[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 135 (Friday, August 11, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S12522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BLOCKING OF WTO

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, while we are waiting, I would just say I 
regret the Senator from West Virginia, Senator Byrd, without any 
notification to me, has chosen to block the WTO legislation, on which I 
have worked with the administration, which I was promised by the 
administration if I would support GATT. It was part of the agreement in 
an effort to gain my support. I kept my word and did, for the President 
of the United States and, more importantly, for the country.
  I was advised, after being told today by the chairman of the Finance 
Committee that the WTO legislation had been cleared, late this 
afternoon the Senator from West Virginia, Senator Byrd, as he has a 
right to do, would not permit it to go forward. At that point, the 
leader had either the choice to block all the nominees or to do what I 
have just done.
 It is unfair to the families to have another 3 or 4 weeks' wait 
because of an unexpected hold put on legislation, which had been 
cleared by the committee of jurisdiction, cleared by the minority 
leader, cleared by the administration, and blocked by someone who I 
have tried to accommodate at every turn in this Chamber, the Senator 
from West Virginia, Senator Byrd. That certainly is not right.

  I must say, this legislation was very important to me and will remain 
very important to me. I am disappointed that he chose not to even 
contact me before taking this action. Now the Senator from North 
Carolina is here so we can do some treaties.

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