Editorial: High time for Law of the Sea

For far too long, the United States has failed to join the Law of the Sea Treaty, a United Nations agreement in effect around the world. It has broad support, from environmental groups to business organizations and the military. But opposition in the Senate, stemming from baseless fears about loss of sovereignty, has kept our nation from joining.

Meanwhile, the 160-plus nations that have joined, including Russia, can use it to stake claims to the oceans' vast mineral resources.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee opens a hearing on it Wednesday. Witnesses include Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It's time the Senate acted on a treaty that does not narrow our rights in the oceans, but expands them.