Senate Proceeding on Dec 22nd, 2010 :: 2:32:40 to 2:36:05
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2:32:40 to 2:33:00( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: capability? isn't that the threat that we're concerned about more than russia? mr. demint: well, mr. president, i want to thank the senator from oklahoma for bringing out another very important point. we're laser-focused on this treaty with russia that obviously restricts our ability to develop missile defense, yet we all seem to acknowledge that

2:32:40 to 2:36:05( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jim DeMint

2:33:01 to 2:33:24( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: the greatest growing threat in this country is from iran and north korea and other rogue -- rogue nations that can -- can develop nuclear technology. and it's almost like a magician play here of getting us to look at one hand while other things are going on. we're really not paying attention to the nation's business here.

2:33:25 to 2:33:47( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: and i'm afraid what this is is another "check the box," a foreign policy victory for the administration, which if it did not have so many questions related to it, that would be fine. but to jam this through in a fired, unaccountable congress, rushing it through before the representatives that america just sent here are sworn in, and

2:33:48 to 2:34:10( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: doing it as part of a list of -- of legislation, a long list over the last two years of things that america just does not want. i want good relations with russia and countries all over the world but i'm afraid this is part of a continued effort of accommodation and appeasement, that if we show weakness, other countries will accommodate us.

2:34:11 to 2:34:31( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: we need russia to cooperate and -- with russia and north korea. folks, i don't think this is the way to get it, and i don't think we're going to gain respect for our process of trying to do this under the cover of a distraction of a major holiday, with a lame duck, unaccountable congress. and the way this is being

2:34:32 to 2:34:52( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: presented, it's kind of a mockery of the debate process here in the senate. we're not amending a treaty. we were told at the outset, it's take it or leave it. the russians are negotiating clearly from a position of strength because they said, here's the treaty, take or leave

2:34:53 to 2:35:14( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: it, any changes and the treaty -- is dead. is that the way america needs to deal with other countries? is that the way the senate should debate a major arms control agreement, where the majority party is saying, you can go talk about it if you want but we're going to kill every amendment, even though we say we agree with a lot of them there,

2:35:15 to 2:35:35( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: wi changes in this, we're trying to stick some things in the areas of the treaty that have no binding aspect and say we've covered it when we're making a mockery of the whole debate and ratification process. in an unaccountable, fired congress, cover the christmas, in a debate where we've been

2:35:36 to 2:35:56( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: told "take it or leave it." folks, this is not what the senate's about. this is not what congress is supposed to be about. certainly we should not be passing major legislation at this time of year with this congress. so, mr. president, i appreciate the opportunity to speak. i still hope my colleagues will come to their senses and show the american people that we're

2:35:57 to 2:36:06( Edit History Discussion )

Jim DeMint: going to act in a responsible way that respects what they told us on november 2, and that this congress needs to go, a new one needs to come in.