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Several of Boxer's colleagues echoed her calls for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearings on CEDAW. Senator John F. Kerry (D-MA) called CEDAW "an important human rights document that is largely consistent with the existing state and federal laws of the United States." The "failure to ratify [CEDAW]," according to Kerry, "has encouraged criticism from allies who cannot understand our refusal to uphold rights that are already found within the provisions of our own Constitution." Following Kerry, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said that, "of the world's democracies, only the United States has yet to ratify this fundamental document." And in so doing, "we risk losing our moral right to lead on human rights." Yet, "by ratifying CEDAW, we reestablish our credentials as a leader on human rights and women's rights."Also urging action on CEDAW were Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Russell D. Feingold (D-WI) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). Senator Murray proclaimed, "it is time that we as a Senate hear what is involved and have a chance to get testimony…It would be a great step forward." Senator Feingold urged the Senate to "fulfill its constitutional responsibility to offer its advice and consent on this treaty." And Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) pointed out that the United States "took an active role in drafting the treaty," and therefore, "it is past time for the United States to ratify it as well."