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“Foreign Policy (Executive Session)” mentioning Patrick J. Leahy was published in the Senate section on page S2188 on April 26.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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The publication is reproduced in full below:
Foreign Policy
Madam President, now, on one final matter, the last few months have given the world a glimpse at what is driving the foreign policy decisions under the Biden administration. First came a rush to rejoin a climate agreement that does not effectively hold our competitors to their own commitments.
Then, just weeks ago, there was the announcement of a total abandonment of Afghanistan that will squander our leverage to promote a diplomatic end to the civil war, put innocent Afghans at risk, roll out a red carpet for the Taliban, and embolden the terrorists.
Even this administration's own intelligence chiefs and our military commanders are concerned about how we will stay a step ahead of terrorists in the region without access provided by our U.S. footprint.
Late last week, we got a further peek at the incredible wishful thinking behind this policy. As reported in the New York Times, some Biden officials suggest the Taliban ``might govern less harshly . . . in order to win recognition and financial support.''
The Secretary of State--America's top diplomat--seems to think it is that simple. He expressed hope that ``civilian and economic assistance'' could ``advance a just and durable peace . . . and a brighter future for the Afghan people.''
The Deputy National Security Advisor was more dismissive of the Afghan people's plight, morally equating our Afghan partners and the Taliban as just ``two Afghan parties'' in a conflict.
I do not believe Afghan women and girls are jumping for joy at the prospect of a Taliban takeover. In fact, as one of the New York Times headlines put it, ``Afghan Women Fear the Worst''--``Afghan Women Fear the Worst.''
I certainly do not believe the Taliban will abandon their brutal fundamentalist ways just to secure recognition from the Western powers that they despise.
Speaking of women's rights, over the weekend, the United Nations chose to further degrade its legitimacy by inviting Iran, of all countries, to join its Commission on the Status of Women. The U.N. chose to further degrade its legitimacy by inviting Iran to join its Commission on the Status of Women.
Yes, you heard that right. The panel claiming principal international authority over the empowerment of women will now include a nation whose police are empowered to beat and assault women for improper veiling--a nation that turns a blind eye to pervasive domestic violence, forced marriage, and rape.
And it is not just the U.N. that seems to be going soft on Tehran. The Biden administration seems willing--if not desperate--to provide sanctions relief up front, squandering leverage, just to reenter President Obama's flawed nuclear deal.
This sanctions relief would benefit a regime that is being run by the extremist Islamic Revolutionary Guards. That is what Iran's own Foreign Minister admitted in leaked documents. That is who is running the show--the same terrorists who were used by Soleimani to spread violence across the region, before the prior administration removed him permanently.
Republicans are not opposed to nuclear diplomacy, but we know that preemptive concessions will not secure a better deal or make America or our allies more secure.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. DUCKWORTH). Without objection, it is so ordered.
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