Washington (CNN) -- The Senate voted Wednesday to approve the new nuclear arms control treaty with Russia -- a major foreign policy victory for the Obama administration near the end of the lame-duck session of Congress. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START, was cleared by a 71-26 vote. Several Republicans joined a unified Democratic caucus in support of the accord. Under Senate rules, the treaty required support from a two-thirds majority of voting senators for final approval. "This is the most significant arms control agreement in nearly two decades," President Barack Obama said after the vote. It "will enhance our leadership to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and seek the peace of a world without them."NEW: Obama praises unity between parties in passing nuclear arms accordNEW: McCain decries "outdated linkage between nuclear arms and missile defense"The New START passes in a 71-26 vote as some Republicans back treatyTreaty will resume inspections, limit each nation to 1,550 warheads and 700 launchers
Bipartisan passage of the measure "sends a powerful signal to the world that _ and Democrats stand together on behalf of our security." _ himself, despite passage of the amendment he sponsored, ultimately voted against the accord, as well.