Political Quotes

“this is a vote of 410-1, which noted the human rights violations Vietnam has committed. I ask my colleagues for the Record why we cannot have a similar vote in the Senate. If those who want to normalize relations with Vietnam choose to ignore the numerous human rights violations of that country, is that right? Where we had something that passed the House 410-1 and was sent over here, why can't we have a vote on that either before or after the vote on normalization of trade relations? I will tell you why. Because one Senator objects. I want to point out to the majority side that at the appropriate time when someone from the majority is here on the floor, I am going to ask unanimous consent that we move to that legislation. I believe that is the appropriate thing to do. Let me proceed by saying I don't think it is a secret that I have been a long-time critic of the regime in Hanoi. I have visited there four or five times, if not more, as a Senator and as a Congressman. I think I know pretty well the situation there. A lot of the criticism that I brought up has focused pretty much on the POW-MIA issue in the sense that in spite of all the statements to the contrary by many, they have not provided full disclosure on our missing.”