Dick Lugar: “I oppose the Reid amendment. I ask Members to vote no. I do so mindful of the fact that Mexico is our friend and that we…”

“I oppose the Reid amendment. I ask Members to vote no. I do so mindful of the fact that Mexico is our friend and that we are going to have $67.5 million of foreign assistance in the budget as we now have it that may be of assistance to our friends. The ideas presented by the distinguished Senator from Nevada are good ones, but they are ones that I believe require further discussion either in committee or on the floor. Clearly, $100 million, which is the request for authorization in his amendment, is well outside the budget we have adopted. That $100 million must be subtracted from some other part of State Department foreign assistance at some other point. The Senator has made the point the appropriators might very well do that. Indeed, they might. But I believe it is irresponsible to push that responsibility onward knowing the $100 million is not there, is not a part of the parameters of our foreign assistance. Therefore, I ask Senators to oppose the Reid amendment.”