Political Quotes

“I rise this evening to offer another amendment to the resolution of ratification. This amendment rises out of concerns over the Bilateral Consultative Commission known as the BCC. The BCC has been referred to numerous times in debate today. Article XII of the treaty establishes the BCC as a forum for the parties to resolve issues concerning implementation of the treaty. Part six of the protocol says the BCC has the authority to resolve questions relating to compliance, agree to additional measures to improve the viability and effectiveness of the treaty, and discuss other issues raised by either party. This clearly is very broad authority given to the BCC. In effect, the subject matter jurisdiction of the BCC seems limitless, based on the clear language of article XII. Former National Security Adviser under President George W. Bush, Stephen Hadley, appeared before the Foreign Relations Committee and expressed concerns over this treaty. He stated, with regard to the Bilateral Consultative Commission: The Bilateral Consultative Commission seems to have been given authority to adopt, without Senate review, measures to improve the viability and effectiveness of the treaty which could include restrictions on missile defense. It is that element of Senate review that this amendment would inject back into the process. Others have voiced concern that the mandate of the BCC is overly broad. This should trouble Senators.…”