McGovern–Hatfield Amendment
The McGovern–Hatfield Amendment was a proposed amendment to an appropriations bill in 1970 during the Vietnam War that, if passed, would have required the end of United States military operations in the Republic of Vietnam by December 31, 1970, and a complete withdrawal of American forces halfway through the next year. It was the most outstanding defiance of executive power regarding the war prior to 1971. The amendment was proposed by Senators George McGovern of South Dakota and Mark Hatfield of Oregon, and was known as the "amendment to end the war."
The amendment was heavily opposed by the administration of President Richard Nixon. A revision of the amendment intended to gain more widespread support extended the deadline for withdrawal to the end of 1971. Nevertheless, the amendment was opposed by Nixon and his backers in the Congress, who argued that a withdrawal deadline would devastate the American position in negotiations with North Vietnam. On September 1, 1970, the amendment failed by a 55–39 margin.
A second version of the amendment was reintroduced in 1971 with only minor revisions. In light of Nixon's interventions in Cambodia and Laos the year prior, public and Congressional enthusiasm for the legislation indicated the 1971 amendment could fare better than the original. McGovern, along with Senate allies, appeared on nationwide broadcasts and at protests to lobby for the amendment's passage. Ultimately, the 1971 revised amendment would be defeated by a margin of 55–42, gaining three additional sponsors.
McGovern's speech
Minutes before the voting began, McGovern appealed for support with the strongest and most emotional language he had ever used regarding the war:According to historian Robert Mann, McGovern's brief, passionate speech shocked his Senate colleagues. As McGovern took his seat, most senators sat in stunned silence. "You could have heard a pin drop," recalled John Holum, McGovern's principal staff advisor on Vietnam. As the Senate prepared to begin voting on the amendment, one senator approached McGovern and indignantly told him that he had been personally offended by the speech. McGovern replied, "That's what I meant to do."
Text of the amendment
McGovern–Hatfield Amendment, H.R. 17123In accordance with public statements of policy by the President, no funds authorized by this or any other act may be obligated or expended to maintain a troop level of more than 280,000 armed forces of the United States in Vietnam after April 30, 1971.
After April 30, 1971, funds herein authorized or hereafter appropriated may be expended in connection with activities of American Armed Forces in and over Indochina only to accomplish the following objectives:
1970 Amendment Vote Total
Six Senators did not vote, but all made clear their feelings regarding the legislation. Democratic Senators Russell Long of Louisiana, Howard Cannon of Nevada, and Clinton Anderson of New Mexico expressed they opposed the amendment, while Frank Moss of Utah said he would have voted in favor.On the Republican side of the aisle, Robert Packwood of Oregon was recorded as being against the amendment, as well as Karl Mundt of South Dakota.