming it's final hurdle, the START treaty was discussed before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill.

Top White House officials, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and the Chairman of the Joint chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen called on lawmakers to support the nuclear pact. 

"This treaty reflects our growing cooperation with Russia on matters of mutual interest and will aid us in advancing our broader nonproliferation agenda," said Clinton in her defense of the deal.

"This treaty reduces the strategic nuclear forces of our two nations in a manner that strengthens the strategic stability of our relationship and protects the security of the American people and our allies," said Gates told the committee in his opening statement.

It's all part of US President Barack Obama's overall goal of a nuclear free world. However, before the policies and appropriations are implemented, the treaty has to be approved by Congress. Republicans, cautions of what they presume will limit the country's missile defense capabilities, complained the treaty did not address their concerns.