Fact
ba
.
se
Senate Floor: EXECUTIVE SESSION
Topics
Entities
Moderation
4 Speakers
Topics
No topics found
Entities
No entities found
Moderation
No moderation found
Speakers
Patrick Leahy Patrick Leahy said 92 sentences of a total of 204 sentences.
46%
Patrick Leahy said 1704 words of a total of 3540 words.
49%
Joe Biden Joe Biden said 98 sentences of a total of 204 sentences.
49%
Joe Biden said 1612 words of a total of 3540 words.
46%
Orrin Hatch Orrin Hatch said 4 sentences of a total of 204 sentences.
2%
Orrin Hatch said 129 words of a total of 3540 words.
4%
The Presiding Officer The Presiding Officer said 7 sentences of a total of 204 sentences.
4%
The Presiding Officer said 41 words of a total of 3540 words.
2%
Full Transcript
Orrin Hatch
I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following treaty on today's Executive Calendar: No. 2. I further ask unanimous consent that the treaty be considered as having passed through its various parliamentary stages up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification; that all committee provisos, reservations, understandings, declarations be considered agreed to; that any statements be printed in the Congressional Record as if read; I further ask consent that when the resolution of ratification is voted upon the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table; the President be notified of the Senate's action and that following the disposition of the treaty, the Senate return to legislative session.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.625
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.625
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.34993
VADER
0.557
Very Positive
Moderation
Violence
0.017218398
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual
0.0098041986
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Violence > Graphic
0.0083134859
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual > Minors
0.0011125713
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment > Threatening
0.0003771201
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm
0.0002728317
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment
0.0001935576
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate
0.000108576
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Intent
3.37673E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Instructions
5.1896E-6
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate > Threatening
4.0727E-6
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Topics
Topic:
International Affairs
Score:
39.91
Magnitude:
117
Code:
19
Url:
https://fsc.al/cap-mc#19
Source:
Comparative Agendas
Topic:
International Affairs
Score:
22.739
Magnitude:
117
Code:
19
Url:
https://fsc.al/cap-mc#19
Source:
Comparative Agendas
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
4.2
Gunning-Fog Score
19
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
8.1
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
46
Sprache Difficult Word Count
41
The Presiding Officer
The PRESIDING OFFICER.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.60944
VADER
0
Neutral
Moderation
Violence
0.075188902
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Violence > Graphic
0.0073891257
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment
0.0011172229
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate
0.0006458459
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment > Threatening
0.000358819
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual
0.000130951
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm
7.28585E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Intent
6.42952E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual > Minors
6.12878E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate > Threatening
2.46415E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Instructions
4.515E-7
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Topics
Topic:
International Affairs
Score:
43.367
Magnitude:
24
Code:
19
Url:
https://fsc.al/cap-mc#19
Source:
Comparative Agendas
Topic:
International Affairs
Score:
43.232
Magnitude:
24
Code:
19
Url:
https://fsc.al/cap-mc#19
Source:
Comparative Agendas
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
8.5
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
42.5
Gunning-Fog Score
6.2
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
10.3
Automated Readability Index
5.9
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.5
Sprache Readability Score
1.5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
3
Sprache Difficult Word Count
4
The treaty will be considered to have passed through its various parliamentary stages up to and including the presentation of the resolution of ratification.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.94591
VADER
0
Neutral
Moderation
Violence
0.3948843107
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Violence > Graphic
0.1474776189
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment
0.0097544107
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment > Threatening
0.0055428634
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual
0.0015099356
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate
0.0009244191
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm
0.000156927
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate > Threatening
0.0001097086
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual > Minors
9.68511E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Intent
3.63914E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Instructions
1.1606E-6
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
16.8
Gunning-Fog Score
19
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.1
Sprache Readability Score
4.4
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
9
Sprache Difficult Word Count
10
The resolution of ratification is as follows:
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.09861
VADER
0
Neutral
Moderation
Violence
2.7347631752
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment
0.2770872088
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Violence > Graphic
0.0810063153
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Harassment > Threatening
0.0730116793
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate
0.0165685313
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Hate > Threatening
0.0009417897
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm
0.0006705277
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Intent
0.0004266475
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual > Minors
0.0001334898
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Sexual
7.51976E-5
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Self-Harm > Instructions
8.3597E-6
OpenAI Moderation v1 (007)
Topics
Topic:
International Affairs
Score:
83.846
Magnitude:
68
Code:
19
