Obama says allies calling for US to OK arms pact

LISBON, Portugal – President Barack Obama says it's time for the U.S. Senate to ratify a new nuclear arms treaty with Russia — and there's no good reason for Republicans to delay it.

The president says that U.S. allies in Europe want the pact approved — for their protection, not just America's protection.

Obama, who's attending a NATO summit in Portugal, says there's no verification system in place now regarding Russian nuclear arsenals.

He says that would change if the treaty were ratified.