John Ashcroft on Foreign Policy

	John Ashcroft on Foreign Policy Former Attorney General; Former Republican Senator (MO)

Vehement opponent of the expansion of NATO

Senator Ashcroft, a first term Republican, has been an outspoken and vehement opponent of the expansion of the NATO alliance. Source: ExpandNATO.org/JohnAshcroft.html , Nov 7, 2000

UN has no say in deployment of US forces

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stated that the US would have to consult with the Security Council before launching military strikes against Saddam Hussein. Let me state categorically that the US does not require the permission of the United Nations to use our military forces in the pursuit of our national interests. Nor does the UN have any authority to require that the US use our military forces if it would seek to deploy them. The US has never, at any time, ceded to the UN any power to require the deployment of American forces against the wishes or the judgment of the US, nor have we ceded to the UN any power to forbid the use of our military force. The comments by Secretary General Annan over the weekend are indicative of a growing arrogance of a United Nations that has grown accustomed to dictating American foreign policy toward Iraq. Statements by the UN Secretary General that imply UN oversight of US military forces are indicative of UN arrogance and disrespect for US sovereignty. Source: Senate Statement on the United Nations and US Policy , Mar 9, 1998

Voted NO on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons.

Vote to table [kill] an amendment that would require sanctions against China or other countries if they were found to be selling illicit weapons of mass destruction. Reference: Bill HR.4444 ; vote number 2000-242 on Sep 13, 2000

Voted YES on capping foreign aid at only $12.7 billion.

Adoption of the conference report on the 2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill provided $12.7 billion for foreign aid programs in 2000.

Vetoed by President Clinton

Veto message of 10/18/1999: W cannot protect American interests at home without active engagement abroad. We must lead in the world, working with other nations to defuse crises, repel dangers, promote more open economic and political systems, and strengthen the rule of law. This bill rejects all of those principles.

The overall funding provided by H.R. 2606 is inadequate. By denying America a decent investment in diplomacy, this bill suggests we should meet threats to our security with our military might alone. That is a dangerous proposition. For if we underfund our diplomacy, we will end up overusing our military.

For example, A generation from now, no one is going to say we did too much to help the nations of the former Soviet Union safeguard their nuclear technology and expertise. If the funding cuts in this bill were to become law, future generations would certainly say we did too little and that we imperiled our future in the process.
Status: Conf Rpt Agreed to Y)51; N)49

Reference: H.R. 2606 Conference Report; Bill H.R. 2606 ; vote number 1999-312 on Oct 6, 1999

Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions.

To kill a proposal limiting President Clinton's ability to impose economic sanctions on foreign nations.
Status: Motion to Table Agreed to Y)53; N)46; NV)1 Reference: Motion to table the Lugar Amdt #3156.; Bill S. 2159 ; vote number 1998-201 on Jul 15, 1998

Voted YES on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech.

This amendment would have limited NATO Expansion to only include Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Status: Amdt Rejected Y)41; N)59 Reference: NATO Expansion limit-Warner Amdt. #2322; Bill NATO Expansion Treaty #105-36 ; vote number 1998-112 on Apr 30, 1998

Voted NO on $17.9 billion to IMF.

Would provide $17.9 billion for the International Monetary Fund.
Status: Amdt Agreed to Y)84; N)16 Reference: McConnell Amdt #2100; Bill S. 1768 ; vote number 1998-44 on Mar 26, 1998

Voted YES on Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba.

Strengthening of the trade embargo against Cuba.
Status: Conf Rpt Agreed to Y)74; N)22; NV)4 Reference: Conference Report on H.R. 927; Bill H.R. 927 ; vote number 1996-22 on Mar 5, 1996

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