On the recordJanuary 28, 1994
Before I begin, let me make it clear to the Chair and anybody else that might be listening, including the folks watching on television, that John Kerry and I are very, very good friends. We do not belong to the same party. We do not have exactly the same philosophy. But as far as I know, we have always agreed to disagree agreeably. I sat in the cloakroom and listened to a good part of his rebuttal to my comments about the pending amendment. Then I went down, and got a bowl of clam chowder. I recommend it, if you have not had lunch. It is not Boston clam chowder, but it is very good. But it sort of surprised me when the Senator from Massachusetts said that I was transparent, whatever that means, in offering this amendment. I guess what I am saying is we ought to have truth in advertising. But that is neither here nor there. I would say to my friend that if the administration is doing all of the fine things he said it is doing with reference to relations with China, then he ought to welcome this amendment and be just as enthusiastic for it now as he was when George Mitchell, the distinguished majority leader, offered his legislation back during the Bush administration. I do not see why it is a matter of such sensitivity for the administration to be differed with on this matter, because I differed with my administration. I did it publicly, and I did it on this floor, when George Bush was President. And I am still doing it. I would do it right now.
