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George Aiken (R-Vermont), 19 Oct. 1966. Speaker John McCormack : My thought would be that you and I and Passman and whoever you wanted in from the [State] Department would get together down at the White House. President Kennedy : Right, right.
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Speaker John McCormack: My thought would be that you and I and Passman and whoever you wanted in from the [State] Department would get together down at the White House. President Kennedy: Right, right. McCormack: And it doesn’t actually [have to] be at the White House. President Kennedy: Right, right. McCormack: I think the psychological effect, don’t you see? President Kennedy: Right. I don’t know what my psychology would be these days on Otto, but . . . ------------------- President Johnson (to Speaker McCormack): Now, I don’t think this man knows much about our country, and notwithstanding his great facility with figures, I think he’s got a real mental problem. That’s what I think. [Break.] President Johnson: I just—As far as I’m concerned, I don’t want Mr. Passman providing protection for my children, because I don’t think in the swamps of Louisiana, he’s got that much information or knowledge or wisdom.
Hickenlooper amendment (1962) The President shall suspend assistance to the government of any country to which assistance is provided under this chapter or any other Act when the government of such country or any government agency or subdivision within such country on or after January 1, 1962-- has nationalized or expropriated or seized ownership or control of property owned by any United States citizen or by any corporation, partnership, or association not less than 50 per centum beneficially owned by United States citizens, or has taken steps to repudiate or nullify existing contracts or agreements with any United States citizen or any corporation, partnership, or association not less than 50 per centum beneficially owned by United States citizens, or has imposed or enforced discriminatory taxes or other exactions, or restrictive maintenance or operational conditions, or has taken other actions, which have the effect of nationalizing, expropriating, or otherwise seizing ownership or control of property so owned.
Morse amendment (1963) Terminates all Alliance for Progress aid to “any country in which the government . . . has come to power as the result of a forceable overthrow of a prior government which has been chosen in free and democratic elections.”
“It seems to me most essential that we make crystal clear to the Vietnamese government and to our own people that while we will go to great lengths to help, the primary responsibility rests with the Vietnamese. Our role is and must remain secondary in present circumstances. It is their country, their future which is most at stake, not ours.”
“Unless the government of South Vietnam abandons policies of repression against its own people and makes a determined and effective effort to regain their support, military and economic assistance to that government should not be continued.”
“I am really not very well- informed about this area . . . It would seem to be very interesting if I knew something about it.” --Hubert Humphrey “I never heard the least suggestion of any kind of a conflict between the religions in Vietnam . . . [and wonder] whether [Buddhist protesters] were subject to drugs or other dulling or deadening devices, hypnosis or other types of human control.” --Bourke Hickenlooper
“No assistance shall be provided under this or any other act, and no sales shall be made under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, to any country which the President determines is engaging in or preparing for aggressive military efforts directed against the United States (or) any country receiving assistance under this or any other act, (or) any country to which sales are made under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, until the President determines that such military efforts or preparations have ceased and he reports to the Congress that he has received assurances satisfactory to him that such military efforts or preparations will not be renewed. This restriction may not be waived pursuant to any authority contained in this act.”
Albert Thomas: Have you got the language in front of you? President Johnson: Yes, sir, I’ve got it front of me. And it oughtn’t to be in there. It’s just a damn— Thomas: [hurriedly reading] “Agency or national in connection with the purchase . . . [etc.].” President Johnson: That’s right. Thomas: “Or national except when the President determines that such guarantees would be in the national interest.” President Johnson: That’s all right—period. Thomas: “And reports each”— President Johnson: No, no! No! Period, after “national interest.” Thomas: I know, but read your language further. “And reports each determination.” President Johnson: [loudly] Why should I want to report to everybody that I screwed a girl? You screwed one last night, but you don’t want to report it. Thomas: [slyly] I wish I did. President Johnson: Well, you know what I’m talking about. That made it come home to you, didn’t it? Thomas: Well, it ain’t going to— President Johnson: Well, don’t you think I’m a damned idiot, now. Thomas: Now, now— President Johnson: Well— Thomas: Now, now, now, now. Of course not. But I don’t think it’s going to hamstring you a bit on— President Johnson: It doesn’t hamstring me. It just publicizes that I’m pro-Russian right when [Richard] Nixon’s running against me.
