Ronald Dellums: “First, as I understand the Hamilton amendment, it calls upon the President to work multilaterally to find a peacefully…”

“First, as I understand the Hamilton amendment, it calls upon the President to work multilaterally to find a peacefully negotiated solution. I read this amendment, as provided in section 1, that the clear policy of the U.S. Government is to seek a peaceful negotiated settlement. This is why I can support the amendment, especially in light of the colloquy I have just had with my distinguished colleague. In the current environment, where a cease-fire negotiation has progressed to achieve a 1-month cease-fire with the possibility of even a further extension of cease-fire, this would reiterate our commitment to seeking such solutions which are the only effective way, as I perceive it, to halt the bloodshed and to end the conflict. It takes steps in a multilateral concept that would meet our overall current policy and national security commitments. It preserves flexibility during a period of negotiation, it protects recent goals, and finally it requires congressional consultation in this matter. In the closing remarks, I would like to divert from just a specific consideration of the Hamilton amendment and say to all of my colleagues here that you delude yourselves when you believe that there is some midcourse that does not require a major commitment.”