[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE OF S. 2042
Mr. PELL. Mr. President, today the Senate adopted two amendments to
the bill concerning the arms embargo that render the underlying
legislation confusing and contradictory. I refer to the Senate votes on
the Mitchell amendment and the Dole amendment regarding the lifting of
the arms embargo on Bosnia. One amendment directs the President to lift
the arms embargo unilaterally. The other amendment instructs the
President to take a multilateral approach.
Earlier this week, the Senate agreed by unanimous consent to consider
both amendments, with the presumption that one would be adopted and the
other rejected. I, for one, voted for Senator Mitchell's amendment and
opposed Senator Dole's amendment. However, other Members opposed both
amendments and some others supported both amendments, and the resulting
legislation directs the President to pursue two different courses of
action.
I am extremely troubled by the result, not only by the inclusion of
the Dole language that instructs the President to lift the embargo
unilaterally, but also by the embarrassing situation in which the
Senate finds itself in crafting legislation that sends a mixed message.
There will be no rollcall vote on the underlying legislation. Had
there been such a vote, however, I would have cast my vote against the
bill.
I yield the floor.
Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DOLE. I ask if I may proceed as if in morning business for 3
minutes.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(The remarks of Mr. Dole pertaining to the introduction of S. 2113
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills
and Joint Resolutions.'')
Mr. ROBB addressed the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.
Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be permitted
to address the Senate for up to 5 minutes as if in morning business,
and that my remarks be placed at the appropriate point in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Chair hears none, and
it is so ordered.
Mr. ROBB. I thank the Chair.
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