House International Relations Committee Mark-up on H.Res. 375, H.Res. 408, and H.Res. 419
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE MARK-UP OF H. RES. 375, H. RES. 408, AND H. RES. 419 -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 27, 2005)
SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2005
Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for H. Res. 375, as well as H. Res. 408 and H. Res. 419, all requesting information from the Administration regarding plans and communication leading up to the war in Iraq, as well as requesting information regarding the leak of CIA Agent Valerie Plame's name to the media. These resolutions highlight a disturbing trend within the Bush Administration to hide critical information from Congress and the American people. The President owes Americans the truth, especially when it involves the lives of our sons and daughters.
Like so many of my colleagues, and so many of my constituents in the 4th District of Minnesota, I was profoundly disturbed when I learned of the so-called Downing Street Memo in May 2005. This document details minutes of a July 2002 meeting between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his cabinet. The minutes of the meeting indicate that British officials believed President Bush had already decided to pursue war with Iraq. The minutes further appear to indicate that the Bush Administration was intentionally distorting intelligence information to justify the case for invading Iraq.
Concern by Congress and the American people regarding the Downing Street Memo have escalated since first reported. Earlier this year, over ninety Members of the House sent a letter to President Bush requesting a full accounting of these allegations. The President has yet to respond to this letter. However, the British government has not disputed the authenticity of the Downing Street Memo, and a former senior Bush Administration official has confirmed the accuracy of this account to the press. The failure of the Administration to address these concerns and to adequately investigate the leak of an undercover CIA agent's name to the media is obstructionist. This is a meter of accountability and transparency, and I support all three of these resolutions.
While all Americans stand united in support of our troops, President Bush has offered no plan for success in Iraq. In fact, most Americans now agree that the President's complete mishandling of the war in Iraq has transformed Iraq into a terrorist haven and made our own nation less safe. As a member of the minority party in Congress, I will continue to hold the Bush Administration accountable for the flawed and dangerous policy in Iraq.
H. Res. 375, H. Res. 408, and H. Res. 419 should be favorably reported out of the House International Relations Committee, and the citizens of this country should finally be told the truth by this Administration.
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