Selected U.S. Senate Proceedings and Debates on Foreign Relations, 1965-1976

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World Hunger/Foreign Assistance

  • Senator Mondale discusses the need to revise and reform the food-for-peace program: "We have already helped millions, but the food-for-peace program is no longer big enough for today's needs. And if present trends continue, it will be far too small and far too inflexible to meet the needs of the future." 89th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 111 (July 29, 1965): 18870-18874.
  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 2826, the World Hunger Act, placing emphasis on "encouraging and stimulating countries which receive our assistance to increase their own food production.... Feeding hungry peoples is not enough. If we just keep people alive, without giving them the tools to provide for themselves, their dependence on us can grow from a temporary misfortune to a permanent habit." The bill is referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (January 26, 1966): 1186-1189.
  • Senators McGovern (D-SD) and Mondale comment on President Johnson's recent address on the Food-for-Peace Program. Senator Mondale calls the address "a bold, imaginative, and realistic attack on a problem which is surely one of the greatest our century will have to face. . . . The President's message has shown the determination of the administration to use our unmatched agricultural capacity to win the war on hunger in the world." 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (February 10, 1966): 2884-2886.
  • Senator Mondale praises President Johnson's proposal for an Indo-American binational foundation: "I think it is fitting that our nation should join with the largest democracy in the world in this joint undertaking, a new effort to attack the problems of poverty, hunger, and deprivation which plague this great friend of ours." 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (March 29, 1966): 6967-6970.
  • Consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 149 (introduced by Senator Ellender (D-LA) on April 1), supporting U.S. participation in relieving victims of hunger in India, and to enhance India's capacity to meet the nutritional needs of its people; the Senate proceeds to consider a similar House Joint Resolution 997 which Senator Mondale encourages his colleagues to pass. The resolution is indefinitely postponed and House Joint Resolution 997 is passed in lieu. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (April 6, 1966): 7874-7883. (Mondale at 7881)
  • Senator Mondale submits Amendment No. 587 to S. 2859 (introduced by Senator Fulbright (D-AK) in February), a bill amending the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961; the amendment establishes or expands adaptive agricultural research programs in developing countries. The bill is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (June 8, 1966): 12623-12626.
  • Senator Mondale submits two amendments to H.R. 14929, the Food for Peace Act of 1966 (introduced in May by Rep. Cooley (D-NC); the amendments call upon other advanced countries to play a greater role in the war on world hunger and emphasize adaptive agricultural research in hungry nations. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (June 24, 1966): 14184.
  • Senator Nelson (D-WI) applauds Senator Mondale's contribution to the foreign aid bill: "The passage of his agricultural research amendment [Amendment No. 587] makes it clear ... that Senator Mondale has become a strong, effective advocate of improved foreign assistance to agriculture...." He submits an article entitled "Mondale Makes a Good Point." 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (August 19, 1966): 20009-20010.
  • Consideration of H.R. 14929, the Food for Peace Act of 1966 (introduced in May by Rep. Cooley (D-NC); Senator Mondale supports the bill and is pleased to report that "of the seven major proposals in my bill [S. 2826], four are included in H.R. 14929 as reported, and a fifth was acted on earlier this year by President Johnson." He expresses concern about the credit terms included in the bill. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (August 29, 1966): 21116-21130. (Mondale at 21120)
  • Consideration of H.R. 14929, the Food for Peace Act of 1966 (introduced in May by Rep. Cooley (D-NC); Senator Mondale submits a Washington Post article announcing India's new 5-year plan giving top priority to agricultural development. The bill is passed in October and becomes Public Law 89-808. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (August 30, 1966): 21200-21204.
  • Senator Mondale applauds President Johnson's commitment to provide food aid to India. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (February 2, 1967): 2319-2320.
  • Senator Mondale announces an alliance between the Agency for International Development and the Pillsbury Co. of Minneapolis; the two groups have launched the first phase of a three-year program to increase supplies of high protein foods in developing countries. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (March 8, 1967): 5886-5887.
  • Consideration of House Joint Resolution 267, supporting emergency food assistance to India; Senator Mondale supports the resolution: "The resolution ... clarifies the cornerstone of our policy on food assistance to agriculturally underdeveloped nations. That cornerstone is our emphasis and insistence upon self-help and the development of self-sufficiency in those countries where population growth is outstripping food production." The resolution is passed and becomes Public Law 90-70. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (March 16, 1967): 7047-7050.
  • Consideration of S. 1872, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1967 (introduced by Senator Fulbright (D-AR) in May) and various amendments. Senator Mondale states: "This is no time to quibble about $33 million. We had best get our priorities in order here, and consider, not how to save $33 million here, and $50 million there, but how to keep our planet habitable for men and women and children.... We should be bigger than to expect love and friendship. If we can contribute to the peace of the world by making it a better place to live in, if we can feed the starving and give them hope, I say that is enough." The bill is passed in November and becomes Public Law 90-137. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (August 17, 1967): 22953-22972 and 22974-22997. (Mondale at 22971 and 22985)
  • Consideration of H.R. 15263, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1968; Senator Mondale submits an amendment increasing the proposed aid by $200 million. The increase would go to countries trying to become agriculturally self-sufficient. Senator Mondale argues: "We are not talking here about idealistic humanitarian aid programs. We are talking about our own national security, and the extent to which a starving world—famine and strife-ridden—threatens the peace of all mankind." 90th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 114 (July 30, 1968): 24176-24189. (Mondale at 24180)
  • The Senate considers H.R. 15263, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1968. Senator Mondale argues: "I do not believe that Congress is adequately aware of the very serious nature of the cuts for agricultural development which are found in the bill as reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations.... Now is the time to begin every reasonable support for this remarkable revolution in agricultural production in Asia, for our own interests as well as theirs—let alone the what should be, in my opinion, the overriding moral responsibility that the decent people of this world should have toward feeding the undernourished." 90th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 114 (July 31, 1968): 24505-24516.
  • Consideration of H.R. 19908, making appropriations for foreign assistance and related agencies; Senator Mondale commends the committee for restoring funds to three programs. The bill is passed and becomes Public Law 90-581. 90th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 114 (October 4, 1968): 29608-29619. (Mondale at 29618)
  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 4117, making Public Law 480, the Food for Peace Program, permanent. The bill is referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (July 23, 1970): 25520.
  • Senators Mondale and Case (R-NJ) introduce Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, suspending military sales and military aid to Pakistan until the conflict in East Pakistan is resolved. The measure is sent to the Committee on Foreign Relations and is indefinitely postponed the following year. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (April 15, 1971): 10500-10501.
  • Senator Mondale implores the Senate to take action to help the people of East Pakistan: "If America's claim to moral and humane values means anything, if the Government of Pakistan deserves to be recognized as the responsible authority in East Pakistan, the only for both governments is the strongest humanitarian action now—before we watch the burial of another generation of babies." 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (May 6, 1971): 13884-13885.
  • Senator Mondale introduces Senate Joint Resolution 143, relating to peace for Pakistan. The resolution is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (July 30, 1971): 28253-28254.
  • Senator Mondale is critical of the United States' support for West Pakistan in the midst of its bloody repression of East Pakistan: "The effect of our aid is directly connected with the destruction going on there. Our weapons and our economic assistance help to carry out the inhumanity." He submits correspondence with the Secretary of State and University of Minnesota Professor Martin Abel. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (August 4, 1971): 29281-29282.
  • Consideration of the conference report for House Joint Resolution 1131; Senator Mondale criticizes the administration's effort to block the normal legislative process for foreign aid. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (October 9, 1974): 34612-34622. (Mondale at 34622)

