[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12700]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           BOLTON NOMINATION

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, from the outset of the debate on John 
Bolton's nomination, Senate Democrats have had a clear and consistent 
position. If the administration works in good faith to give the Senate 
the information it deserves, the Senate Democrats are ready to 
immediately give this nomination an up-or-down vote. We said this as 
far back as April, and it remains our position today. Despite the 
administration's refusal to turn over any of the requested information 
during this time period, Senator Frist told me yesterday he was 
inclined to seek another vote on the Bolton nomination. While the 
majority leader is certainly within his rights to do this, unless the 
administration changes course before this vote is held, the outcome 
will be exactly the same as it was last month and may even have less 
support than it did before.
  Here is why: The history and precedent in the Senate makes it clear 
the Senate has a right to information that bears directly on the 
fitness of a political nominee to serve. Virtually every other 
administration has recognized the Senate's rights and provided the 
needed information--every administration, that is, except this one. 
Many colleagues on the majority have stood for the Senate's right to 
get information from the executive branch in the past. We have many 
statements on record to that effect. These colleagues have made it 
clear, with their words and deeds, that it was perfectly legitimate for 
the Senate to withhold action on an executive nominee until the 
executive branch provided certain information, even if the information 
requested had nothing to do with the nominee in question.
  In this instance, we are seeking information that bears directly on 
the fitness of John Bolton to serve as our representative to the United 
Nations. We are not engaging in any fishing expedition. We are seeking 
clearly defined documents and information about two very important 
issues:
  No. 1, did Bolton attempt to exaggerate what Congress would be told 
about Syria's alleged weapons of mass destruction capabilities? 
Remember, we have some experience in weapons of mass destruction 
information being altered and manipulated.
  No. 2, did Bolton use and perhaps misuse highly classified 
intelligence intercepts to spy on bureaucratic rivals who disagreed 
with his views or for other inappropriate purposes?
  These are two very direct, simple issues that bear on this man's 
capability and fitness to serve in the United Nations.
  The administration's position on these requests has been that 
political appointees are qualified to see this information but that 
Senators elected by the American people are not. I believe this is 
unacceptable.
  During this impasse, Senate Democrats have repeatedly demonstrated 
our good faith to break the current impasse and give Mr. Bolton a vote. 
Yesterday, I heard some of my Republican colleagues assert that 
Democrats have been shifting the goalpost on resolving this issue, and 
they are absolutely right, we have. Instead of having a 100-yard 
football field, now we have made it only 60 yards. We have moved in 
their direction. Just last week, Senators Biden, ranking member of 
Foreign Relations and, of course, Senator Dodd, the ranking member of 
the Rules Committee, made another effort to resolve the impasse over 
the Bolton nomination. Everyone in the Senate and outside this body 
should understand that this offer moves significantly away from our 
initial request in a sincere effort to resolve the situation. Everyone 
should also understand that, unfortunately, this latest effort to reach 
an accommodation with the White House has apparently met the same fate 
as previous efforts to work things out--silence from the 
administration.
  Even yesterday, the ranking member of the Finance Committee--I should 
say the vice chair Senator Rockefeller of West Virginia, which is the 
proper title--offered his assistance, to break the impasse. He sent a 
letter to the Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, to 
that effect.
  We have said publicly, if this administration, similar to every other 
administration, respects the requests of the Senate, we will 
immediately move to grant Bolton an up-or-down vote. I stand by that 
pledge today. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will 
recognize we are following their precedent with our actions today. I 
hope this administration brings an end to its pattern of abusing its 
powers and treats this coequal branch of Government with the respect it 
deserves.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the 
quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Vitter). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________