"This bill is a very important step toward a solution to the dollar-shortage problem, the sterling problem and the continuation of our own prosperity," declared Georgia's studious Walter George. "If we do not make every effort to [maintain export trade], we might as well abandon the Marshall Plan and stop wasting our money." After seven days of debate, the Senate was facing a vote on extension of the reciprocal-trade program.
Actually, only a few Senators were opposed to the bill itself. Their case was sketchily made by Nevada's George Malone, who waved a...