Jim Inhofe: “There is some language that was put on this bill by the very distinguished Senator from Vermont. I will read that…”

“There is some language that was put on this bill by the very distinguished Senator from Vermont. I will read that language to you. The language states: Statement of Policy. It is the policy of the United States Government to sign the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction as soon as practicable. My amendment merely agrees to that language but adds, provided 'the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the unified combatant commanders certify in writing to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Security of the House of Representatives that' such a step 'is consistent with the combat requirements and safety of the armed forces of the United States.' So essentially what we are doing is saying that we agree that the language is--even though I would prefer the language not be in there, the language remain in there, but it be qualified. I am always a little bit confused and disturbed when I see the qualifier 'as practicable.' I don't know what 'as practicable' means, and so I think this actually would improve the language that was put in by the Senator from Vermont giving some qualifications.”