Orrin Hatch: “during the debate on ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, I said that I expected that both the President and…”

“during the debate on ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, I said that I expected that both the President and the Congress must be wholly dedicated to implement this treaty in a way that advances U.S. national security interests and that protects the constitutional rights of American citizens. Today, we will consider a bill to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention. In my view, this bill accomplishes both of those objectives. The bill before us today is the product of negotiation with the administration and with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Although this bill differs, in several respects, from the version of S. 610 that was introduced in the Congress, I believe that we have achieved a bill that comprehensively implements the treaty, while also protecting the constitutional rights of Americans. Let me explain briefly why that is true: First, our bill provides for civil liability of the United States for the loss of property resulting from inspection procedures under the treaty. Second, the Chemical Weapons Convention authorizes a team of international officials to inspect the facilities of private American businesses. Our bill protects the constitutional rights of American citizens through the warrant requirement that must be satisfied for all inspections. Third, the bill protects confidential business information that, according to the treaty, must be reported to the U.S. National Authority.”