Political Quotes

“The bill before us, the permanent normal trade relations with Russia, is important legislation to expand trading opportunities. I was thinking, as the Senator from South Dakota spoke about this debate on the floor and what it was like around this Chamber several decades ago when this issue was raised and there was a strong feeling for the Jackson-Vanik provisions which prohibited certain trade between the United States and so-called communist countries of their day, there were those voices on the other side, many from the Heartland such as Senator Thune and myself. Senator Humphrey used to say, sell anything that can't shoot back at us, and that meant a lot of wheat sometimes and other agricultural commodities. I will speak to that trade relation aspect in a second, but before I do, I want to address an aspect of this bill that is very important to me and should be to every Member of the Senate. I am honored to be the chair of the Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on the Constitution, Human Rights and Civil Rights. We have had a series of hearings on the issues of human rights and laws in the United States that affect them. I have also been honored to join with Senator Cardin of Maryland who chairs our Helsinki Commission Senate Delegation and has been on several trips overseas. He has made human rights a part of that commission and part of the United States. One of the aspects of this bill is so important.…”