Political Quotes

“Mr. President, yesterday I included some extensive remarks in the Record regarding the overall treaty. I let those remarks speak for themselves today. First, I begin by commending our colleagues, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Helms; the ranking Democrat on the committee, Senator Biden; the majority leader, Senator Lott; and the minority leader, Senator Daschle, for working out the arrangements of this treaty so we can come up for a vote prior to the April 29 deadline. Let me also say, Mr. President, while there are disagreements--and there will be over the ultimate decision of whether or not to support the treaty--I think the debate and the process we have gone through has been healthy. I suspect those who are deeply involved in the workings of this treaty have improved it. So I commend all of our colleagues for the work they have done on this particular effort. I think it is how the Senate of the United States ought to conduct its business when it comes to matters dealing with obligations to commit our country for many years to come. It was no mistake that our Founding Fathers required supermajorities to commit this Nation to international arrangements, and the fact that we require supermajorities for treaties, I think, is worthwhile.”