June 23, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5705 that it ought to all go for the common House with a number of my colleagues struction is to determine what has hap- good, that everything ought to be who will be joining me later, notably pened regarding our intelligence and thrown into one pot and everybody the gentleman from Massachusetts the political use of that intelligence by shares equally. If you believe in the so- (Mr. DELAHUNT) and the gentleman the Bush administration in the argu- cialistic type of government, then you from Hawaii (Mr. ABERCROMBIE), to ments to support war in Iraq. There is can justify a death tax. But if you be- talk about Iraq. no question that the Bush administra- lieve in the democratic, capitalistic Mr. Speaker, we have had a great tion and the leading senior advisors to process which has made this country, military victory in Iraq. Our young the President stated with complete cer- by the way, the greatest country in the men and women performed with great tainty in the fall of 2002 that Saddam history of the world, there is no way courage and great effectiveness. We are Hussein had weapons of mass destruc- under any circumstances that you all very proud of our military and the tion, was developing more weapons of could justify this tax. fact that the threat of the Saddam mass destruction, and posed an immi- As I said earlier, last week we voted, Hussein regime is no longer present to nent threat to the region and, in fact, it is over on the other side now, we threaten regional and world peace. But to the world. In private briefings and in voted for permanent elimination of we have two questions that we believe public statements, the President of the that tax, of that death tax. Unfortu- need to be addressed: First, is our mili- United States and his senior advisors nately, most of the Democrats once tary mission complete in Iraq? Sec- assured Members of Congress and the again have chosen to support and to ondly, having won the military vic- American people that the weapons of continue the death tax. tory, are we winning the peace? mass destruction existed, that they It is time for the American public, Regarding the military mission, I were being developed in even greater Mr. Speaker, to understand why there would suggest to the House that our numbers, and that they posed an immi- is a difference between Republicans mission is not complete without a full nent threat. And many of us, myself in- and Democrats. There is one issue I accounting of the weapons of mass de- cluded, based our vote in favor of mili- feel very deeply about in my heart that struction. There is no question that the tary action against Iraq for the pri- separates our two parties. Granted, primary purpose for invading Iraq put mary purpose of disarming Saddam about 40 of the more conservative forward by the administration last Hussein of weapons of mass destruc- Democrats did vote to eliminate the year and accepted by a majority of the tion. Now we cannot find them. death tax and for that they deserve Members of Congress, myself included, More troubling, now stories are ap- credit. But when I am out there, I do was for the purpose of disarming Sad- pearing in the press and intelligence not feel like I am getting in a partisan dam Hussein of weapons of mass de- analysts are stepping forward, only on argument, I do not feel like I am tak- struction. There is no question that the record if they have retired, off the ing any cheap spots when I point out Hussein had such weapons in the past. record if they still are at work for the that the death tax is primarily sup- The international United Nations in- United States, saying, in fact, they ported by the Democrats and the elimi- spectors were finding them in the mid were not giving such certain advice to nation of the death tax is driven by the and late 1990s. Hussein used weapons of the White House in the fall of 2002, that Republicans. When you go out to the mass destruction, notably chemical they were saying we cannot be sure heartland of America, when you go out weapons, against his own citizens with what kinds of weapons of mass destruc- there into that countryside some time, devastating and brutal effects. No one tion Saddam Hussein had in the fall of see if you have got enough guts to look has dreamt up or made up the motion 2002. that farm family in the face and say to that Hussein had in the past weapons On September 26, 2002, the President them, it is because of you that the next of mass destruction. There is no doubt made a speech in the Rose Garden stat- generation in that family will in all that he did. But we cannot find them ing with great certainty that Saddam likelihood not be able to continue the now. We do not know where they are. Hussein had chemical and biological farming or ranching operation. Perhaps they are buried in the desert weapons of mass destruction and was I urge my colleagues and I urge espe- and we will find them next week. I developing additional chemical and bi- cially my Democratic colleagues, it is hope that is the case. Perhaps he gave ological weapons of mass destruction, time for you to surrender this issue, them to some other group or some and yet at the same time it now has be- because it is the right thing to do. It is other country. Perhaps he destroyed come public. The Defense Intelligence time for you Democrats to step up to them. We do not know what happened, Agency in September, 2002, was circu- the plate and support the American but many of us in the House believe lating a report through the White farmer and the American rancher and that we must have a full accounting of House in the highest levels of the ad- the American small business. The best what happened to the weapons of mass ministration saying ‘‘there was no way that you can do that is to vote to destruction before our military mission credible evidence that Saddam Hussein eliminate the death tax. Give these is complete, for two basic reasons. families, give these farms, give these currently had weapons of mass destruc- First off, we need to know where they tion or was developing more weapons of small businesses, give these ranches an are. If they are not in Iraq and have opportunity to go to the next genera- mass destruction.’’ There was some been given or taken someplace else, we evidence, but no credible evidence that tion. We all benefit. Our communities need to secure them, to dismantle benefit. Our environment benefits. that was a certainty. And that lack of them. We need to know who has the certainty did not make its way into Push the socialistic temptation aside custody of them. and adopt, rather, what I call the fair- the public and private arguments made ness doctrine. It is very simple, just be b 2300 by the administration. So many of us fair. If you could just be fair in your If they are in Iraq, we have to find feel that the Bush administration has a assessment of this horrible tax, you too them. We have to make sure that the growing credibility gap regarding the next time will join the Republicans and coalition forces gain custody of those weapons of mass destruction. vote against the continuation of the weapons of mass destruction and not Why does this matter? It matters death tax. another group that might use them for greatly for the President’s new doc- trine of preemption, of the preemptive f evil purposes. If these weapons have been destroyed, all for the better; but use of military power to stop an IRAQ AND WEAPONS OF MASS we need to know why our intelligence enemy. I do believe in an age of terror DESTRUCTION did not know that fact. We frankly when we are dealing with adversaries The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. need to know what happened to them that do not always come from another GARRETT of New Jersey). Under the so that we could be sure that the world country who do not always have a cap- Speaker’s announced policy of January has been rid of that particular group of ital city to defend or a homeland to de- 7, 2003, the gentleman from Pennsyl- weapons of mass destruction and that, fend when we are dealing with terror- vania (Mr. HOEFFEL) is recognized for if they do exist, they are in safe cus- ists who are not only faceless but 60 minutes. tody. stateless that it may be necessary to Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I appre- The second reason that we need a full take preemptive military action if we ciate the opportunity to address the accounting of the weapons of mass de- are faced with an imminent threat to

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:59 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.092 H23PT1 H5706 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 23, 2003 this country. But that presupposes that that nation and the Saddam Hussein not only with this piece of information, we have accurate intelligence. It is one regime in Iraq relative to the desire of but other pieces of information that thing to respond to an attack against Saddam Hussein to purchase highly en- were relied on or alluded to that sup- us. That is the way America has always riched uranium from that nation; and ported the claim of the administration gone to war once we have been at- that was referenced in the State of the as to the intent and the position of tacked, and it is easy, of course, in the Union Address, as I indicated, by the weapons of mass destruction by Sad- traditional sense of warfare to see an President of the United States. In fact, dam Hussein. armada massing in the bay or an army it was one of the core ingredients in But I would respectfully suggest that building on our borders to know that terms of the Administration’s presen- that is inadequate. I think we have to an attack is imminent. tation to the American people for its be candid that this is a political insti- In an age of terror, we will not al- rationale in launching military inter- tution, the American people are rep- ways have that warning; so preemptive vention into Iraq. resented by two major political parties, action may be wise and necessary in Now subsequently it has been re- and I dare say that if there is disagree- the future, but we must have accurate vealed that that information was false ment within the intelligence commit- intelligence. We must be able to depend and that those documents that were re- tees of the House and the Senate, and if upon that intelligence. We must be lied on by the President, by the White that disagreement should break along able to depend upon the intelligence House were, in fact, false. They were party lines, there will be accusations analysts bringing the information for- forgeries. And that was known to our that the Republicans were ward in a timely fashion, giving their intelligence agencies, specifically the stonewalling, or that the Democrats best advice to the President and the CIA. Now there appears to be disagree- were seeking political advantage in an White House, and then we have to de- ment between the CIA and the Admin- effort to embarrass the President. And pend upon the President and the White istration as to the information that I do not think the American people de- House using that information appro- was brought to the White House by the serve that. I genuinely believe that priately and wisely, using it to inform CIA. this is a nonpartisan issue. This is an Congress and the American people, not Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, is the issue about America. This is an issue to mislead Congress and the American gentleman aware that according to re- about democracy. This is an issue that people. ports, the CIA informed the White has, I