Jeff Bingaman: “As the majority leader and the Democratic leader both know, I have been very concerned that we get some agreements or…”

“As the majority leader and the Democratic leader both know, I have been very concerned that we get some agreements or understanding about how the Chemical Weapons Convention is to be handled in April. We have a deadline coming at us. I think the convention, as I understand it, goes into effect on the 29th of April. We have to, if the United States is to participate, if the judgment of the Senate is we should participate in that, we would have to make that judgment several days before that. At least that is what I have been informed. I am just concerned that time is running out. We seem to be taking one legislative or executive matter up after another here without really having an understanding about how we are going to dispose of this Chemical Weapons Convention. I wondered if the majority leader could assure me about how this is going to be brought to the Senate and dealt with in the coming month?”