Israel and the Middle East

Brain Drain

  • Senator Mondale expresses concern about the "brain drain" occurring when the educated in developing countries are recruited to live in the United States to meet our growing needs for high-level manpower: "I feel that the brain drain from developing countries is particularly urgent. It compromises our commitment to development assistance, by depriving new nations of high-level manpower indispensable to their progress. It runs counter to the education and training programs which are so vital in our foreign aid." 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (August 31, 1966): 21477-21480.
  • Senator Mondale discusses the "brain drain" occurring in the field of medicine: "We should be planning now to move toward a situation where the richest nation in the world is able to meet its own medical needs. Then when we invite doctors from developing nations to this country, we can concentrate on providing them with training to handle the problems they will face upon returning home." 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (September 9, 1966): 22179-22192.
  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 3905, establishing "a national policy of providing assistance in relieving the brain drain to developing countries which suffer severely from it, and which also are serious about combating it themselves, and are demonstrating their determination by working to improve professional opportunities for their educated people." The bill is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (October 13, 1966): 26496-26504.
  • Senator Mondale submits an amendment to H.R. 14643, the International Education Act of 1966 (introduced in April by Rep. Brademas (D-IN); the amendment directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to conduct a study of the brain drain problem among students from developing countries that focuses on how many fail to return to their own countries, the reason for not returning, and actions our government and institutions could take to encourage the students' return. He states: "We are in fact robbing these underdeveloped countries of this talent by a combination of policies which encourage them to remain in the United States." The bill is passed and becomes Public Law 89-698. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (October 13, 1966): 26551-26563. (Mondale at 26558)
  • Representative Fraser (D-MN) introduces H.R. 18350, the International Brain Drain Act of 1966, an identical bill to Senator Mondale's S. 3905. The bill is referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. 89th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 112 (October 13, 1966): 26708-26709.