would suggest, consequences far We do not know at this point what House of the lack of accuracy of these into the future about America’s image exactly happened regarding our intel- reports in March of 2002, a full 10 in the rest of the world. ligence. We do not know whether it was months before the President’s State of I would hope that this body and that misused by anyone intentionally or un- the Union Address this past January? the President would consider con- intentionally. We do not know whether vening an independent commission; b 2310 the White House heard what it wanted take the politics out of this so there to hear in these intelligence briefings. Mr. DELAHUNT. Yes, I am aware of will not be any finger-pointing, and We do not know whether the intel- that, and I am also aware of newspaper bring people on board that have reputa- ligence briefings told the White House reports that indicated that there was tions for probity, for integrity, and are what the briefers thought the White nothing special, according to the Na- eminently qualified to address these House wanted to hear, nor do we know tional Security Adviser, about this par- issues. We should take it away from whether Congress was told what people ticular information, and that they just this body, take it away from the Sen- only wanted us to know or perhaps simply did not inquire any further ate, so that it is not about politics. what they thought they wanted us to from the CIA as to the reliability of Mr. Speaker, we have already had know. that particular information. that experience. The Hart-Rudman But these questions have to be an- But what I find disturbing, I say to Commission that none of us really swered because it goes to the very root the gentleman, is that a week from knew about or thought about or gave of our democratic system, our checks that date, the Secretary of State, Colin special attention to until September and balances, the proper relationship Powell, presented the administration’s 12, the day after. Because that par- between the executive and the legisla- case before the United Nations Secu- ticular commission was comprised of tive branches and whether or not we rity Council. And according, again, to eminent Americans from different can have faith in the accuracy of our newspaper reports, that information fields, all highly regarded, people national intelligence agencies and in was omitted by the Secretary of State whose integrity are not in question; the proper use of that intelligence. because he felt that that information people who had no political ax to grind, Before I go any further, we have been was inaccurate. who did this country a great service joined by the gentleman from Massa- Now, something is wrong. If, in the and produced a document that pre- chusetts (Mr. DELAHUNT), a senior space of 7 days, through a vetting proc- dicted, that predicted September 11. member of the House Committee on ess at the Department of State by Sec- They warned that the United States International Relations and an elo- retary Powell, he made the decision to was at risk. That particular document quent spokesman on foreign policy and remove that key piece of evidence from was filed on February 25 of 2001. And national security, my good friend; and his presentation to the Security Coun- tragically, tragically, it sat on a shelf I yield to him. cil, then something is remiss, some- and no one paid any attention to it. Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I want thing very, very serious. Mr. Speaker, I would think that given to thank the gentleman from Pennsyl- Now, I know that the gentleman sup- the work of that particular commis- vania (Mr. HOEFFEL) for again coming ported the resolution. I happened to sion, some of those people might very to the floor of this House to raise this vote against that resolution. We all well agree to serve their country again. issue to the American people because had our own reasons. But even those Because we have this, as the gentleman clearly our credibility is at risk; and as who disagree on the issue as to whether describes it, growing credibility gap. time passes, there is a growing cre- there should have been military inter- It is important to note that the CIA, scendo of constituents of mine, of his, vention in Iraq have an obligation, I again, according to newspaper reports, and of others of our colleagues inquir- would submit, to conduct a full and is in serious disagreement with the ing as to what occurred in this par- thorough review of what occurred and White House and the President. Ac- ticular case. why this particular intelligence was re- cording to a Washington Post article I think what I find particularly dis- ferred to by the President of the United that appeared on June 12, the story turbing is that in the State of the States as he addressed the American quoted a senior CIA analyst that this Union Address by the President back people, and clearly influenced the case, and it is referring to the evidence on January 28, he referred to an Afri- American people. And I would hope, developed regarding the alleged, the al- can nation. That nation, it was subse- and we understand that our intel- leged purchase of uranium from the quently revealed, is the nation of Niger ligence committees on both the House country of Niger that proved to be and that there had been a series of let- and the Senate side, are conducting an false, a senior CIA analyst said that ters exchanged between officials of investigation because of the concerns this case, and I am quoting his words

