Political Quotes

“I voted in favor of final passage of the bill because it would meet U.S. foreign relations and national security goals, while cutting spending in those areas that do not directly support the U.S. national security strategy. Many of the amendments offered to the bill concerned the question of responsibility the United States has in economically or militarily supporting other countries. I ran for this body on a platform fiscal conservatism and directing our foreign assistance programs towards those areas in which the United States has a direct political, economic, or national security interest. Although many arguments were raised as to what effect U.S. aid would or would not have in the recipient country, my votes on the amendments turned more on the question of whether the national security of the United States was directly improved by the provision or withholding of this assistance. These principles led me to oppose the D'Amato amendment to cut Economic Support Fund assistance to Turkey, but support the Dole amendment on the transhipment of United States humanitarian aid.”