Url:
https://fsc.al/cap-mc#19
Source:
Comparative Agendas
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
18.4
Gunning-Fog Score
14.2
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
11.3
Automated Readability Index
7.6
Dale-Chall Readability Score
4.9
Sprache Readability Score
1.7
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
2
Sprache Difficult Word Count
2
Joe Biden
Mr. President, I am very pleased to speak today in support giving the Senate's advice and consent to ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol to the Convention on Conventional Weapons. This amended protocol was adopted on May 3, 1996, and submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification on January 7, 1997. The Foreign Relations Committee approved this resolution of ratification on March 23 of this year, with no dissents.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.4
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.4
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.76214
VADER
0.83
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
11.6
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
44.6
Gunning-Fog Score
11.7
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
10.3
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7
Sprache Readability Score
4.8
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
28
Sprache Difficult Word Count
24
Joe Biden
While this is not as big an issue as NATO enlargement or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty, ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol will be a real achievement. Its enactment is a further demonstration that the Senate and its Foreign Relations Committee can, in fact, reach agreement upon treaties that deal with difficult issues.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.51083
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.25
Slightly Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.25
Slightly Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.45199
VADER
0.494
Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
32.8
Gunning-Fog Score
16.1
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.4
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
21
Sprache Difficult Word Count
22
Joe Biden
My colleagues are well aware of the humanitarian crisis that has developed in the world as a result of the millions of unexploded land mines left from the last generation of wars in the world. The United States is a leader in humanitarian de-mining efforts, and we have all supported those efforts. But a few examples may help explain to the public why the issue of land mines is of such deep concern.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.37949
VADER
0.052
Neutral
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
52.6
Gunning-Fog Score
14.7
Coleman-Liau Index
10
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
11.5
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.1
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
18
Sprache Difficult Word Count
20
Joe Biden
In April 1996, Newsweek magazine wrote about one victim of land mines as follows:
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-1.09861
VADER
-0.273
Slightly Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
6.7
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
71.8
Gunning-Fog Score
8.5
Coleman-Liau Index
10.3
SMOG Index
9
Automated Readability Index
6.4
Dale-Chall Readability Score
4.1
Sprache Readability Score
2.8
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
3
Sprache Difficult Word Count
5
Joe Biden
Land mines were also the major cause of casualties for NATO forces in Bosnia. Yet Bosnia is hardly the only land where this occurs.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-1.94591
VADER
0
Neutral
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
7.8
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
60.7
Gunning-Fog Score
6.5
Coleman-Liau Index
10.2
SMOG Index
10.3
Automated Readability Index
5.4
Dale-Chall Readability Score
4.5
Sprache Readability Score
2.7
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
6
Sprache Difficult Word Count
7
Joe Biden
A Washington Times article of June 10, 1997, reported: "The land mines are strewn so widely in the jungles along the cease-fire zones between Ecuador and Peru that when peacekeepers kick a soccer ball out of their compound, it stays there." Last year, in the wake of Hurricane Mitch, still more innocent people fell victim to land mines left over from the civil war in Nicaragua.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.94591
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.42857
Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.42857
Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.78846
VADER
-0.187
Leans Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
51.6
Gunning-Fog Score
15.8
Coleman-Liau Index
10.3
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.4
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
20
Sprache Difficult Word Count
20
Joe Biden
The catalogue of countries ravaged by land mines -- long after the end of the wars in which those mines were laid -- goes on and on: Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique, Vietnam. It was the need to put an end to these seemingly endless post-war tragedies that motivated both the Administration and the Foreign Relations Committee to recommend ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.81818
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.81818
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-1.94591
VADER
-0.317
Somewhat Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
31.2
Gunning-Fog Score
16.4
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.3
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
19
Sprache Difficult Word Count
20
Joe Biden
The new Protocol is not a complete ban on anti-personnel land mines. Many of us regret that the United States is not in a position to sign and ratify the Ottawa Convention that institutes such a ban. The Amended Mines Protocol is supported, however, by several mine-producing or mine-using powers that would not sign the Ottawa Convention.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.51083
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.36772
VADER
-0.138
Leans Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
11.5
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
48.4
Gunning-Fog Score
13.3
Coleman-Liau Index
11.2
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
10.2
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.5
Sprache Readability Score
4.6
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
21
Sprache Difficult Word Count
19
Joe Biden
