AFTER MORE than 10 arduous years of sacrifice and effort in Indochina, an equitable framework for peace was finally agreed to in Paris last January. This could not possibly have been achieved without the active support of Congress, especially in the last difficult years.
The President is very concerned that having persevered to success these long years, the Congress has, on the very eve of negotiations to achieve compliance with that settlement, taken action that could severely undermine prospects for SUCCESS.
It is the President's hope that as the legislative process unfolds, consideration of these matters will take place in the broader perspective of continuing negotiations.
The President, in full compliance with his constitutional responsibilities, is determined to achieve a cease-fire and withdrawal of foreign forces from Cambodia in accordance with the Paris agreements, and to secure the lasting peace in Indochina for which so many people have sacrificed so much.
Note: Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler read the statement at his news conference at the White House on May 16, 1973.
On May 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee had approved an amendment to H.R. 7447, a supplemental appropriations bill, which would prohibit the use of any funds in the bill, or subsequently appropriated, to support U.S. combat activities in Cambodia or Laos.
Richard Nixon, White House Statement About Congressional Role in Indochina Peace Efforts. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/255473