Providing for Consideration of H.Res. 571, Expressing Sense of House that Deployment of Forces in Iraq be Terminated Immediately

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 571, EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE THAT DEPLOYMENT OF FORCES IN IRAQ BE TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY -- (House of Representatives - November 18, 2005)

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Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, as the very proud representative of the city of San Francisco in the Congress of the United States, from northern California where we have more veterans than any other part of the country per capita and we treat them with respect as the gentleman from Pennsylvania is not being treated as a distinguished veteran with respect here.

Mr. Speaker, this is a very sad day for the House of Representatives. Just when you think you have seen it all, the Republicans have stooped to a new low, even for them. They have engaged in an act of deception that undermines any shred of dignity that might be left in this Republican Congress. But deception has been the order of the day throughout the entire Iraq engagement.

Mr. Hunter's resolution is a continuation of that deception. It is a political stunt, and it should be rejected by this House.

The Republican deception today is a disgrace. It is a disservice to our country and to our men and women in uniform. They and the American people deserve better. It is an insult to the integrity of JACK MURTHA, one of the most distinguished Members to ever serve in this House of Representatives.

As has been said, JACK MURTHA is a decorated war veteran: two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star for his combat service, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, 37 years of active and reserve duty in the marines. His lifetime motto has been Semper Fi; and yet our Republican colleagues call him a coward and accuse him of cooperating with the enemy.

As a senior Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Committee, he is known and respected for his bipartisanship. That is why this Republican attack on him is so dishonest.

Mr. Murtha has dealt the mighty blow of truth to the President's failed Iraq policy. The American people have rallied to JACK MURTHA's message of truth. But you cannot handle the truth. Why are the Republicans so afraid of the facts?

Mr. Speaker, the Republican Senator from Ohio, Robert Taft, who would become the Republican leader of the Senate said, ``Criticism in a time of war is essential to the maintenance of any democratic government.'' Indeed, Mr. Murtha's courageous action to speak truth to power is a great act of patriotism.

As one who has always had the interests of America's men and women in uniform as his top priority, Mr. Murtha has acted as he always does: in their interests. Let us all join him in saluting our troops for their courage, their patriotism, and the sacrifice that they are willing to make, and thank JACK MURTHA for his loyalty to them.

Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, in closing, it is important to restate for the morale of our troops that this Congress and this country remain resolved in the war against terrorism. From the streets of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, America will leave no spider hole, no palace, no bunker overlooked as we help freedom-loving people fight the terrorist insurgencies of Islamofascists and protect democracy worldwide.

Our greatest loss would be to withdraw our troops, thereby ceding victory to cowardly terrorists who murder and hide under the cover of shadows.

Mr. Speaker, over 2,000 of our best and bravest have fought and sacrificed their lives in defense of democracy and in the face of these terrorists. These individuals deserve our thanks and their families need to know that they did not die in vain.

Mr. Speaker, a lot of words have been thrown about in this Chamber tonight, but talk is often cheap. And while cheap talk abounds, unfortunately, cheap talk is not bounded, it is not insulated by oceans or mountains, and certainly not by the media.

The words of this Congress and its Members echo out beyond this hallowed Chamber, beyond these hallowed Halls to every household and to every foreign shore.

Our troops are listening, Mr. Speaker. They hear those who denigrate their mission. They hear those who rely on the false pillar of semantics, seeking to divide the American people.

Well, Mr. Speaker, our troops are listening tonight, and while talk is cheap, our vote is sacrosanct. So I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put their vote on the RECORD and put the rhetoric aside.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the rule. Let us have this debate for the sake of our troops.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

The previous question was ordered.

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