Political Quotes

“Yesterday the Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of John Negroponte to be the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations. I was unable to attend yesterday's hearing because I was with my wife Jackie attending the birth of our daughter Grace. I believe that it was very important yesterday that the Committee hearing focused in part on a careful review of new information that has come to light related to Ambassador Negroponte's tenure in Honduras during 1981-85 to see whether Congress had been kept fully informed about all aspects of U.S. policy with respect to Honduras during his watch. I recognize, that this is not a normal week for the Senate or for the American people. President Bush has indicated that he wants the United States to be represented by an Ambassador at the United Nations as quickly as possible, particularly in light of this week's tragic events. I don't disagree with that view. However, the Foreign Relations Committee did have a responsibility to review the questions raised in connection with this nomination. They discharged that responsibility yesterday. The Committee has proceeded expeditiously, professionally and fairly with Ambassador Negroponte's nomination. It requested and received documents from the State Department and CIA. Those documents were reviewed, consisting of several thousand pages, the committee proceeded with the hearing yesterday and today the Senate is ready to act.”