Political Quotes

“first, I want to join Senator Corker in thanking Senator Menendez for his leadership on this issue--I said that on previous occasions on the floor--clearly, his leadership, working with Senator Corker and working with Senator Kaine, who developed the bill for the appropriate review for Congress. I wish to thank Senator Menendez very much for all of his hard work on this bill. I want to identify myself with the comments of Senator Corker in opposition to the Johnson amendment. But let me give you one more reason. I respect the intent of those who support this amendment, but let me tell you what it means. It means that if this were, in fact, a treaty, we would be saying that we would be delegating to other entities the decision on whether to eliminate the sanction regime we in Congress imposed. I have listened to my colleagues, particularly on the Republican side, who say they do not want to delegate that authority, that Congress should keep its legislative authority. If you believe Congress should keep its legislative authority, that it is up to us to determine whether we are going to change or eliminate or modify the sanction regime, then you cannot be for a treaty because a treaty would give away that power. I do not think you really mean to do that, but that is the intent, if this were to be turned into a treaty, that we would be giving up our power. Secondly, I don't know how we are going to explain it to our colleagues in the House of Representatives.…”