[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 185 (Sunday, November 19, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S17484-S17485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     UNITED STATES TROOPS IN BOSNIA

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I just wish to supplement my remarks by 
once again commending the Presiding Officer and, indeed, the 
distinguished majority leader for their leadership on this issue 
throughout. But I do recall so vividly at the time that President Bush 
was dispatching our troops into the gulf region he specifically came to 
Congress. I recall the debate, a very thorough and careful debate went 
on for 2 days in the Senate, and the final vote was but five votes 
apart; by a bare margin of five votes the Senate gave its approval, I 
would say--under the Constitution, of course, the President has the 
right, but the Senate gave its approval of the President exercising his 
constitutional right to use the troops that were then already deployed 
in the gulf region in a role which could involve the use of force of 
arms.
  That same type of resolution--very simple, very straightforward--
should be employed in this case if it is the desire of the President to 
go forward. I am hopeful, as the distinguished majority leader said, 
that there could be other options. People should recognize that the 
United States is heavily involved in the air missions.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER has given detailed accounts many times on the 
floor of the Senate of the involvement of the men and women of our air 
arm and the risks that they have taken. Likewise at sea, the United 
States is providing the principal naval units for the purpose of the 
enforcement of certain embargoes that are now in place. And likewise, 
we have on duty in the Adriatic often a carrier and often other ships 
supporting the helicopters that are needed for backup for rescue 
operations, should that be necessary. We saw that, of course, at the 
time the distinguished Air Force officer was shot down and then 
eventually rescued.
  So, Mr. President, the United States is very heavily engaged at this 
time. Also, the American taxpayers have footed a bill that exceeds $1 
billion, as we would want to do for humanitarian and medical and other 
types of humanitarian assistance to people of that war-torn region.
  So, I hope tonight we urge upon the President to reflect very 
carefully before he makes a final decision, and that he regards it 
essential to come to the Congress, as did President Bush. And, lastly, 
once again, I am hopeful that he will sign the Defense appropriations 

[[Page S 17485]]
bill. The distinguished Senator from Alaska, Mr. Stevens, and I did 
talk earlier today. He has been very active with the White House in 
giving the reasons, together with Senator Inouye of Hawaii, for the 
need for the signing of that bill.

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