It is a sad fact of life that countries with fortified borders are not yet willing to do without land mines. By adhering to this Protocol, they will save many innocent lives while we work to make a world-wide ban feasible for all countries.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.55556
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.55556
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.09861
VADER
-0.273
Slightly Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.2
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
69.3
Gunning-Fog Score
12.6
Coleman-Liau Index
9.4
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
10
Dale-Chall Readability Score
3.6
Sprache Readability Score
4.1
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
7
Sprache Difficult Word Count
9
Joe Biden
The new Protocol bans mines that are designed to be exploded by the presence of a mine detector, and it requires anti-personnel mines to be detectable. These provisions will greatly aid mine-clearing efforts in future wars.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.75
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.75
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-1.60944
VADER
-0.557
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
10.1
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
56.2
Gunning-Fog Score
12.9
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
10.8
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.2
Sprache Readability Score
4.3
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
15
Sprache Difficult Word Count
16
Joe Biden
The Protocol severely limits the use of land mines unless they are both self-destructing within 30 days and self-deactivating within 120 days (in case the self-destruct mechanism should fail). Adherence to these provisions should end the senseless post-war slaughter inflicted by so many mines today.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-2.3979
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.63636
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.63636
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-1.335
VADER
-0.459
Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
52.5
Gunning-Fog Score
16.3
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
15
Sprache Difficult Word Count
17
Joe Biden
The Protocol establishes an obligation to clean up minefields after wars have ended. You might think that this was an obvious duty, but countries have often failed to clean up their lethal mess.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.14286
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.14286
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.25131
VADER
-0.681
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.4
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
56.8
Gunning-Fog Score
11.4
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
9.5
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.1
Sprache Readability Score
3.5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
9
Sprache Difficult Word Count
10
Joe Biden
Finally, the new Protocol applies to civil wars, as well as international ones. This is a desperately needed provision, as so many of the worst land mine disasters have been the result of civil wars. The Amended Mines Protocol is the first protocol of the Convention on Conventional Weapons to be applied to civil wars, and this is an important achievement that is in keeping with U.S. policy and practices.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.51083
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.37949
VADER
-0.969
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.2
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
54.2
Gunning-Fog Score
10.8
Coleman-Liau Index
11.5
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
7.5
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.4
Sprache Readability Score
3.9
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
21
Sprache Difficult Word Count
19
Joe Biden
These provisions will go a long way, if adopted and fully implemented by the major mine users and producers, to curtail Future humanitarian crises due to land mines. The amended Protocol specifically meets concerns that the Senate articulated in 1995, when we gave our advice and consent to ratification of the original Mines Protocol and the underlying Convention on Conventional Weapons. For all these reasons, the Amended Mines Protocol deserves our wholehearted support.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.94591
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.1431
VADER
0.459
Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
24.5
Gunning-Fog Score
16.3
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.3
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
28
Sprache Difficult Word Count
30
Joe Biden
Bringing the Amended Mines Protocol to the Senate floor has required us to reconcile sharply differing and strongly held views regarding the utility and morality of using anti-personnel mines that meet the standards of the Amended Mines Protocol. We owe a debt of gratitude to our colleagues who agreed to accept resolution provisions and report language that safeguarded each other's positions on the broader land mine issues.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.26316
Slightly Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.26316
Slightly Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.51083
VADER
0.844
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
23
Gunning-Fog Score
19
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
8.7
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
30
Sprache Difficult Word Count
32
Joe Biden
One colleague who put the lives of innocent civilians ahead of his personal policy preferences is our esteemed Chairman, Senator Helms of North Carolina. Senator Helms has stated that anti-personnel mines are essential to the U.S. Armed Forces and that a ban on such weapons would needlessly place U.S. forces at risk.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.94591
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.11111
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.11111
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.20067
VADER
-0.511
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
7.1
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
60.6
Gunning-Fog Score
10.2
Coleman-Liau Index
11.9
SMOG Index
11
Automated Readability Index
5.3
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.1
Sprache Readability Score
3.7
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
23
Sprache Difficult Word Count
23
Joe Biden
The Amended Mines Protocol does not pre-judge, however, the question of U.S. adherence to the Ottawa Convention. Both supporters and opponents of that treaty can support the Protocol's limits on the use of anti-personnel land mines by those countries that retain them.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.09091
