Jon Kyl: “I am astonished that the Senator from Montana and others in his position have so little confidence in the underlying…”

“I am astonished that the Senator from Montana and others in his position have so little confidence in the underlying provision here that their view is that any amendment--the words of the Senator from Montana, ``any amendment''--would have to be opposed because it would jeopardize the passage of PNTR for China. I find that to be astounding. This passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming vote, by over 40 votes. It is supported very strongly by the Clinton-Gore administration. It is supported by the leadership, the minority and majority in both Houses. I am certain it will pass the Senate when it comes to a vote. Given that, it seems to me quite strange, indeed, that any amendment that the Senate puts on this legislation will doom it to failure. Even amendments that arise from circumstances which occur after the House acted, I ask? For example, the representatives of the People's Republic of China, in their twice weekly briefings, have recently begun to insist on a condition to China's support for Taiwan's entry into the WTO.”