[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 3, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  FEINSTEIN-KENNEDY AMENDMENT TO THE FY2004 DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION BILL

 Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I submit into the record a 
statement to clarify my position on the development of low yield 
nuclear weapons. Circumstances prevented me from voting last week on 
the Feinstein-Kennedy amendment to the FY2004 defense authorization 
bill which would have struck any provisions that might permit research, 
development, testing, or deployment of low yield nuclear weapons. At 
the time, my vote was announced as an ``aye'' in favor of a motion to 
table the amendment. Through no fault of the distinguished Senator from 
Nevada who announced my vote, if I had been here, I would have voted 
``nay,'' and supported the common sense proposal of the Senators from 
California and Massachusetts.
  Last week, in a statement entered into the Record, I made clear my 
opposition to the development of low yield nuclear weapons, as well as 
the robust nuclear earth penetrator. It is absurd to think the United 
States will start development on a new generation of nuclear weapons at 
the same moment we seek the world's support in an effort to halt the 
spread of nuclear weapons and technology.
  Senator Feinstein and Senator Kennedy were correct. These weapons 
don't make us safer. And I thank them for their continued leadership on 
this vital issue.

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