Political Quotes

“I oppose amendment 4002. Not only does it demand that the President do something that is not within his power, but it also encourages a course of action that would undermine United States interests with regard to Iraq. Some time ago, the U.N. Security Council passed resolution 986 to enable the sale of Iraqi oil and to use the proceeds for specific purposes--mostly to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq. Some of the funds would also be channeled to the U.N. Special Commission on Iraq--also known as UNSCOM--which is charged with monitoring and dismantling Iraq's special weapons programs, and to the Compensation Committee--which is settling international claims against Iraq. This resolution would urge that the President renegotiate the terms of the deal so that the proceeds would go to the United States Department of Defense in order to fund Operation Southern Watch--the no-fly zone in southern Iraq, and Operation Provide Comfort--the no-fly zone in Iraqi Kurdistan. The President does not have the power to renegotiate the deal.”