The Vietnam War

  • Senator Mondale reports the results of a Minnesota poll showing support for President Johnson's policies in Vietnam: "President Johnson's policies in Vietnam have brought forth loud criticism from a vocal minority, a minority which claims that these policies do not have the support of the American people. But I am proud to report that, according to a recent poll by the Minneapolis Tribune, a strong majority of Minnesotans do stand behind the President and the action he has taken in meeting this very difficult problem." 89th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 111 (August 16, 1965): 20531-20532.
  • Senator McCarthy (DFL-MN) submits a letter written by Senator Mondale to Arthur Goldberg, U.N. Ambassador, urging the ambassador to "take advantage of the present mood and renew our efforts with the Soviet Union in the United Nations to bring about a cease-fire in Vietnam." 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (June 12, 1967): 15371-15372.
  • Senator Mondale submits his letter to Arthur Goldberg, U.N. Ambassador, encouraging the United Nations to bring about a cease-fire in Vietnam. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (August 30, 1967): 24562.
  • Senator Mondale expresses disappointment in the new South Vietnamese president's statement that the United States should "bear the brunt of the heavy fighting" and the South should "carry on the pacification effort." He states: "The best interests of both nations require that the South Vietnamese take over more of the military and political initiative of the war. General Thieu should be as much interested in this as any of us." 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (September 11, 1967): 25049.
  • Senator Mondale submits his speech at the Young Democratic-Farmer-Labor Issues Conference on Vietnam addressing his concerns about U.S. involvement in Vietnam and explaining why he supports the administration's actions in Vietnam: "Despite my deep frustration over Vietnam, my despair over the destruction of war, my concern for the dying—all the dying. I feel deeply that in all of its tragedy, our present course is the best that we have to pursue. And I cannot bring myself to magnify my reservations to the point where they would be seen—incorrectly, but probably enthusiastically—as a fundamental objection to our policy in Vietnam." He argues that there are many other issues needing attention and that despite the disagreement over Vietnam among democrats, "there is a larger objective. It could be shattered and paralyzed if we let our differences destroy the effectiveness of our party, if our great movement toward human improvement is further divided, split and shattered." 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (November 22, 1967): 33669-33673.
  • Senator Mondale speaks to Macalester students about the Vietnam War: "I once supported this war. I thought it was right. I thought many things would happen in Vietnam; a popular non-corrupt government, land reform, a South Vietnamese army that would fight, and many other things. I found out I was wrong; I admit it; and I think it is time for the U.S. Government to do the same." 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (November 21, 1969): 35362-35363.
  • Senator Mondale introduces Senate Resolution 351, calling for mutual cease-fire and political settlement in Vietnam: "There is absolutely no military victory in sight, even if the other side has shown signs of moving away from direct confrontation toward a more standard guerilla strategy.... It is perfectly evident that nothing will come of the peace talks until something—not a concession, but a new idea—is put forth to break the stalemate and upgrade the talks.... What we are urging is the adoption of a policy which ... is aimed first and foremost at ending the killing." The resolution is referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (February 2, 1970): 2100-2102.
  • Senator Mondale questions U.S. involvement in Laos: "Does the executive branch have the right to involve U.S. forces—whether Army, CIA, or in any other guise—in a war with neither knowledge nor the consent of either Congress or the American people? I say very clearly that the administration has no such right." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (March 9, 1970): 6504.
  • The Senate discusses the war in Vietnam and its expansion into neighboring countries; Senator Mondale states: "I believe that this is perhaps the most tragic mistake our new President has made. We are expanding the war. This is a major escalation. I think it will widen the war. It will cause it to last longer. The number of American boys killed and seriously injured will rise. I deeply hope that the President will change his policy immediately. I intend to join with any of my colleagues in any reasonable step to use the power of Congress to prevent governmental authority on appropriations to be used to pursue this policy." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (May 1, 1970): 13829-13842. (Mondale at 13835)
  • The Senate considers H.R. 15628, the Foreign Military Sales Act, debating the United States' involvement in Vietnam and its expansion into Laos and Cambodia; Senator Mondale expresses dismay at the President's decision to move troops into Cambodia. He submits a speech he gave on the topic. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (May 19, 1970): 16100-16123. (Mondale at 16118)
  • Discussion of the Cooper-Church amendment to H.R. 15628, the Foreign Military Sales Act; Senator Mondale defends Senator Fulbright (D-AR), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, against attacks that he has changed his position on the Vietnam War: "Those who seek to use his words today seek to imply that once a position is taken on matters affecting defense and foreign policy there should be no change." He notes the sharp change in the administration's attitude toward amendments it previously supported. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (June 2, 1970): 17796-17797.
  • Debate on the Cooper-Church amendment to H.R. 15628, the Foreign Military Sales Act; the amendment ends funding to retain U.S. ground troops and military advisors in Cambodia and Laos after June 30, prohibits U.S. involvement in Cambodia without congressional approval, and ends American support for Republic of Vietnam forces outside territorial South Vietnam. Senator Mondale calls the amendment "a crucial step in the reassertion of our Constitutional responsibility over the waging of war and peace. It is a vital measure in the current effort to bring the tragic Indochina war to a close...." The amendment is agreed to but is later rejected in the House. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (May 26, 1970): 17065-17085. (Mondale at 17071)
  • Consideration of H.R. 17123, appropriating funds for the Armed Forces and proposed amendments; Senator Mondale speaks in support of the Hatfield-McGovern amendment, requiring the end of U.S. military operations in Vietnam: "The Hatfield-McGovern amendment represents ... a reassertion of congressional authority in the fateful choices of war and peace ... a reassertion so plainly required by the Constitution and so long overdue.... My colleagues and I rise today to stop at last the killing and maiming of Americans in Vietnam." The amendment fails to pass on September 1. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (August 28, 1970): 30347-30404. (Mondale at 30381)
  • The Senate considers Amendment No. 862, the McGovern-Hatfield Amendment, to H.R. 17123; the amendment sets a deadline of December 31, 1971 for the complete withdrawal of American troops from South Vietnam. The amendment is rejected 55-39. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 116 (September 1, 1970): 30663-30683.
  • Senator Mondale calls on the administration to be honest about the situation in Vietnam: "The administration must show it has not been misleading the American people in the continued spending of lives and money.... Americans must know the truth about Vietnam to prepare us for whatever trials may lie ahead. For if Communist victories are to be the outcome, we face either the challenge of accepting reality of the madness of some attempt to reverse it. In any event, the sacrifice we have made obligates our government to tell us the truth, the whole truth, and to tell us now." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (December 14, 1970): 41304-41307.
