Political Quotes

“Reserving the right to object to Senator Paul's request to discharge S. 2265 in the committee, this legislation Senator Paul has been referring to has not been considered by the committee. It was just introduced in the last day or so, I think. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and on behalf of the Republican ranking member, Senator Corker, who had to depart to return to Tennessee but otherwise would have joined me in making remarks, I come to the floor to express our opposition to an effort to circumvent the normal legislative process and deprive the members of our committee of the opportunity to decide whether to take up this legislation. The authorization to provide or cut U.S. assistance to the Palestinian Authority is clearly within the purview of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and it should have its members decide if it is appropriate, and it should be fully and openly considered by the committee. This bill is a blunt-force instrument that would risk the collapse of the Palestinian economy in the West Bank. That is not in Israel's interests and it is not in our interests either. The bill would shift the burden of dealing with a failed state on its borders to Israel. That is certainly not my goal, and I hope it is not the goal of Senator Paul either. Our goal should be to get back to a process and a negotiation toward a two-state solution that will allow Israel to live in peace and security. We need to allow the parties--and particularly Mr.…”