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:59 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.094 H23PT1 June 23, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5707 now, ‘‘This case is indicative of larger seek to establish an independent com- erate interests, many of whom are as- problems involving the intelligence mission, one of prominent Americans, sociated with the kind of thing that is about Iraq’s alleged chemical, biologi- that would take up this burden, and it taking place just today. cal, and nuclear weapons and its links is a burden, because it would be again I refer you to the Los Angeles Times, to al Qaeda,’’ which the administration calling on them to serve their country Monday, June 23, the business section: cited, as we well know, as justification as they did so well when they told us: California firms lining up to capitalize for war. Information not consistent, beware, America is at risk of an at- on rebuilding of Iraq. Hundreds of mil- and this is a senior Central Intelligence tack, a serious attack, that could cause lions if not billions of dollars involved Agency analyst who said this: ‘‘Infor- a substantial loss of life by terrorists in this opportunity. If you think for a mation not consistent with the admin- and no one was listening. moment that the national media is istration’s agenda was discarded, and b 2320 going to be covering the Special Or- information that was consistent was ders, do you think we are going to ap- not, was not seriously scrutinized.’’ Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank pear even on ‘‘Nightline,’’ which is We do not know what the proof is, the gentleman for his comments and probably the most objective and the and that is our obligation. That is why particularly for his suggestion. I think most far-reaching of those who want to we are here. We have a responsibility it is a very good one. get the news out, I think we are dream- to seek the truth, to answer questions. There is no doubt that we need an ing. Not for political gain, not to embarrass independent and nonpolitical review of Now, I look up right now and the gal- anyone, but to reassure the American the performance of our intelligence leries are right in front of us. For those people that the integrity and the pro- agencies and the use to which that in- of you who are across the country who fessionalism of their intelligence serv- telligence was put. And I think an are observing us and listening to us to- ices is not questioned. independent commission such as the night, the galleries are empty. I sup- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, let me gentleman describes is an excellent pose the news organizations might ask the gentleman a question along idea and one that I would certainly have to pay overtime, I am not sure, this line of the growing credibility gap. support. but there are no reporters volunteering I am sure the gentleman has heard We have been joined by our col- their time because they are interested about the two supposedly mobile labs league, the gentleman from Hawaii in what it is that we have to say. that have been found in Iraq after the (Mr. ABERCROMBIE), who was a pas- conflict. I wonder if the gentleman saw sionate advocate on matters of na- Now, I have come back from a trip the news today about what appears to tional security and foreign policy; and with a congressional delegation, the have been their actual use. I am happy to yield such time to the first congressional delegation to get Mr. DELAHUNT. No, I have not, but gentleman from Hawaii. into Iraq, to go to Bagdad, to go to I am eagerly awaiting to learn. Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I Kirkuk in the north, a bipartisan dele- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, the lat- thank the gentleman very much. gation; and I am referring to the gen- est is that reports are now circulating In conjunction with the comments tleman from Pennsylvania’s (Mr. that instead of being used for biologi- that the gentleman and the gentleman HOEFFEL) admonition and to the gen- cal or chemical laboratories, these two from Massachusetts (Mr. DELAHUNT) tleman from Massachusetts’ (Mr. trucks were used to make hydrogen for have been making, I want to preface DELAHUNT) suggestion about an inde- the purpose of filling up the Iraqi my remarks with the observation that pendent commission to examine these weather balloons needed by Iraqi artil- part of the complaint that is being issues, a nonpolitical review, if I re- lery and used by all artilleries to gauge made across the country with respect member what you said. wind and currents and so forth to make to this attack on Iraq and the subse- Mr. DELAHUNT. If my friend from their artillery shooting accurate. It ap- quent war which is now unfolding is Hawaii would yield, I think again one pears that the loose canvas covering on that where are people speaking out on cannot overemphasize the need for the these trucks would not be conducive to it? information to get out to the American their use as chemical or biological lab- Well, we are here on Special Orders people because it is important to know oratories and that the equipment there tonight. I think those who are observ- that the investigations that will be is probably designed for hydrogen pro- ing our deliberations here on C–SPAN conducted in this House by the Perma- duction. understand that the House is not for- nent Select Committee on Intelligence Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, if the mally meeting right now. I would in the other body will be conducted be- gentleman would yield, I think it is im- think, I want to make it clear to those hind closed doors, and what we are portant for us to be very clear and folks who are observing and listening looking for is to take the politics out state that just recently, and I believe to our deliberations here this evening, of it. it was in Philadelphia, a city with Now, I hear some say that Democrats which the gentleman is familiar, the that we do not have the opportunity are raising these issues to embarrass President, once