House Condemns MoveOn.org for Attacking General Petraeus
Press Release
House Condemns MoveOn.org for Attacking General Petraeus
Washington, DC - The House of Representatives today voted 341-79 to condemn, "in the strongest possible terms the personal attacks made by the advocacy group MoveOn.org impugning the integrity and professionalism of General David H. Petraeus."
"The House of Representatives took too long to condemn the vicious attack on an honorable member of our nation's armed forces that MoveOn.org published in the New York Times more than two weeks ago," said Rep. Darrell Issa. "But late is better than never. I am, however, disappointed that Congressman Bob Filner voted against condemning MoveOn.org's reprehensible and false attack against General Petraeus."
Except for Congressman Filner, the entire San Diego, Riverside, and Orange County Congressional Delegations voted to condemn the MoveOn.org attack on General Petraeus and to recognize, "the service of General David H. Petraeus, as well as all other members of the Armed Forces serving in good standing, in the defense of the United States and the personal sacrifices made by General Petraeus and his family, and other members of the Armed Forces and their families, to serve with distinction and honor."
The Senate had earlier voted 81-0 to condemn the MoveOn.org attack on General Petraeus.
The text of the Republican motion passed 341-79 today follows below:
Motion To Recommit
House Joint Resolution 52
Mr. LEWIS moves to recommit House Joint Resolution 52 to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment:
At the end of the joint resolution, insert the following new section:
Sec. 150. (a) Congress makes the following findings:
(1) General David H. Petraeus was confirmed by a unanimous vote of 81-0 in the Senate on January 26, 2007, to be the Commander of the Multi-National Forces--Iraq;
(2) General David H. Petraeus assumed command of the Multi-National Forces--Iraq on February 10, 2007;
(3) General David H. Petraeus previously served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command--Iraq, as the Commander of the NATO Training Mission--Iraq, and as Commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during the first year of combat operations in Iraq;
(4) General David H. Petraeus has received numerous awards and distinctions during his career, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the State Department Superior Honor Award, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, and the Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm; and
(5) The leadership of the majority party in both the House of Representatives and the Senate implored the American people and Members of Congress early in January 2007 to listen to the generals on the ground.
(b) It is the Sense of the Congress that the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the service of General David H. Petraeus, as well as all other members of the Armed Forces serving in good standing, in the defense of the United States and the personal sacrifices made by General Petraeus and his family, and other members of the Armed Forces and their families, to serve with distinction and honor;
(2) commits to judge the merits of the sworn testimony of General David H. Petraeus without prejudice or personal bias, including refraining from unwarranted personal attacks;
(3) condemns in the strongest possible terms the personal attacks made by the advocacy group MoveOn.org impugning the integrity and professionalism of General David H. Petraeus;
(4) honors all members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel serving in harm's way, as well as their families; and
(5) pledges to debate any supplemental funding request or any policy decisions regarding the war in Iraq with the solemn respect and the commitment to intellectual integrity that the sacrifices of these members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel deserve.
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