Regarding H.J. Res. 52

Floor Speech

REGARDING H.J. RES. 52 -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 15, 2007)

SPEECH OF HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2007

* Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker. I rise to oppose the escalating rhetoric in Washington that is dividing our Nation, diverting attention and resources from the needs of Americans, and extending President Bush's failed policy in Iraq. I join the majority of Americans in seeking an end to the Iraq war and allowing U.S. troops to return home safe and soon.

* Americans are united in support of our troops. Americans are beginning to unite behind ending the war. Ratcheting up rhetoric only divides Americans and distracts from the stark reality facing our Nation--our Nation is bogged down in President Bush's Iraq war.

* My vote to recommit and amend H.J. Res. 52 was a vote to return to substantive debate of policy and priorities. This was a vote against the rising level of incivility in American political discourse. This was a vote to repudiate the MoveOn.org advertisement questioning General David H. Petraeus' loyalty to our Nation.

* While members of MoveOn.org have been allies with Democrats and the majority of Americans who are seeking an end to the Iraq war, the decision by the group's National leaders to attack General Petraeus only contributed to the vitriol in Washington and provided a rally point for those who wish to extend the failed Iraq policies of President Bush and Congressional Republicans.

* Just as the Swift Boating of Senators John Kerry and Max Cleland poisoned the political process and disenfranchised the public by questioning the patriotism and character of honorable men, the attempt to discredit General Petraeus is equally damaging. General Petraeus is an honorable person who deserves respect, even as the public deserves to hold him accountable for the policies he implements.

* Irresponsible and heated rhetoric has resulted in the current impasse on Federal funding for Government operations. To prevent funding shortfalls that would force a Government shutdown, Congress was forced to pass H.J. Res. 52 as a stopgap bill.

* With bipartisan support, the House of Representatives has passed all 12 of the appropriations bills necessary to fund Government operations in Fiscal Year 2008 under pay-as-you-go balanced budget discipline. However, President Bush's combative posturing and veto threats have so thoroughly blocked progress that the Senate has only approved a third of those bills.

* During the short 9 months that Democrats have led the House of Representatives, we have taken America in a new direction by developing a fiscally responsible record accomplishment. We are putting the needs of the American people first and making long-delayed investments in our future with no new deficit spending. We are investing in health care for America's children and veterans, strengthening homeland security to better protect the American people and creating American jobs by building safer roads and bridges.

* President Bush has responded with vetoes, tough talk of veto threats, including a threatened veto on the bipartisan reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program H.R. 976, which passed the House with 45 Republicans joining the vast majority of Democrats. A veto of this legislation by the President would deny 10 million low-income children the health care they need and deserve.

* While President Bush claims that a $35 billion increase for children's health care is too much, he is seeking $190 billion in additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan--the largest single-year amount so far. The President continues to pursue an open-ended and dangerous commitment of American troops in Iraq and an open wallet from the American people to pay for it.

* It is time for Americans to stand together--Republicans and Democrats--to end the Iraq war.

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