Angie Craig: “I must say, in all respect to him, I have always appreciated the Senator's legal mind and the way he works through very…”

“I must say, in all respect to him, I have always appreciated the Senator's legal mind and the way he works through very difficult processes, and it does not differ here. He and I are extremely concerned about the very broad authority that appears to be given to a new court if it becomes ratified. That is why early this week I moved to deny our participation in it. It is arguable, by those to whom I have listened, that even a preparatory commission's involvement is not going to allow us to change the jurisdiction as prescribed by the Rome treaty. The Senator has every right to be concerned about this broadened authority and efforts internationally to go after some of our officials for their responsible actions based on our public policy. The issue is that 30-some-odd nations have already ratified it. It takes 60 with or without our approval. It could become an operative court. It has an independent prosecutor who legitimately, by its actions, could go after anyone 18 years of age or older anywhere in the world. In other words, our sovereignty, our ability to protect our citizens, might only rest within our borders.”