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.09091
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.16705
VADER
0.681
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
7.7
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
60.1
Gunning-Fog Score
8.9
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
7
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.8
Sprache Readability Score
3.5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
15
Sprache Difficult Word Count
18
Joe Biden
Adherence to the amended Protocol will not require any adjustment of U.S. military weaponry or tactics, moreover. Rather, it will make other countries meet standards that we already have achieved. U.S. military leaders want this Protocol to succeed, because it will save the lives of U.S. service men and women.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.8
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.8
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.84583
VADER
0.7
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
6.5
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
58.8
Gunning-Fog Score
7.6
Coleman-Liau Index
11.9
SMOG Index
9.3
Automated Readability Index
3.7
Dale-Chall Readability Score
4.5
Sprache Readability Score
2.7
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
14
Sprache Difficult Word Count
16
Joe Biden
In the interests of securing ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol, Senator Helms agreed to several major changes in the resolution of ratification, both last year and again this year, to remove from that resolution any language that would jeopardize this effort by pre-judging the broader land mine questions in his favor. He also issued a Committee report this year that omitted extensive material on land mines and the Ottawa Convention, thus minimizing any unintended affront to colleagues who favor a complete ban on anti- personnel mines.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-2.3979
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.14286
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.14286
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.26826
VADER
0.599
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
7.4
Gunning-Fog Score
19
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.9
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
32
Sprache Difficult Word Count
36
Joe Biden
Another colleague who has put other people's lives ahead of his own views is Senator Leahy of Vermont. Senator Leahy has said many times in this chamber that the United States should adhere to the Ottawa Convention as soon as possible. He has sponsored successful legislation to fund the search for land mine alternatives, and he has an understandable interest in ensuring the effectiveness of that search.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.75
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.75
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.60944
VADER
0.893
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
44
Gunning-Fog Score
14.3
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.1
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
21
Sprache Difficult Word Count
25
Joe Biden
Senator Leahy is in an interesting position, however: he actually helped to bring about the Amended Mines Protocol. Although he favors a world-wide ban on anti-personnel mines, Senator Leahy has stated that he also considers the Amended Mines Protocol an improvement over the existing Protocol.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0.51083
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.27273
Slightly Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.27273
Slightly Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.51083
VADER
0.477
Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
22.8
Gunning-Fog Score
16.2
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.9
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
20
Sprache Difficult Word Count
18
Joe Biden
Senator Leahy agreed not to seek to amend this resolution of ratification, even though he opposes some of its provisions. For example, the resolution will preserve the Pursuit Deterrent Munition until January 1, 2003, even though the U.S. military found that this weapon was too heavy to be of great use to U.S. personnel.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.51083
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.58779
VADER
0.735
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
7.9
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
55.4
Gunning-Fog Score
9.4
Coleman-Liau Index
10.9
SMOG Index
11.3
Automated Readability Index
4.6
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.3
Sprache Readability Score
3.3
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
17
Sprache Difficult Word Count
18
Joe Biden
It was not easy to bring Chairman Helms and Senator Leahy to agreement on a resolution of ratification for the Amended Mines Protocol. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and I, as well as Executive branch officials from several agencies, had to work at this beginning in 1997.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.33647
VADER
0.578
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
39
Gunning-Fog Score
16.2
Coleman-Liau Index
11.6
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.5
Sprache Readability Score
4.8
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
16
Sprache Difficult Word Count
16
Joe Biden
Chairman Helms and Senator Leahy agreed early on, however, that ratification of this Protocol was worth doing, if it could be done without prejudicing their stands on the larger issues. I am very pleased that we achieved such a resolution. I am also proud to be associated with two fine colleagues who kept their eye on the ball and arrived at an agreement.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0.51083
Harvard-IV (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
2.94444
VADER
0.93
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
11.3
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
51.2
Gunning-Fog Score
12.8
Coleman-Liau Index
11.2
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
10.7
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.3
Sprache Readability Score
4.8
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
17
Sprache Difficult Word Count
19
Joe Biden
I want to recognize some of the staff members who have labored so hard to bring about successful U.S. ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol. Marshall Billingslea and Edward Levine of the Foreign Relations Committee staff have kept at this for over a year and a half, framing the issues and enabling Chairman Helms and me to reconcile our own differences as well as those between the Chairman and Senator Leahy.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0
