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April 25, 1997

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White House at Work


After Major Push by President Clinton,
Senate Ratifies Chemical Weapons Convention

The Chemical Weapons Convention is good for America's security:

Because of last night's vote, our troops will be less likely to face poison gas in the field, our hand will be strengthened against rogue states and terrorists, and we will help to eliminate the horror of chemical weapons.

The vote for the Chemical Weapons Convention is an important example of bipartisan cooperation:

The Chemical Weapons Convention has been a model of bipartisan cooperation. First negotiated under President Reagan, completed under President Bush and submitted to the Senate by President Clinton, it received the support of prominent Republicans and Democrats -- including Senator Dole, General Powell, Brent Scowcroft and military leaders past and present.

Virtually all concerns that had been raised were met through bipartisan negotiations initiated by President Clinton and Majority Leader Lott, and a willingness to put aside politics and work together to make America more secure.

And now let's move forward. This vote once again shows that we are stronger as a nation when we work together. This is true for American leadership in the world, and it is also how we must meet our major challenges at home: finishing the job of reforming welfare, strengthening our education system, fighting crime and defending our environment, and balancing the budget in a way that protects our priorities for the future.


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