Lincoln Chafee: “I commend the Senators from North Carolina and Delaware for bringing this very important piece of legislation to the…”

“I commend the Senators from North Carolina and Delaware for bringing this very important piece of legislation to the Senate floor. It has been many years since Congress has passed and the President signed a State Department Authorization bill. U.S. interests will be very well served if we are able to accomplish this very difficult but important task. I would like to address a key provision within S. 903, that being the U.N. reform plan. I have long had a deep interest in the world body, and this legislation offers the Senate an opportunity to better understand the many complex issues surrounding U.S. membership in the United Nations. There have been a number of what I consider to be unfortunate misconceptions raised about the United Nations in recent years that, in the context of this legislation, ought to be addressed in a forthright manner. American taxpayers deserve to know what benefits does the United States derives from its participation in the United Nations? A misconception one hears repeatedly is that the United States pays billions of dollars in U.N. dues, but gets little or nothing to show for it in return. I think it is important to rebut this allegation in order to more effectively make a case for full payment of our arrearages.”