VADER
0.735
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.9
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
55.8
Gunning-Fog Score
10.5
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
9.8
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.2
Sprache Readability Score
4.8
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
24
Sprache Difficult Word Count
24
Joe Biden
Senator Hagel's staff also played a major role in reconciling those differences, especially in the early stages. Tim Rieser of the Senate Appropriations Committee staff ably served Senator Leahy in crafting language that would not subvert the cause of eventual land mine abolition.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.14286
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.14286
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.25131
VADER
0.34
Somewhat Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
27.6
Gunning-Fog Score
13.3
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
8.8
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
21
Sprache Difficult Word Count
23
Joe Biden
Two State Department lawyers deserve special recognition for their roles. The Principal Deputy Legal Adviser, Michael J. Matheson, was instrumental in the negotiation of the Amended Mines Protocol and in explaining to the Senate its legal intricacies.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.71429
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.71429
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
1.46634
VADER
0.572
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
27.4
Gunning-Fog Score
12.5
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
11.5
Dale-Chall Readability Score
8.3
Sprache Readability Score
3.7
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
18
Sprache Difficult Word Count
19
Joe Biden
Steve Solomon, an attorney in the office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Political-Military Affairs, was tireless and expert in explaining why U.S. ratification is in our national interest. Time and again, Mr. Solomon kept us on track toward reasonable solutions. Without the assistance of those fine civil servants, we would not be ratifying this Protocol today.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
3.04452
VADER
0.718
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.6
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
43.4
Gunning-Fog Score
10.7
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
7.4
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.9
Sprache Readability Score
3.8
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
24
Sprache Difficult Word Count
24
Joe Biden
In closing, Mr. President, I want to emphasize that U.S. ratification of the Amended Mines Protocol is an action of which all Senator can feel proud. It will save innocent lives. It will reaffirm U.S. leadership in codifying the laws of war. Irrespective of whether we eventually renounce all anti-personnel mines, and without prejudicing that debate, the Amended Mines Protocol will serve our national interest and the interests of humanity.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.51083
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.14286
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.14286
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.26826
VADER
0.863
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
7.9
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
52.6
Gunning-Fog Score
10.4
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
11.3
Automated Readability Index
5.8
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.2
Sprache Readability Score
3.9
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
27
Sprache Difficult Word Count
27
Patrick Leahy
Mr. President, in 1981 the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) came into force. The United States was instrumental in drafting that Convention, including Protocol II which imposed modest limits on the use of landmines. The United States signed the CCW, but another 15 years elapsed before President Clinton forwarded it to the Senate for its advice and consent. The U.S. finally ratified it in 1995.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.14286
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.14286
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.25131
VADER
0.606
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
7.2
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
60.1
Gunning-Fog Score
8
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
11
Automated Readability Index
6
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.2
Sprache Readability Score
4
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
28
Sprache Difficult Word Count
27
Patrick Leahy
Protocol II, commonly known as the Mines Protocol, was, during those years, the only international agreement which explicitly dealt with the use of landmines, and it was routinely ignored -- not by the United States military, but by many other countries. And throughout that period the United States and other mine producers sold and gave away tens of millions of mines to other governments and rebel groups who used them against civilian populations. Our mines can be found today, and we are paying millions of dollars annually to help remove them and assist the victims, in some thirty countries.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.1431
VADER
0.555
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
32.1
Gunning-Fog Score
18.8
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.5
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
24
Sprache Difficult Word Count
29
Patrick Leahy
By the early 1990's, it was widely recognized that the Mines Protocol had utterly failed to protect civilians from landmines. In fact, during the previous decade, the number of civilian casualties from mines skyrocketed.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.66667
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.66667
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-1.29928
VADER
-0.095
Neutral
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
37.8
Gunning-Fog Score
15
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
11.6
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.9
Sprache Readability Score
3.7
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
13
Sprache Difficult Word Count
12
Patrick Leahy
There were many reasons for the failure of the Mines Protocol, but certainly among them was that it was riddled with loopholes, and that its rules were difficult to verify and impossible to enforce.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.94591
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.58779
VADER
-0.318
Somewhat Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
42.9
