Political Quotes

“I was asked by a reporter my view of the distinguished majority leader's role in this very important debate, and I replied, without hesitation, that the tougher the issue, the closer the division within the ranks of the Senate and most particularly within our party, the tougher the leadership challenge. I am proud to join others in saying our leader has met that challenge. Likewise, my distinguished colleague and friend from day one in the Senate, the senior Senator from North Carolina, together with Senators Kyl and Smith and Inhofe, have met the challenge. They have ensured that the Senate has conducted a full and thorough debate on this treaty, and they have been instrumental in achieving the 28 conditions which have been adopted by the Senate. Those conditions have improved the document which the President submitted to the Senate in 1993. There is a clear division within the ranks of Republicans on this issue, and it has been a conscientious and thoughtful process by which each has reached his or her position. Now, Mr. President, to go to the subject itself. I will not go into the details of this treaty. I would like to speak to the broader issue. I first learned of chemical weapons at the knee of my father who was a surgeon in the trenches in World War I. He described to me in vivid detail how he cared for the helpless victims of that weapon.”