[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 37 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        UNFORTUNATE PASSAGE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CONFERENCE REPORT

  (Mr. PAUL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, yesterday the foreign affairs conference 
report was unfortunately passed without a recorded vote. For weeks, 
arms had been twisted because the votes were not available to pass it. 
This surprised some and pleased many who preferred not to be recorded 
on this crucial issue.
  But, unfortunately, the process only adds to the cynicism that many 
Americans hold for the U.S. Congress. Nearly a billion dollars were 
appropriated for the controversial back dues to the United Nations, 
which for many of us was not owed.
  It was argued by many right-to-life advocates that the bill was worth 
passing because the antiabortion language was stronger than ever and 
would now be codified. Unfortunately, the antiabortion language was 
weaker than ever with a convenient, huge loophole for the President to 
continue funding countries and groups that perform and promote 
abortion, language now to be codified.
  Events surrounding the passage of the foreign affairs conference 
report occurring yesterday should not make any of us proud.

                          ____________________