Gunning-Fog Score
18.3
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
4.9
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
7
Sprache Difficult Word Count
10
Patrick Leahy
In 1992, convinced that far stronger leadership was needed to solve the mine problem, I sponsored legislation to halt United States exports of anti-personnel mines. I did so because I felt it was wrong for the United States to contribute to the carnage caused by mines, and I believed that little would change unless the United States, by setting an example, encouraged others to act. And that is what happened. In a matter of two or three years, close to fifty governments stopped exporting mines. Today, there is a de facto global export ban in effect. Even governments that produce mines and have refused to renounce their use, including Russia and China, have publicly said that they no longer export.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.16667
Leans Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.16667
Leans Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.31015
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.29412
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.29412
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.57054
VADER
0.34
Somewhat Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.8
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
60.5
Gunning-Fog Score
12
Coleman-Liau Index
11.7
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
10.7
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.8
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
37
Sprache Difficult Word Count
39
Patrick Leahy
At the same time that I was sponsoring legislation in Congress, I was also aware that ten years had elapsed since the Mines Protocol had come into force and that any party could request the United Nations to sponsor a CCW review conference. I saw this as an opportunity to strengthen the Protocol and to consider banning anti-personnel mines altogether. Since the U.S. was not a party, I and others urged the French Government to request the conference. By the time the review conference opened in late 1995, the United States had ratified the CCW and was able to participate fully in the negotiations.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.33647
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.38462
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.38462
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.74721
VADER
0.91
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.9
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
55.6
Gunning-Fog Score
11.6
Coleman-Liau Index
11.1
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
9
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.6
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
32
Sprache Difficult Word Count
30
Patrick Leahy
The negotiations were difficult. Despite efforts by myself, some governments, and non-governmental organizations to promote a total ban, the idea was hardly discussed. Instead, the basic premise of the original Protocol remained unchanged -- that mines are legitimate weapons of war. To its credit, the Clinton Administration made some constructive proposals dealing with, for example, the detectability of mines, and the Amended Protocol reflects some of those proposals. It requires all anti-personnel mines to contain enough iron to be detectable, and to either contain self-destruct/self-deactivation devices or be placed in marked and monitored minefields. It applies to internal conflicts, and also contains limits on certain transfers of anti-personnel mines.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.42857
Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.42857
Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.78846
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.08333
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.08333
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.16034
VADER
-0.785
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
32.5
Gunning-Fog Score
15
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
8
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
51
Sprache Difficult Word Count
51
Patrick Leahy
These are notable improvements, but the negotiators again failed to include effective verification or enforcement provisions. They also refused to include a U.S. proposal to apply the prohibition on non- detectable mines to anti-vehicle mines.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.1431
VADER
-0.351
Somewhat Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
11
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
32.8
Gunning-Fog Score
16.7
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
8.9
Dale-Chall Readability Score
8.1
Sprache Readability Score
3.2
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
18
Sprache Difficult Word Count
17
Patrick Leahy
Despite these significant flaws, I supported the Amended Protocol and encouraged the Administration to forward it to the Senate for its advice and consent. Indeed, I suspect that had I not sponsored the first law anywhere to halt exports of anti-personnel mines, or urged the French Government to request a review conference, there would not be an Amended Protocol.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-0.33647
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.36772
VADER
0.505
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
35.4
Gunning-Fog Score
16
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.3
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
22
Sprache Difficult Word Count
26
Patrick Leahy
Last year, after the Foreign Relations Committee reported what I and others regarded as a fatally flawed Resolution of Ratification, I refused to consent to its adoption by unanimous consent. At that time I made clear that the issue was not the Amended Protocol itself, but a Resolution and Committee Report that contained language that was extraneous, inaccurate, and provocative.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-2.19722
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.16667
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.16667
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.31015
VADER
-0.372
Somewhat Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
18.5
Gunning-Fog Score
18
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
7.5
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
23
Sprache Difficult Word Count
24
Patrick Leahy
