Treaty Making Process

Floor Speech

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as some of my colleagues may be aware, this week the State Department acceded to a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, TAC. This action reflects an effort by the administration to engage vigorously in the region, which I applaud.

The State Department consulted with the Senate prior to taking this step. During the course of these consultations, Senator Kerry, Senator Lugar, and I sought clarification on issues related to the substance of the TAC and to the unique process suggested for U.S. accession. To confirm our understandings on these points, Senators KERRY, LUGAR, and I sent a letter to the Secretary of State on July 10, 2009. On the basis of the understandings set forth in this letter, we did not object to the Department's plan for acceding to the TAC. I believe the letter may be of some interest to Senators since it involves both the constitutional role of the Senate in the treaty making process and American foreign policy in Southeast Asia.

I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record the letter to Secretary Clinton dated July 10, 2009.

There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source