Political Quotes

“I believe the Congress should--should--be confronted with a specific piece of legislation authorizing the use of force. I think it is constitutionally wise and politically necessary that be done. Mr. President, such a congressional vote will spark the very debate on this floor that I think is needed to further inform the American public about what is at stake. By the way, I called the White House after we had our meeting with the President and reiterated that I hoped he would send up a resolution. He did not. So I wrote one. I was prepared to attempt to amend Senator Hutchison's amendment. But, in the meantime, as is his prerogative, the majority leader came in and offered a second-degree amendment to Senator Hutchison's. So I now have no ability to amend her amendment. I am told that we are going to vote on cloture. If we get cloture-- and I hope we will get cloture--then there will be an up-or-down vote on the Lott-Smith amendment. That amendment says that the President can't take any action in Yugoslavia until funds are authorized.”