Political Quotes

“I have been deeply impressed over the years by the strong and unwavering commitment to arms control shown by the senior Senator from Oregon, Mr. Hatfield. The Senator, who I am pleased to call a friend, has numerous accomplishments in the field of arms control to which he can point with pride. As only one example, the current multinational moratorium on nuclear testing is essentially the result of an initiative he took several years ago as ranking member of the Committee on Appropriations. As many of my fellow Members are aware, a major effort is under way at the Conference on Disarmament to bring to a successful close negotiations on a comprehensive test ban to follow the international moratorium brought about largely through the efforts of the Senator and others of like mind. I am pleased, too, that the Senator from North Dakota, Mr. Dorgan, has taken such a strong interest in this amendment, and I note with pleasure that we are joined by a number of cosponsors in support of the Arms Transfers Eligibility Act of 1996. The purpose of the amendment is to provide congressional review of the eligibility of foreign governments to be considered for United States military assistance and arms transfers and to establish clear standards for arms cooperation. In effect, the major change proposed in the legislation is to emphasize a requirement for congressional involvement and approval that does not now exist.”