Clinton Vetoes Bill With CWC Provision

June/July 1998

On June 23, President Bill Clinton vetoed the Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act of 1998 (H.R. 2709), to which implementing legislation for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) had been attached. (See page 26.) The failure by Congress to approve the implementing legislation leaves the U.S. in technical noncompliance with the CWC.

Clinton called on Congress to pass a free-standing version of the CWC implementing legislation. Until such legislation is passed, the United States cannot carry out its treaty obligations to declare CWC-related activities at U.S. commercial facilities.