  • Senator Mondale supports S. 376 (introduced by Senator McGovern, D-SD), the Vietnam Disengagement Act of 1971: "I am not talking about Nixon's war or Johnson's war. This war belongs at the doorstep of every public official—including myself—who stood by and let it happen. We quibbled. We gave the benefit of the doubt. We were never more wrong." 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (January 27, 1971): 735-738. (Mondale at 737)
  • Senator Mondale is extremely upset over the invasion of Laos; he urges his colleagues to pass S. 376, the Vietnam Disengagement Act, and to extend that legislation "to cover all of Indochina." 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (February 10, 1971): 2505-2506.
  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 974, amending the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to prohibit any involvement in the participation of the U.S. Armed Forces in an invasion of North Vietnam without congressional authorization. The bill is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (February 25, 1971): 3904-3905.
  • Senator Hatfield submits the remarks of Senator Mondale to the Baptist National Convention on the problems of reconstruction of Vietnam after the war. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (May 25, 1971): 16729-16730.
  • Consideration of H.R. 6531, the Military Selective Service Act (introduced in March by Representatives Hebert and Arends) and Amendment No. 143, the McGovern-Hatfield Amendment to end the war in Vietnam. Senator Mondale speaks in support of the amendment: "How many more men must be killed? How many more billions wasted? With the overwhelming majority of our constituents wanting us to end this war once and for all, how much longer will the Congress go on appropriating the money to perpetuate the tragedy? And if we do not stop the war now, how much does this representative government mean in this country? That is why this vote is so much more than a trial of policy. It is a test of this institution and of its pretense to legislate in response to the will of the people. Most of all, it is a test of our ability as a nation to cleanse ourselves of incredible error and dishonor. I pray we will not fail this test any longer." The McGovern-Hatfield amendment is rejected a second time. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (June 16, 1971): 20175-20216. (Mondale at 20213)
  • Senator Eagleton introduces for himself and Senator Mondale Senate Resolution 148, the Mondale-Eagleton Resolution; the resolution calls on the administration to consider the recent Communist proposals on withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam and repatriation of U.S. prisoners. The resolution is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (July 12, 1971): 24476-24477.
  • Senator Mondale speaks in support of Senator Symington's (D-MO) amendment to H.R. 8687, the military procurement authorization bill; the amendment would prevent the executive branch from unilaterally expanding U.S. involvement in Laos. The amendment is agreed to. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (October 4, 1971): 34681-34698. (Mondale at 34689)
  • Senator Mondale is critical of Congress' inaction in ending the Vietnam War: "What does it say about us as a people that we turn our backs, that we go along to other business, that we let this nightmare continue one more day, because 1,355 Americans are somehow a better, more acceptable number than 9,000 or 15,000? Have we become so numb by the carnage of the last several years that American boys can go on dying so long as their numbers are below some gruesome threshold of public outrage?" 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (December 9, 1971): 45738-45739.
  • Mondale helps introduce S. 3409, providing for the cessation of bombing in Indochina and for the withdrawal of U.S. military personnel from the Republic of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos: "Our purpose is simple. We want to end American involvement in the war and end it now. We think the American people should know clearly how the Senate will face that choice in 1972. The time is long past for lengthy speeches on this war. The Senate may debate or alter the details of our amendment. But in the end, it will all come down to the basic question: Do we let this nightmare continue?" The bill is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (March 23, 1972): 9813-9840.
  • The Senate discusses the hostilities in Vietnam; Senator Mondale states: "So it is another spring. Again cherry blossoms by the Tidal Basin. And more death and destruction over Indochina. More unrelieved despair in the POW camps of North Vietnam. Still more quiet pain in veterans hospitals. And unanswered silence of 53,000 young Americans in cemeteries across this land. And now more words here in Congress. It is yet another tragic spring for our country. I only pray that somehow, in some way, we will make it the last of its kind." 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (April 19, 1972): 13305-13365. (Mondale at 13327)
  • Senator Mondale questions U.S. involvement in and bombing of Vietnam; he is critical of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu's declaration of martial law, ruling by decree, and manipulation of his own election: "So we continue to play out the tragedy. We are bombing to defend our troops; bombing to bring our prisoners home; bombing to insure the survival of President Thieu. Since 1969, we have achieved a single objective—the survival of President Thieu—at the cost of more than 20,000 American lives, 4 million civilian refugees, and 165,000 civilian deaths in South Vietnam alone. The statistics numb the mind. Like the images of villages destroyed, families running for their lives, children fleeing in terror from a napalm strike, they have become part of our daily life." 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 26, 1972): 32373-32374.
  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 1544, prohibiting the further expenditure of funds for armed hostilities in Cambodia unless approved by Congress. The bill is referred to the Committee on Armed Services. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (April 11, 1973): 11865-11866.
  • Consideration of House Joint Resolution 636, making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1974; the Senate discusses the vote of the Committee on Foreign Relations to allow the bombing of Cambodia until August 15, the president's authority for the bombing, and the possibility of overriding the president's veto of the Eagleton amendment cutting off all funds for bombing in Cambodia. Senator Mondale argues that if the president refuses to sign the Eagleton Amendment and if Congress is unable to override the president's veto, then Congress could refuse to increase the debt ceiling, bring the government to a halt: "I think that is a small price to pay to end this tragic war immediately. It is a viable remedy, however regrettable, and it is one that we can succeed in if a majority of Congress wishes immediately to end that war." The resolution is passed. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (June 29, 1973): 22302-22327. (Mondale at 22313)
  • The Senate debates S. 440, the War Powers Act, to make rules governing the use of the Armed Forces of the United States in the absence of a declaration of war by Congress (introduced in January by Senator Javits, D-NY). The Act requires the President to notify Congress within forty-eight hours of American troop deployment to combat areas, and forces troop withdrawal after sixty days unless Congress has authorized the troops to stay. Senator Mondale calls it "a bipartisan, nonideological attempt to restore the constitutional balance of power between Congress and the President, not to alter it." The bill passes and is referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (July 20, 1973): 25093-25120. (Mondale at 25116)

