Tom Harkin: “I would like to speak just for a few minutes about the issue of the NATO expansion that has come to the floor today. I…”

“I would like to speak just for a few minutes about the issue of the NATO expansion that has come to the floor today. I am hopeful at the outset that even though the bill has been laid down, the Senate will be given time for due discussion and debate on the proposed NATO expansion. Quite frankly, I was one of those who signed a letter with my colleague Senator Smith from New Hampshire and, if I am not mistaken, 17 other Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, asking that the debate on the proposed NATO expansion be suspended or postponed for a while. I think it should have been postponed for very good and sufficient reasons. This is an issue with profound implications for our Nation and the international community. It is also an issue that, I am disappointed to say, has not received the kind of vigorous national debate that it deserves. I said basically it is a big yawn.”