John Sarbanes: “Chairman D'Amato has quoted the Iran-Contra. I just want to turn to that for a moment, if the distinguished leader would…”

“Chairman D'Amato has quoted the Iran-Contra. I just want to turn to that for a moment, if the distinguished leader would indulge me. At that time Senator Dole--and the distinguished leader quoted one of his quotes--but Senator Dole also said, ``I am heartened by what I understand to be the strong commitment of both the chairman and the vice chairman to avoid fishing expeditions and to keep the committee focused on the real issues.'' He was working for a limited time period, originally just 3 months. In the end, a longer period was established. But it was pointed out at that time that it escaped no one's attention that an investigation that spilled into 1988 could only help keep Republicans on the defensive during the election year. Chairman Inouye, who chaired the Senate committee, and Chairman Hamilton, who chaired the House committee, recommended rejecting the opportunity to prolong and thereby exploit President Reagan's difficulties. In other words, they were not willing to turn it into a political gain, which is what is now happening here.”