Today we are again asked to give our consent, and this time I have, with some reluctance, agreed. I say with some reluctance, because if this Resolution and the accompanying Committee Report dealt only with the Amended Protocol there would be no disagreement. In fact, we could have adopted it six months ago. But while the Resolution and Report are far preferable to the versions we were presented last year, they also contain language that has nothing whatsoever to do with the Amended Protocol. That is because, Mr. President, a few members of the Foreign Relations Committee have tried to use this Resolution as a vehicle to attack the Ottawa Convention, governments and individuals like myself who support that Convention, and current United States policy.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.94591
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.65393
VADER
-0.153
Leans Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
44.9
Gunning-Fog Score
12.5
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.6
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
36
Sprache Difficult Word Count
37
Patrick Leahy
After reaching a stalemate last year, Senator Biden and I worked with Senator Helms to resolve our differences. While there is still language in the Resolution which is extraneous and I disagree with, and in the report which is extraneous, factually inaccurate and objectionable, it has been pared down substantially. For that I thank Senator Biden and Senator Helms and their staffs. They worked diligently to reach a result which, while not perfect, each of us can live with.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.4
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.4
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.76214
VADER
0.441
Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
11.1
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
50.8
Gunning-Fog Score
13
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
11.6
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.4
Sprache Readability Score
4.8
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
27
Sprache Difficult Word Count
21
Patrick Leahy
One of the reasons that I am consenting to this resolution is that the objectionable report language reflects the views of only some members of the Committee. In fact, much of it deals with issues which were never considered or debated by the Committee as a whole. Rather, it is based on the testimony of a handful of like-minded witnesses at a hearing that was attended by Senator Helms and only one other Member of the Committee, who was a cosponsor of my legislation to ban United States use of anti-personnel mines except in Korea.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.45455
Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.45455
Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.8873
VADER
-0.202
Slightly Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
40.6
Gunning-Fog Score
17.1
Coleman-Liau Index
10.5
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.5
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
24
Sprache Difficult Word Count
32
Patrick Leahy
In other words, to the extent that the Helms Report purports to lay down markers for future landmine policy, it is neither binding nor representative of the views of the Committee as a whole, and even less so of the United States Senate.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0
VADER
0.475
Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
37.3
Gunning-Fog Score
19
Coleman-Liau Index
10.4
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.9
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
13
Sprache Difficult Word Count
18
Patrick Leahy
While there is no need to address every objectionable phrase in the Report, two issues require a response.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0
VADER
-0.296
Slightly Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
11.8
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
42.9
Gunning-Fog Score
13.9
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
10.3
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.2
Sprache Readability Score
3.4
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
6
Sprache Difficult Word Count
7
Patrick Leahy
First, the Report states that it is the view of many members of the Committee that the United States should not agree to any prohibition on the use, production, stockpiling or transfer of short-duration anti- personnel mines. Yet the Committee never debated this issue and the views of its members, with the exception of Senator Helms, were never publicly expressed. Furthermore, and most important, some 135 countries have signed the Ottawa Convention which bans the production, use, transfer and stockpiling of anti-personnel mines, and 77 have ratified. They include every member of NATO except the United States and Turkey, and every Western Hemisphere country except the United States and Cuba. They also include many countries that have produced, used and exported mines in the past.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.07692
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.1431
VADER
0.809
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
43.2
Gunning-Fog Score
15.5
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.9
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
37
Sprache Difficult Word Count
35
Patrick Leahy
To suggest that the United States should remain outside the Convention that is widely and increasingly seen as establishing a new international norm outlawing anti-personnel mines, is inconsistent with United States policy and the interests of the United States. The Administration, including the Pentagon, has stated repeatedly and unequivocally that it will sign the Ottawa Convention when it has suitable alternatives to these weapons, and that it is aggressively searching for such alternatives.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.25
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.25
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.45199
VADER
0.637
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
6.9
Gunning-Fog Score
19
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
8
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
29
Sprache Difficult Word Count
28
Patrick Leahy
Moreover, 67 members of the Senate voted for my amendment to halt U.S. use of anti-personnel mines, for one year. And 60 Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, including every Senator who fought in combat, cosponsored legislation introduced by myself and Senator Hagel to ban U.S. use of anti-personnel mines except in Korea.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.60944
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.5
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.5
Very Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.95551
VADER
-0.807
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
8.1
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
53.8
Gunning-Fog Score
9.4
Coleman-Liau Index
11.5
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
5.1
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.4
