11


lie-was deeply divided over the controversial treaties and the. outcome of the debate was uncertain until the last moment, setting the stage for an exciting political drama. Second, the Senate debate was broadcast live to radio stations throughout the nation for the first time in history. Third, the Senate utilized the Commitee of the Whole procedure to consider the treaties article by article for the first timle in fifty years. Fourth, the Senate, taking an expanded view of its advice and consent role, formally attached amendments to a treaty for the first time in half a century. Fifth, the debate ran for a total of 38 legislative days, making it the longest treaty debate in U.S. history except for the debate on the Treaty of Versailles after World WarI-.
 At the end of the lengthy debate on the Panama Canal treaties, in which the 'Senate had considered nearly 90 amiendmnents or reservNations and had worked its will on the treaties in detail, the final vote on both treaties was razor-close, 68 to 32, one vote more than the required two-thirds.
 The major spoke esmen for the treaties were MNajority Leader Byrd, aided by Mfajority Whip Cranston, for the Senate leadership, and the floor managers, Senators Church and Sarbanes of the Committee on Foreign Relations, assisted by Chairman Sparkmnan and other memibers of the Committee. Senator Baker, in his role as Minority Leader and as a member of the Foreigyn Relations Commnittee, also played a role, helping to fashion a procedure for amending the treaties which was acceptable to the requisite number of senators.
 Among the major opponents of thetreaties, Senator Allen was ably aided by 'Senators Laxalt, Hatch, Helms, Thurmond and Dole, with assistance f rom Minority 'Whip Stevens. ndiviclually, and as a group, these senators sought vainly to add a substantial number of amnendments to the 'two treaties. Senator Griffin. the sole dissenter on the Foreign Relations Committee, played a major role as well, demanding clarification on various points and urging repeatedly that the treaties be returned to the President for renegotiation.
 A key group of undecided senators leaning toward support for the treaties included Senators DeConcini, Ford, Long, Nunn, Talmad-e, Brooke and Cannon. While all of these senators had serious doubts about the treaties, they were willing to vote for the pacts provided that their concerns could be alleviated by reservations. It was this group of senators which offered the major reservations to the treaties, and, in thie end, they provided the necessary votes to assure passage.
 The Senate debate on the Panama Caiial -treaties began on February 8, 1978. Since the'Committee on Foreign Relations had reported the Neutrality Treaty first, that was the first order of business. This was done on thetheory that it would be necessary to guarantee permanent U.S. rights to defend the canal and to head- of-the -line passage during emergencies under the Neutrality Treaty before the 'Seiate would agree to the Panama, Canal Treaty under which the United States would relinquish control of the Canal to Panama in the year 2000.
 After initial parliamentary inquiries by Senator Allen, the openling days of the debate were devoted to general statements onl the treaties, many of which are included in Part IT of this compendium. 'Then, shortly after the Lincoln Day recess, the Senate, at Senator Dole's request, held a closed door session on February 21 for a briefing on