Political Quotes

“this amendment is, with two exceptions, identical to S. 1803, the Peace Powers Act, which I introduced last week together with 12 cosponsors. Three more Senators have now added their name as cosponsors of this amendment. The legislation has also been introduced in the House by Congressman Hyde. Some may ask why the attention of the Congress has turned to U.N. peacekeeping. The fact of the matter is that the United Nations is now engaged in peacekeeping operations in more than 20 countries with some 80,000 personnel. The U.S. taxpayers will be asked to pay $1 billion more this year for peacekeeping, than the $401 million already appropriated by Congress for that purpose. But, we are not just talking about financial obligations. U.S. military personnel are increasingly involved in U.N. operations. Let us not forget that 29 Americans lost their lives, and 170 more were wounded, to carry out a U.N. mission in Somalia that began as feeding hungry Somalis and evolved into law enforcement and Nation-Building. Mr. President, substantial financial and military assistance is being provided to the United Nations, and, in ever more creative ways--to avoid congressional oversight and to circumvent legislative restrictions.”