Sprache Readability Score
3.5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
21
Sprache Difficult Word Count
21
Patrick Leahy
Second, the Report notes that the Administration hopes to negotiate a ban on exports of anti-personnel mines in the U.N. Conference on Disarmament. I believe such a strategy is fraught with problems. It is relevant here only insofar as the Helms Report states that many members of the Committee believes that in future negotiations on an export ban the Administration should differentiate between short and long-duration mines.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.94591
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.11111
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.11111
Leans Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.20067
VADER
-0.796
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.6
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
51.2
Gunning-Fog Score
10.7
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
9.3
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.7
Sprache Readability Score
4.2
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
22
Sprache Difficult Word Count
22
Patrick Leahy
Perhaps those members are unaware that five years ago the United States and Britain proposed such an "export control regime." It was rejected out of hand not only by many of our NATO allies, but by developing countries who already had stockpiled millions of long- duration mines and saw the U.S./UK proposal as an attempt to market their higher tech, higher priced mines. Any attempt by the United States to resurrect that failed approach would only further damage U.S. credibility on the mine issue.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-2.19722
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.61904
VADER
-0.681
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
8
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
60
Gunning-Fog Score
9.6
Coleman-Liau Index
11.5
SMOG Index
10.7
Automated Readability Index
6.7
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.5
Sprache Readability Score
4.5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
27
Sprache Difficult Word Count
29
Patrick Leahy
I would also refer members to the Minority views in the Report, which ably address this issue. Finally, it is notable that Senator Helms voted twice for my amendment to halt exports of antipersonnel mines, as did the then Majority Leader Robert Dole. Those amendments passed overwhelmingly, and did not differentiate between short and long- duration mines.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.33333
Somewhat Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.51083
VADER
-0.128
Leans Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
42.1
Gunning-Fog Score
13.2
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.5
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
20
Sprache Difficult Word Count
26
Patrick Leahy
Mr. President, the Amended Mines Protocol is a step forward. If adhered to it will help reduce the maiming and killing of civilians, and United States soldiers, by landmines. If its prohibition on non- detectable mines is applied to anti-vehicle mines, as the United States has proposed, that would be a significant advance.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
1
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0
VADER
0.572
Very Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
9.3
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
52.1
Gunning-Fog Score
10.6
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
8.1
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.8
Sprache Readability Score
4.2
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
21
Sprache Difficult Word Count
23
Patrick Leahy
But like its predecessor, the Amended Protocol has too many loopholes and can be easily violated. It is a far cry from what is needed to achieve the goal declared by President Clinton and adopted by the U.N. General Assembly of ridding the world of anti-personnel mines. I believe that can only occur -- as was done with poison gas and as the Ottawa Convention would do -- by stigmatizing these indiscriminate weapons. That will take far stronger United States leadership than we have seen thus far.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0.6
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0.6
Very Positive
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
-0.2
Slightly Negative
Harvard-IV (Logit)
-0.36772
VADER
-0.557
Very Negative
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
8.6
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
58.9
Gunning-Fog Score
9.9
Coleman-Liau Index
11.3
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
7.5
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.3
Sprache Readability Score
5
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
25
Sprache Difficult Word Count
31
Orrin Hatch
I ask for a division vote on the resolution of ratification.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0
VADER
0
Neutral
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
10.2
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
41.9
Gunning-Fog Score
15.3
Coleman-Liau Index
10.4
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
5.1
Dale-Chall Readability Score
4.9
Sprache Readability Score
2.3
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
3
Sprache Difficult Word Count
4
The Presiding Officer
The PRESIDING OFFICER.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
-1
Very Negative
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
-1.09861
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.2
Leans Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.33647
VADER
0.402
Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
7.9
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
49.6
Gunning-Fog Score
10.1
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
10.5
Automated Readability Index
5.6
Dale-Chall Readability Score
5.3
Sprache Readability Score
2.4
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
10
Sprache Difficult Word Count
12
On a division, two-thirds of the Senators present and voting having voted in the affirmative, the resolution of ratification is agreed to.
Sentiment
Loughran McDonald (Relative)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Absolute)
0
Neutral
Loughran McDonald (Logit)
0
Harvard-IV (Relative)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Absolute)
0.33333
Somewhat Positive
Harvard-IV (Logit)
0.51083
VADER
0.273
Slightly Positive
Readability
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
12
Flesch-Kincaid Ease
29
Gunning-Fog Score
16.2
Coleman-Liau Index
12
SMOG Index
12
Automated Readability Index
12
Dale-Chall Readability Score
6.6
Sprache Readability Score
4.2
Dale-Chall Difficult Word Score
8
Sprache Difficult Word Count
9