Chuck Grassley: “I agree that some form of strengthening of the certification process is needed. Indeed, I offered my 'Three Strikes and…”

“I agree that some form of strengthening of the certification process is needed. Indeed, I offered my 'Three Strikes and you're out' bill last year with the idea of making the certification process tougher. I also suggested some fixes this last February in the debate over Mexico. But I also think that it is important to take a hard look at what the certification process is before we tinker with it. The recent discussion of the certification process is born out of frustration over the decision on Mexico. I share some of these concerns and the frustration. But the present effort is little more than an attempt to water down congressional oversight of US narcotics policy. It does so in the name of flexibility. It does so so that we won't be too hard on our international partners. I believe this approach is wrong. And I will vigorously oppose efforts to short change the public's interest in upholding tough standards for certification.”