Providing for Consideration of H.Res. 612, Victory in Iraq Resolution
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 612, VICTORY IN IRAQ RESOLUTION -- (House of Representatives - December 16, 2005)
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Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, like the President's wishful, staged declaration of ``Mission Accomplished'' on that aircraft carrier 2 1/2 years ago, or the Vice President's declaration that the insurgency was in its ``final throes,'' this resolution proclaims the desire of Congress for ``victory'' in Iraq.
Instead of dispatching our troops in adequate numbers, this Congress made one speech after another. Instead of covering our troops with adequate, impenetrable armor, this Congress passed one paper resolution after another like this, which provided little shield from those who would do our brave men and women harm.
Well, each day's news shows how out of touch this Administration and its congressional followers continue to be. Like the administration, this Congress has no idea what victory means other than trying to escape the morass that its bad judgment got us into.
I believe that victory in Iraq, which we all desire, begins with a commitment to championing the truth. This is an administration that cannot utter ``Iraq'' without saying ``9/11,'' even though it knows there is absolutely no connection between the two.
To win a war you have to shoot straight. Our young men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan understand that, but this administration and its congressional followers demonstrate again and again that they do not--when they are discussing the real weakness of the Iraqi army or fail to do so, the strength of the insurgency, or the length our armed forces should be deployed.
They are so proud of the democratic choices made in Iraq this week and so very fearful for there to be any democratic choices on the resolution of the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and others. They fear a democratic debate in this House because their position is one of complete weakness. They have waved the white flag themselves at the possibility of a true debate in this Congress.
What we need is a genuine debate about the best pathway for our security in Iraq. The President finally conceded over 30,000 civilians have died in this invasion. We have passed 2,000 young, brave men and women in the service of America, and we are on the way to 3,000.
This administration has begun a public relations offensive when what we need is an offensive for the protection of our families. It has abandoned that in favor of a meaningless political victory, not a real plan for success for the security of our families.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I first say to my friend from Texas (Mr. Doggett) that this notion that we are going to stay just as long as President Bush wants us to stay and not a day longer, well, actually, what President Bush has said is that we will stay as long as necessary and not a day longer. And that was part of the initial strategy that was launched on his speech on the 26th of February 2003. And it is very, very clear that the President of Iraq has said that any kind of artificial timetable would, in fact, jeopardize the prospect of democracy.
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. DREIER. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. DOGGETT. Has the President or your resolution been willing to declare that it rejects the idea of permanent bases in Iraq?
Mr. DREIER. Reclaiming my time, I will say that the President has said in that speech that we will remain in Iraq as long as necessary and not 1 day longer. That is very clear to me, and so it is obvious.
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Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, given the stated interest in democracy here in the House, I would ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to permit for division of the question so that we could express our unanimous support for the various provisions of this resolution, except for that on which we have disagreement as to the best way to achieve success in Iraq. At this point, so that we can have the kind of democracy that occurred this week in Iraq, of which the majority seems so proud, and actually have it right here on the floor of the House, I ask unanimous consent for a division of the question on the provisions of this resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The majority manager of the resolution has not yielded for the purpose of such a request.
Mr. DOGGETT. Given his professed interest in democracy, I am sure he will yield for that unanimous consent.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman from California yield? The gentleman from California is indicating that he does not yield for that purpose.
Mr. DOGGETT. Shocking, truly shocking, that democracy cannot exist here on the House floor.
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