Political Quotes

“One of the criticisms of the NGOs about this bill is precisely what we are trying to cure. This amendment in no way allows anybody to pick and choose anything. As a matter of fact, the flexibility that is codified in this kind of amendment speaks to the responsibility of the President in negotiating the agreement, not to countries to pick and choose. And this bill in no way allows that to happen. The intent that the gentleman described is the intent that I have captured in language to satisfy the criticisms and the objections of some who do not wish to vote for this bill because they do not understand that implicit in the bill is that kind of flexibility. I would suggest to the gentleman that we are basically saying the same thing, and that if we are interested in not only helping to communicate this to those who have some concerns but ensuring that we do not have the kind of legislation that would be misread or be misimplemented in ways that will take all of the requirements and strictly review them and strictly hold them to a certain kind of standard, then I think there is no need to oppose this simple amendment. As a matter of fact, I really do believe that the gentleman would gain friends and votes by simply codifying the intent that the gentleman described.”