On the recordDecember 4, 2012
No, let me make clear to the Senator, I have not said it does nothing. I have said it does not require a change in American law. I have said that it does not obligate the United States to a new set of standards or anything different from what we do today. I have said it does not allow anybody access to the Federal courts. That is different from saying it doesn't do anything. If it didn't do anything, I would not be here either. Nor would George Bush have signed this. Nor would George Herbert Walker Bush have begun the negotiations. This is not a Democrat-inspired treaty. This is a universally accepted set of principles about how we would like to see people in the rest of the world treat people with disabilities. There is more to be said about that, and there is more to be said. I want my colleagues to speak about why we are here. Let me recognize, if I can, the Senator from Arizona?--no, I will hold off on that, if I may. Let me recognize the Senator from New Mexico for 5 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Manchin). The Senator from New Mexico is recognized. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico.
