Jeff Bingaman: “Mr. President, I also oppose the Foreign Relations Revitalization Act of 1995. In my view, it is wrongheaded legislation…”

“Mr. President, I also oppose the Foreign Relations Revitalization Act of 1995. In my view, it is wrongheaded legislation and, if enacted, it will undermine our national interests. The legislation, in fact, does undermine the President's constitutional mandate to conduct the foreign affairs of the Nation. By passing a bill such as this, we would be trying to run America's foreign policy out of this Chamber rather than allowing the Executive to conduct the Nation's foreign policy. Among my concerns about this act is the forced consolidation of agencies. By passing the act, we would tell the President that he is required to eliminate at least one foreign affairs agency, either the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, the U.S. Information Agency, or the Agency for International Development. When the goal becomes putting the Government out of business and wrecking departments and agencies in some haphazard approach without carefully considering the consequences that a particular agency's termination might have, then something has gone very wrong. Furthermore, the authorization levels that are provided in the bill will force other organizations to retreat further from engagement in world affairs. America needs to pursue its interests vigorously in international affairs and to assure that the interests of American citizens are promoted.”