Political Quotes

“If I could, Madam President, go to another point; that is, the failure to discriminate among or between different kinds of sanctions. The amendment, as I read it, treats all sanctions alike. It does not differentiate between sanctions imposed for the transfer of nuclear technology, for example, or the exploding of nuclear devices in violation of treaties, and sanctions imposed for less dangerous activities, for example. In a sense, when one reads it, it appears to condone sanctions which have as their goal the promoting of trade but severely restricts sanctions for other purposes. I understand that the Senators from farm States have been very concerned about limitations on exports of agricultural products. As I say, I think we are all pleased to support the amendment which enables India and Pakistan to import American agricultural products. But I think we ought to examine this in a balanced way and understand that many of the sanctions are imposed for national security reasons. I think most of us understand that national security has to take a front seat to other considerations of a lesser degree of priority, if, in fact, it has gotten to the point that the country, either the President or the Congress, thinks it is in our national interest to impose sanctions.”