Trade

General Foreign Relations and National Security

  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 4145, authorizing loans to aid in the development and construction of the United Nations headquarters in New York City: "I am pleased to introduce legislation which serves a vital national interest—the continued ability of the United Nations to pursue its role of promoting progress and maintaining peace throughout the world." The bill is referred to the Committee on Banking and Currency. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (July 29, 1970): 26280-26281.
  • Consideration of H.R. 6531, the Military Selective Service Act; Senator Mondale opposes the extension of the draft and states the measures he will take if an extension should pass the Senate. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (May 25, 1971): 16760-16777. (Mondale at 16775)
  • Senator Mondale argues against cutting U.N. funds in retaliation for the General Assembly's expulsion of Nationalist China: "If the President or Members of Congress were offended at the behavior of U.N. delegates in New York when the China vote was announced, I would simply ask them to remember that a cut-off of U.N. funds would not punish those delegates. On the contrary, we would be exacting our retribution on innocent men, women, and children in every corner of the world who had no part or responsibility in Monday night's spectacle." 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (October 28, 1971): 37960-37961.
  • Discussion of Senate Resolution 358, expressing the sense of the Senate on the tragic killings of Israeli Olympic team members at the Twentieth Olympiad at Munich; Senator Mondale supports the resolution: "In sorrow and anger I ask this body to approve Senate Resolution 358, condemning the outrage in Munich and extending the sympathy of the U.S. Senate to the victims' families, to the surviving members of the Israeli Olympic team, and to the people and Government of Israel." The resolution is agreed to. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 6, 1972): 29439-29445. (Mondale at 29441)
  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 3988, establishing a Commission on National Security: "In national defense, unlike so many issues that face us, there is no one special interest, no one region or group to be served. Our constituency is all America, and at stake is the future of our children and the peace of the world. That is why I think Senators and Congressmen of both parties should be able to agree that we need a dispassionate and fresh look at where we are going in national defense. And that is why I think the next administration, whatever its composition, should welcome an independent and fair analysis of the fateful choices before it." The bill is referred to the Committee on Armed Services. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 14, 1972): 30683-30686.
  • Consideration of S. 2335, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1973; Senator Mondale introduces an amendment calling upon the Austrian Government "to reverse its decision and again permit group travel by Soviet Union emigrants through Austria on their way to freedom and new lives; and to urge all governments to take whatever actions are necessary to permit and facilitate the travel of refugees." The amendment is agreed to. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (October 1, 1973): 32264-32267 and 32280-32288.
  • Consideration of S. 2589, the National Energy Emergency Act of 1973; Senator Mondale introduces an amendment to improve the U.S. relationship with Canada: "It is my opinion that our relationships with Canada are not nearly as good as they should be. This amendment is designed to authorize and direct our government to begin immediate emergency consultations with the Canadian Government for the development of a joint energy approach by means of which we could work together in trying to solve our problems." Senator Mondale discusses the history of the U.S. relationship with Canada. The amendment is agreed to. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (November 16, 1973): 37501-37511.
  • Senator Mondale recognizes the 25th anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty: "Yet what a sad birthday it is. The president's trip to Europe has been canceled. The 'Year of Europe' has turned into a bad joke. The president lashes out at the allies in a way he has been careful never to do with our adversaries. The disillusion and disarray in the alliance has never been more profound; and the prospects of real European unity perhaps never more remote. The concept of a partnership across the Atlantic between the United States and a strong and united Europe is a fading dream. The reality is that our relationships have deteriorated to the point where our economic well-being and economic security may be jeopardized." 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (April 4, 1974): 9705-9707.
  • After returning from Europe, Senator Mondale discusses the need for an emergency international conference on inflation: "The time for action is now. The problem won't wait. The point at which hyperinflation breaks out, where inflation feeds on itself, may only be a few digits away. Once it strikes, the world may never again be the same." 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (April 23, 1974): 11272-11273.
  • Senator Mondale introduces Senate Resolution 335, calling upon the president to urge the Syrian leadership to let Syrian Jews emigrate to the United States or elsewhere. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (June 6, 1974): 17942.
  • Senator Humphrey (DFL-MN) submits articles by Senator Mondale discussing international economic problems and their effects on the domestic economy. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (October 3, 1974): 33811-33816.
  • Consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 247, suspending military aid to Turkey after 60 days in response to its occupation of Cyprus; Senator Eagleton (D-MO) submits Senator Mondale's statement against the resolution, arguing that aid should be suspended immediately. The resolution is passed. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (October 9, 1974): 34672-34678.
  • Senator Mondale is pleased with the administration's decision to cancel Secretary Kissinger's trip to Chile: "I commend this decision as one that not only strengthens international concern for human rights, but also fortifies recent moves on the part of the executive and legislative branches to work more closely together in a spirit of cooperation on foreign policy matters." 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (April 23, 1975): 11415.
  • Consideration of Senate Resolution 148 (introduced by Senator Cranston, D-CA), welcoming the latest refugees to the United States; Senator Mondale speaks in support of the resolution and addresses fears that incoming refugees will take jobs from Americans. The resolution is agreed to and the measure passes. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (May 8, 1975): 13592-13600. (Mondale at 13595)
  • Consideration of S. 920 (introduced in March by Senator Stennis, D-MS), the Military Procurement Authorization Act, 1976; Senator Mondale discusses his views of the direction the country needs to take on foreign policy: "The first step in revising our thinking about foreign policy should be to jettison the amorphous term 'national security,' and to get back to talking concretely about our diplomatic, military, economic, and other interests.... I believe the fog of national security helped to lead us into the tragic swamp of Vietnam, into the morass called Watergate." H.R. 6674 is passed in lieu. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (June 2, 1975): 16391-16470. (Mondale at 16468)
  • Senator Pastore (D-RI) introduces Senate Resolution 221, relating to international cooperation in strengthening safeguards of nuclear materials, for himself and Senators Mondale, Inouye (D-HI), and Montaya (D-NM); Senator Mondale discusses his reasons for supporting the resolution. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (July 26, 1975): 25116-25119.
  • Senator Mondale applauds the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for approving Senate Resolution 221 (introduced in July), expressing the concern of the Senate about the sale of nuclear enrichment and reprocessing facilities to nonnuclear countries. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (December 10, 1975): 39631-39632.
  • Representative Brademas (D-IN) submits Senator Mondale's remarks given at the University of Notre Dame as well as articles from The New York Times and The Washington Post about the address. 94th Cong. 2nd sess., Congressional Record 122 (September 13, 1976): 30178-30179.

