Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As the lead Democrat on H.R. 4723, I rise in strong support of this bill. The United States, working alongside Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia, crafted a tenuous diplomatic settlement to end the fighting and keep the peace in Balkans in the wake of the devastating wars of the 1990s. The resulting framework has been frustratingly imperfect, but it has provided a path forward for Bosnia and, indeed, for the entire region. This legislation calls attention to the difficulties facing Bosnia as it seeks to join the EU. It calls for critically needed reforms to ensure that all Bosnians can have a voice in their government, and it addresses the forces that threaten the region's fragile peace. Neither progress nor peace in the region are inevitable. These trends require an enduring commitment to fostering them. The bill reaffirms that U.S. commitment, along with our partners in Europe, to actively maintain peace. The sanctions imposed under this bill provide a necessary disincentive to ensure that the Dayton Agreements hold strong and do not unravel under political pressure. The sanctions section include waiver language and appropriate exceptions for intelligence activities, humanitarian aid, and to comply with our international agreements. Despite clear challenges, Bosnia has made strides on meeting the EU membership criteria for integration.…”