Political Quotes

“the gentleman reminds us that a treaty is the supreme law of the land, and then says that the President cannot abrogate the law unilaterally without some legislative action. I suggest that the President has followed the law to the letter. The law is in the treaty. The treaty itself provides a mechanism for withdrawing from the treaty: ``Each party shall, in exercising its national sovereignty. . . . '' How do we exercise our national sovereignty? The gentleman would suggest a plebiscite throughout the country. The very words of the treaty, which are the supreme law of the land, have been observed by the President. So that argument is a nullity. Secondly, do all Members, and I am asking this rhetorically, do all Members concede the Taiwan defense treaty as still valid and that President Carter's termination of it was illegal, and of no force and effect? They have to hold that position if they hold the position they are arguing today. I submit this is not a privilege of the House.”