The Soviet Union and Arms Control

  • Senator Mondale acknowledges and celebrates Rumanian Independence Day within an historical context. 89th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 111 (May 12, 1965): 10320.
  • Senator Mondale is critical of the Soviet Union's treatment of its Jewish citizens. 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (October 25, 1967): 30048.
  • Senator Mondale discusses the need for a United Nations peacekeeping force: "As long as the United States or any other powerful country shoulders the entire burden of policing the world, there always will be a threat that the powers with opposing interests will become involved." 90th Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 113 (December 5, 1967): 35028-35029.
  • Senator Mondale praises President Johnson for signing the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and warns: "We must find a way to avoid a new escalation of the arms race, an escalation which would be more dangerous and more costly than any we have known. Without such discussions, the nuclear arms race will spiral upward.... This can only result in higher and higher destructive power on each side and vast diversion of resources from peaceful pursuits—with no increase in security for anyone." 90th Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 114 (July 1, 1968): 19500.
  • Senator Mondale submits a joint statement by 50 senators and representatives congratulating President Nixon on his pledge for world peace. They pledged their support for four measures: prompt ratification of the Nonproliferation Treaty; talks with the Soviet Union to curb the arms race; immediate reconsideration of the ABM system; a thorough analysis of defense spending to locate responsible cuts. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (February 19, 1969): 3918-3919.
  • Senators Proxmire (D-WI) and Mondale discuss the need to fully understand the Soviet Union's economic capability to challenge the United States militarily. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (July 15, 1969): 19509-19517. (Mondale at 19511)
  • Consideration of S. 2546, (introduced in July from the Committee on Armed Services), authorizing appropriations for procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, and tracked combat vehicles and to authorize the constructions of test facilities; Senator Mondale speaks in detail about his reasons for opposing the anti-ballistic-missile system: "To straighten out the problems which Americans confront, both young and old, we must make clear that we are a nation of peace, not a nation of war; a nation of life and not one of death and destruction. The best way we can do this is by making every possible effort to achieve successful disarmament talks.... I am terribly afraid that our deployment of ABM, even the initial authorization of deployment at two sites, and the further testing and installation of MIRVed warheads will seriously jeopardize any chance we have of achieving accord through disarmament talks." 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (July 28, 1969): 20993-21002.
  • Senator Mondale modifies his Amendment No. 136 to S. 2546, authorizing appropriations for procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, and tracked combat vehicles and to authorize the constructions of test facilities; his amendment would delay authorization of funds for a nuclear aircraft carrier until a comprehensive study of the issues connected with the size and composition of our aircraft carrier force was submitted to Congress; the modification clarifies that Congress conduct the study called for by the amendment. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (September 9, 1969): 24779-24780.
  • Consideration of S. 2546, authorizing appropriations for procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, and tracked combat vehicles and to authorize the constructions of test facilities; Senators Mondale and Case (R-NJ) submit an amendment to the bill that withholds authorization of $377.1 million to build a second attack carrier. Light is made of remarks by the Chief of Naval Operations in which he recounts wars and near wars since 1946, including with "major" powers like Zanzibar. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (September 10, 1969): 25057-25079.
  • Further consideration of S. 2546 and Senator Mondale and Case's amendment No. 136, delaying authorization of funds for a nuclear aircraft carrier until a comprehensive study of the issues connected with the size and composition of our aircraft carrier force was submitted to Congress. The amendment is agreed to. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (September 12, 1969): 25290-25304 (and 25309-25329).
  • Senator Mondale expresses concern over upcoming nuclear tests by the Atomic Energy Commission; he submits Senator Nelson's (D-WI) testimony on the matter to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 91st Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 115 (September 29, 1969): 27500-27502.
  • Representative Moorhead (D-PA) submits the testimony of Senator Mondale before the Joint Senate-House Armed Services Subcommittee on CVAN-70 Aircraft Carrier. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (April 29, 1970): 13426-13434.
  • Senator Mondale submits Amendment No. 623 to H.R. 15628, the Foreign Military Sales Act: "In order to put a stop to the independent foreign policy of the Pentagon, to prevent the use of military assistance for unapproved purposes, and to insure that every transfer of military arms and equipment is undertaken only with congressional sanction, we must change the surplus arms program. The amendment which I have proposed makes this possible." 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (May 12, 1970): 15059-15060.
  • Senator Case (R-NJ) submits Senator Mondale's statements against funding for a new attack carrier and the report of the Joint Senate-House Armed Services Subcommittee on CVAN-70 Aircraft Carrier recommending funding. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (May 15, 1970): 15707-15715.
  • Senator Scott (R-PA) introduces Senate Resolution 415 for himself and Senator Mondale, urging the President to call upon the Soviet Union to remove all Russian personnel from the United Arab Republic. The Resolution is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (June 2, 1970): 17795-17796.
  • Consideration of S. 3302 (introduced in May), amending the Defense Production Act of 1950; Senator Mondale supports the bill: "Nothing less than a complete approach to the formulation of cost-accounting standards is required. This is the objective of the legislation. I therefore urge the Senate to act favorably on S. 3302." The bill passes and becomes Public Law 91-379. 91st Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 116 (July 9, 1970): 23454-23464 and 23480-23496.
  • Consideration of H.R. 15495, authorizing military procurements for 1973; Senator Mondale supports Senator Saxbe's (R-OH) amendment which strikes the proposed funding of a fourth nuclear attack carrier, citing the Navy's inability to make a strong enough case for the carrier. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (July 26, 1972): 25394-25407 and 25409-25422. (Mondale at 25399)
  • Senator Mondale accuses the Soviet Union of cynicism and inhumanity as a result of its "requiring arbitrary and exorbitant fees as payment for permission to emigrate from the U.S.S.R." 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September 13, 1972): 30411.
  • Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) submits Senator Mondale's statement on the Soviet Union's treatment of Jews trying to emigrate from the country. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (September, 15, 1972): 30918.
  • Consideration of S. 1443, the Foreign Military Sales and Assistance Act, authorizing the furnishing of defense articles and services to foreign countries and international organizations; Senator Mondale introduces an amendment directing the president to convene an international convention on conventional arms in order to negotiate a ceiling on arms transfers and a reduction thereafter. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (June 25, 1973): 21122-21141. (Mondale at 21139)
  • Senator Mondale introduces Senate Resolution 168, relating to Soviet treatment of intellectual dissidents: "This campaign of the Soviet Government to harass and intimidate those who have demonstrated enormous courage in advocating civil liberties, truth, and human decency, offends the conscience of free peoples everywhere." 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (September 12, 1973): 29429-29430.
  • Senator Mondale introduces an amendment to H.R. 8916, the appropriation bill for the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce; the amendment criticizes the Soviet Union's "outrageous and repressive treatment" of the country's critics. The amendment is agreed to and the bill is passed. 93rd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 119 (September 17, 1973): 29886-29890.
  • Senator Mondale urges Secretary of State Kissinger to discuss the issue of limiting the arms race in the Indian Ocean at the United States-Soviet summit meeting in Moscow. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (March 22, 1974): 7881-7882.
  • Senator Mondale expresses concern that the Soviet Union will take advantage of internal U.S. difficulties (Watergate) in the strategic arms negotiations: "For this reason, I believe that we must convey to the Secretary of State, and he in turn must make clear to the Soviet Union, that the American people and the Senate of the United States overwhelmingly support his efforts to achieve a fair and effective SALT agreement." 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (April 11, 1974): 10840-10843.
  • Consideration of S. 3000, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act; Senator Mondale argues against an amendment introduced by Senator Mansfield (D-MT) reducing the number of U.S. forces in Europe: "Making the scale of reductions the majority leader has proposed does not suit the political or security requirements of America today. The fragile nature of our transatlantic relations, the delicate balance which exists in Asia, the fact that we ourselves do not have the kind of political leadership that can effectively implement significant reductions and still retain U.S. influence abroad, all lead me to conclude that this is not the time for such massive reductions." The Mansfield amendment is rejected. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (June 6, 1974): 18018-18059. (Mondale at 18043)
  • Consideration of S. 3000, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act; Senator Mondale argues against "first-strike programs" and submits an amendment stating that "research and development funds for ICBMs be used to enhance their ability to withstand a Soviet first strike and not give our ICBMs a better capability to carry out a first strike on Soviet ICBMs." 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (June 7, 1974): 18253.
  • Senator Nelson (D-WI) submits a speech by Senator Mondale on the strategic arms limitation talks. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (December 9, 1974): 38487-38489.
  • Senator Kennedy (D-MA) submits Senate Resolution 448, relating to further arms control measures; Senator Mondale expresses skepticism of the recent Vladivostok agreement with Russia: "That agreement was announced as a breakthrough in our relationships, and I suppose to some extent it is, but what it appears to involve is basically this. We took our strategic arms plans that we had, the Russians took the strategic armaments plans they had, we stapled them together and called it a breakthrough. The president said it put a cap on the arms race, but if it is a cap, it rides 10 or 15 feet above our head because it involves ... a massive buildup in strategic armaments both on the part of the Soviet Union and on the part of the United States...." The resolution is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (December 12, 1974): 39386-39392. (Mondale at 39389)
  • Senators Kennedy (D-MA), Mathias (R-MD), and Mondale introduce Senate Resolution 20, calling upon the President to complete the negotiations on arms control with the Soviet Union and advises him to seek additional agreements that will curb strategic arms competition not covered by the Vladivostok agreement. The resolution is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (January 17, 1975): 728-730.
  • Senator Mondale introduces Senate Resolution 188, expressing Senate opposition to the sale of uranium enrichment and reprocessing plants to nonnuclear weapons countries: "If we in the United States, with three decades of experience in our military programs, are not confident that sufficient controls can be devised to assure that commercial plutonium production will not jeopardize the public safety, there is every reason to believe that less experienced countries will encounter even greater difficulties." The resolution is referred to Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (June 18, 1975): 19424-19426.
  • Senator Mondale introduces Senate Resolution 296, stating that the President should offer to voluntarily limit United States weapons sales during the next fiscal year, provided other major weapons suppliers also seek limitations on international arms sales. The resolution is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (November 6, 1975): 35286-35288.
  • Consideration of S. 2662, the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976; Senator Mondale speaks in support of the bill: "As one who is deeply concerned about our inability to investigate, weigh, and control our dealings with other nations in this important area, I wholeheartedly support the measures included in the foreign military sales bill. The far-reaching reforms that have been proposed in this legislation represent a judicious and long-overdue commitment to implement guidelines by which Congress, in cooperation with the executive branch, can finally judge the impact and merit of arms sales and transfers." The bill is passed. 94th Cong. 2nd sess., Congressional Record 122 (February 18, 1976): 3603-3642. (Mondale at 3633)
  • Consideration of H.R. 12438, the Department of Defense Appropriations Authorization Act of 1977; Senator Mondale supports further research and development for the B-1 bomber, but he opposes the production of the airplane until Congress has a better basis for making the decision. 94th Cong. 2nd sess., Congressional Record 122 (May 20, 1976): 14819-14855. (Mondale at 14846)
  • Senator Clark (D-IA) discusses the U.S. arms policy; he submits a speech to the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco by Senator Mondale entitled "Arms Control and American Security." 94th Cong. 2nd sess., Congressional Record 122 (September 10, 1976): 29631-29636.

