Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I rise today in support of a resolution my good friend and colleague Senator Inhofe has just introduced regarding Presidential authority over setting American foreign policy. Like all of my colleagues, I have the right to visit foreign countries in my capacity as a Member of Congress. However, the Constitution is quite clear about the separation of powers between the Legislative and Executive branches of our government, and the Executive Branch has the exclusive authority to conduct negotiations with foreign countries.
As we all know, the Logan Act prohibits American citizens from negotiating with foreign governments without the authority of the United States. What would it mean if a Member of the House or Senate, and especially a member of the Leadership, was to visit a foreign country and in discussions with their government, explicitly speak out against our nation's foreign policy agenda? High ranking Members of Congress, I believe, are seen by foreign governments as carrying an official message of foreign policy, and if such members contradict the Administration, it can be very damaging to our country politically and diplomatically.
Members of Congress have the ability to express their dissent from the floor of their respective chambers, but under no circumstances should Members visit with foreign governments for the sole purpose of demonstrating their opposition to the Administration's foreign policy. Such actions would show a sincere lack of respect for the boundaries drawn out by our Constitution, and I would hope that all Members of Congress will use good judgment when visiting with foreign governments in the future.
It is a very dangerous precedent to set if Members of Congress decide to buck the American foreign policy agenda and carry mixed messages to foreign governments, especially foreign governments hostile to our country. While I will continue to support Congressional rights to travel abroad and meet with government officials, there is a responsibility that comes along with those visits, and that responsibility is to uphold and support the Administration's foreign policy agenda.
Mr. President, for this reason I have joined my colleague Senator Inhofe in introducing this resolution. I believe it sends a clear and strong message that Members of Congress have the responsibility to defer to and support the Administration on setting our nation's foreign policy agenda, and under no circumstances should Members blatantly defy our Administration for purely political gain.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.