Political Quotes

“this amendment, by myself, is cosponsored by Senators Exon, Kempthorne, Thurmond, Craig, Cohen, Snowe, Smith, and Gregg. It expresses a sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy and the Governor of Idaho should continue good-faith negotiations to reach an agreement on shipments of nuclear fuel from naval reactors and requires a written report on the status or outcome of the negotiations. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to require all parties to continue good-faith negotiations to reach an agreement to permit the resumption of shipments of spent nuclear fuel from naval reactors to the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. I have joined with several other Senators to reach an agreement which we hope will encourage the parties on both sides who are negotiating this issue to resolve it as soon as possible, because of the serious implications to our national security. In order to support the national security requirements of the United States, the Navy must be able to refuel and defuel nuclear powered warships. Because of an ongoing dispute between Idaho and the Department of Energy, shipments of spent nuclear fuel to the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory have been halted. This situation has rapidly reached a crisis level and must be resolved expeditiously. My amendment urges all parties to negotiate, in good faith, an agreement that would protect this vital component of our national security.”