Drug Trafficking

  • Senator Mondale introduces S. 509, the International Opium Control Act: "I am introducing here comprehensive legislation which would build an international quarantine to stamp out heroin traffic. The bill provides means to do this through fair cooperation with other countries. It offers assistance in diversifying crops and a major U.S. contribution to an international police campaign to break the drug network of processing and distribution. But if this cooperation is not forthcoming, if others show evasion or indifference in our emergency, then my bill would call for strict penalties—the suspension of all U.S. military, economic, and other assistance, and ultimately an action to impose United Nations sanctions. I know these are harsh measures. They are made necessary by the harsh realities of what the heroin traffic is doing to our nation." The bill is referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (February 1, 1971): 1213-1215.
  • Senator Mondale discusses a bill he introduced, the International Opium Control Act, which cuts off economic and military aid to countries which fail to eliminate illegal opium production and processing; he submits articles about his work to inhibit the drug trade. 92nd Cong., 1st sess., Congressional Record 117 (March 19, 1971): 7197-7199.
  • Consideration of Senator Mondale's amendment to S. 3390, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1972; the amendment requires the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to submit to Congress a comprehensive survey and analysis of the illegal narcotics traffic. His amendment is agreed to. The bill is rejected. 92nd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 118 (July 24, 1972): 25088-25090.
  • Senator Mondale introduces Senate Concurrent Resolution 84, insisting that immediate negotiations be undertaken to maintain the ban on opium in Turkey, and to terminate assistance to Turkey if negotiations don't occur. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (May 8, 1974): 13937-13938.
  • Senator Mondale submits an amendment to the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-513); his amendment would terminate economic and military assistance to Turkey as a result of the Turkish Government's announcement that it would resume the production of opium. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (July 8, 1974): 22240-22242.
  • Consideration of S. 3355, to amend the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970; debate on Senator Mondale's amendment to terminate economic and military aid to any government permitting the illegal production of opium. Senator Mondale's amendment is agreed to and the bill is passed. It becomes Public Law 93-481. 93rd Cong., 2nd sess., Congressional Record 120 (July 11, 1974): 22907-22929.
  • Senator Mondale expresses concern at the United States' consideration to grow opium and import opium from Turkey. 94th Cong. 1st sess., Congressional Record 121 (March 20, 1975): 7907-7908.

Speeches & Publications Submitted