[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 87 (Friday, July 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     ANTI-BALLISTIC MISSILE TREATY

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I am very pleased that an agreement was 
reached on a modification to Senator Warner's amendment regarding the 
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. I appreciate his willingness to 
accommodate the concerns raised by members of the Foreign Relations 
Committee.
  The amendment, as modified, underscores the Senate's constitutionally 
mandated role in the treaty process. It reinforces my view, and I 
believe the view of many of my colleagues, that any substantive 
modification or reinterpretation of the ABM Treaty would require Senate 
approval. This is the appropriate position for the Senate to take.
  Mr. President, this is not a partisan issue. I raised the same 
concerns in January, when I wrote the President regarding proposals his 
administration was making with respect to the ABM Treaty as follows:

       The proposed changes raise issues regarding the 
     relationship between the Senate and the Executive Branch with 
     respect to treaty making and interpretation. In particular, 
     questions arise as to the proper role of the Senate in the 
     event that the United States and Russia were to agree to 
     change the Treaty and whether the proposed changes would 
     reverse an interpretive understanding reached between the 
     Senate and the Executive Branch when the Treaty was ratified.

  Mr. President, the issue at hand is the role of this institution in 
the treaty-making process. I urge my colleagues to support a strong and 
appropriate Senate role by supporting this amendment.

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