Alcee Hastings: “last week I attended the Organization for Security and Cooperation meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, and there, to a…”

“last week I attended the Organization for Security and Cooperation meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, and there, to a person, including the Russians, we prepared the position of the organization for security and cooperation in Europe, outlining the exact same requirements as set forth by the NATO alliance. This bill, if it were to pass, sends an overwhelmingly negative message to our troops and to our allies. Regardless of how one feels about the need for the Congressional role in authorizing ground forces, this bill represents precisely the wrong way to seek such a role. By denying funding for the full range of actions we may need to take against Slobodan Milosevic, we are tying one hand behind the backs of our military. This bill would prohibit funding for ground elements unless Congress specifically authorizes a deployment. "Ground elements" is a pretty broad term. What happens if the President has to act quickly but the Congress is out of session? The legislation would require him to delay until he had specific Congressional authorization. That delay could cost lives. I do not think that it is responsible for us to go forward in this manner.”