[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3315-S3316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        LEADING THE WAY AGAINST CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, today the Senate will vote on the Chemical 
and Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act which will, for the first 
time in U.S. history, provide criminal and civil penalties against 
those who produce, stockpile, or transfer chemical weapons in the 
United States. It will also legislate other practical and realistic 
reforms to reduce the spread of both chemical and biological weapons 
and improve the American military's defenses against them.

[[Page S3316]]

  The impetus for this legislation was the realization that the 
Chemical Weapons Convention being promoted by the administration, 
though noble in aim, would have little practical effect, especially in 
the United States; and that there were important steps we could take to 
fill gaps in existing law regardless of what happens with the CWC.
  That is why Senate Republicans have introduced the Chemical and 
Biological Weapons Threat Reduction Act, setting forth a comprehensive 
package of domestic and international steps to address chemical and 
biological threats. Importantly, the legislation reiterates our firm 
commitment to destroying the entire U.S. chemical weapons stockpile 
whether or not the CWC is ratified--a pledge no other chemical weapons 
state has matched.
  Some may be skeptical of this bill because they see it is as an 
alternative to the CWC. To the contrary, S. 495 provides a sensible and 
effective action plan that CWC critics and proponents alike should 
support. By enacting the Chemical and Biological Weapons Threat 
Reduction Act, the United States will lead by example, and will 
underscore its commitment to bringing together like-minded friends and 
allies to make unthinkable the resort to chemical or biological 
weapons. This is not going it alone, this is leadership.
  Mr. COVERDELL addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Enzi). The Senator from Georgia is 
recognized.
  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COVERDELL. 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for the quorum call be rescinded.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. COVERDELL. Mr. President, it is my understanding that the next 
hour, 1 o'clock to 2, is under my control either for my own purposes or 
those that I might designate?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

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