Political Quotes

“we have all heard about how difficult it is for Congress to get clear answers from the administration on the current situation or exit strategy in Bosnia. Congress needs to regain control of this situation. The compromise substitute amendment I am offering, the Hilleary-Condit-Kasich-Jones-Frank amendment, would accomplish three major objectives: It commits the United States to leave Bosnia by December 31, 1997, unless the President requests and Congress approves a 180-day extension. Should that happen, and I find it likely that it would, frankly, the date for the final withdrawal of all U.S. Armed Forces would be June 30, 1998. It also prohibits DOD spending for law enforcement and related activities by U.S. troops. This averts the mission creep that caused heavy casualties against United States soldiers in Somalia. It also prepares the Europeans to assume the mission. Rather than accept the self-fulfilling prophecy that the Europeans cannot do the mission, the legislation will require the executive branch to report on steps being taken to restore the Europeans to their appropriate role, deficiencies in our allies' capabilities and steps being taken to remedy those deficiencies. It is way past time, Mr. Chairman, for Congress to get a handle on this spending and to protect the men and women in the military who signed up to defend our national security, not police the world. Let us bring our troops home from Bosnia.”