Political Quotes

“first, I express regret the Senate is being asked to take up this legislation at this time. As pointed out earlier, the Export Administration Act, which this bill reauthorizes, with changes, has not been reauthorized for over a decade. It is not as if there is an emergency to do it this week. We have lived without a reauthorized bill for over 10 years. What we have done is reauthorized it on a year-to-year basis from time to time--most recently, last year. I believe it is in October that reauthorization runs out, so we have to take some action before that time. I believe we should. I believe the Senate should act on this legislation before that time. I suspect there will be some amendments offered. I suspect there will be a healthy debate. But at the end of the day, in one form or another, the bill will pass and the Export Administration Act will be reauthorized as significantly modified. President Bush, when campaigning, campaigned on that promise, and he has made good on that promise by supporting this legislation. I appreciate that effort on his behalf. But I think it would be wrong to suggest that it was the administration that requested the bill be considered at this time. The administration was asked by a group of Senators who have expertise in national security matters to evaluate the bill that is before us.”