[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       DISAPPROVAL OF DETERMINATION OF PRESIDENT REGARDING MEXICO

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                               speech of

                           HON. EARL POMEROY

                            of north dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 1997

  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution 
to overturn the President's decision to certify Mexico as a country 
that is fully cooperating in the fight against drug smuggling.
  This resolution was reported out of the International Relations 
Committee on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote. The committee 
resolution would decertify Mexico as a fully cooperative partner in the 
war on drugs. The resolution would send a clear signal to Mexico that 
their drug fighting efforts are inadequate, and that they must improve 
their interdiction, prosecution and anti-corruption activities to be 
considered a fully cooperating ally in the drug war.
  Unfortunately, rather than allowing the House to vote on the 
bipartisan committee resolution, the majority leadership has crafted a 
substitute proposal that, if adopted, will preclude consideration of 
the committee resolution. Regrettably, the leadership amendment, 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Hastert, undermines the 
bipartisan committee product by injecting purely partisan language into 
the text of the resolution. Rather than focusing on the question of 
certification, the Hastert amendment seeks to gain partisan advantage 
by taking rhetorical pot-shots at what it views as the administration's 
shortcomings in its conduct of the war on drugs.
  As a result, the leadership has managed to take an issue where there 
is widespread bipartisan agreement--that Mexico is not a fully 
cooperating partner in the war on drugs--and make it partisan. I 
support the committee resolution, but I will oppose the leadership 
amendment. I remain hopeful that the Senate will craft a bipartisan 
measure that I will be able to support when this issue is resolved in 
conference.
  I urge my colleague to oppose the Hastert amendment and support House 
Resolution 58.

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