4 March 2016, 22:06 GMT
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "A top arms control priority is launching multilateral negotiations on a treaty ending production of fissile material for weapons," Scheinman told the 2016 Deterrence and Assurance Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on Friday in a speech released by the US Department of State.
Scheinman said such a treaty would finally end the build-up of nuclear weapons stockpiles around the world, and halt the continuing nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan.
"This treaty would halt the arms race underway in South Asia and help set the foundation for deeper reductions of nuclear weapons down the road," he noted.
President Barack Obama faces hostile Republican majorities controlling both the chambers of the US Congress who oppose ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty he is seeking.