more, stated unequivo- during the work day to be able to the President. No one can gauge our cally that they will find the weapons of speak at length and in depth on this sincerity, but I know that the gen- mass destruction. So I will accept the issue and the issues surrounding the tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. word of the President of the United attack on Iraq. We have the opportuni- HOEFFEL) and many of us on both sides States. ties to ask questions and perhaps a fol- But this goes beyond just that ques- lowup or two in committee hearings, of the aisle, by the way, Republicans tion, because it is clear that up to this when we are able to get them, with re- and Democrats, want a situation that point in time, there have been no dis- spect to the defense budget or as we does not lead to a political competi- coveries about weapons of mass de- dealt with just recently having wit- tion. struction. It just has not happened. nesses from the Department of Defense. Here I just ran across a report from But this is about integrity. This is Those are rather formal occasions, as The New York Times dated June 18. about whether information was used in they should be. Presentation is made And let me again quote: ‘‘Despite grow- a way so that the American people by the Department of Defense or by the ing questions about whether the White were misled, or this was information requisite executive agency, and so oc- House exaggerated the evidence about that was given to the President of the casionally a dialogue back and forth. Saddam Hussein’s chemical and bio- United States, that was inaccurate and If C–SPAN is not there, for all in- logical weapons, President Bush and led him to come to the floor of this tents and purposes, it does not exist. his aids believe that the relief that House, deliver the State of the Union When we go home to our districts and Americans feel about Mr. Hussein’s fall address to the American people, and they say, where are the people who are in Iraq will overwhelm any questions tell something and suggest to them opposed to this or have differing views about the case the administration built something that in fact had not hap- or want to establish a different per- against him. Administration officials pened. spective, it is important to understand and Republican strategists say, ‘I So again, I would hope that we would that the mass media in this country is think we can ride this out,’ said an of- get the politics out of this process and owned by a small number of conglom- ficial.’’

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:59 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.097 H23PT1 H5708 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 23, 2003 This is not a question of riding some- tired after 25 years in the State De- Maybe tonight will be the first time thing out. This is a question of right- partment, the last four of which were people will be able to hear anything ing a wrong. A wrong, wherever the re- in the Bureau of Intelligence, and his about what was known as the Organiza- sponsibility should fall, let the Amer- name is Greg Fieldman, 25-year vet- tion for Reconstruction and Humani- ican people in an appropriate forum lis- eran, and this is what he said, and I do tarian Assistance, which has now be- ten to the questions, listen to the evi- not know what his political affiliation come the Coalition Provisional Author- dence and form their own judgments. is. He could be a Republican for all I ity. These are important because we This is not about politics. know. The al Qaeda connection and the started out one way with a former gen- I do not know if either one of the nuclear weapons issues were the only eral, Jay Garner, who has now been re- gentleman had the opportunity to see ones that you could link Iraq to an im- moved all of the sudden within almost the British Parliament in its inquiry minent security threat to the United days, weeks, in terms of workdays, just into these issues. I found it extraor- States, and the administration was days, has been removed, and why? Not dinary. It was carried on BBC. It was grossly distorting the intelligence on because General Garner was thought to televised during the day. It received both items. be a bad person or an inadequate ad- national attention there. And two That is his words. That is not my col- ministrator or did not have the proper former ministers of the Blair govern- league’s words, the gentleman from motivation or understanding, but be- ment who had resigned because they Pennsylvania’s (Mr. HOEFFEL) words or cause the mission to which he had been did not believe that the intelligence my words or Democrat words in a par- assigned and the mission which he ex- was accurate and was sufficient, they tisan context. I want to hear from him, pected to carry out, namely, a recon- testified as to their observations. It and the American people have a right struction effort, somewhat perhaps was civil. It was respectful. It was a de- to hear from him, and I am sure my akin to the aftermath of a natural dis- bate that I know has informed the colleagues on the other side of the aisle aster, a dam bursting or a hurricane or British people. would expect to hear from him, also. I typhoon or something of that nature, would hope that this idea is seriously turned out to be a typhoon of entirely b 2330 considered by both sides. a different kind, namely, that there We need that to happen here, but Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, on was chaos; that there was an inability given the realities of our own political that point, or on these series of points to provide even the most elemental of system, I think it is best if the Presi- that are being made, for all intents and protection for those who would be dent, the leadership of both branches, purposes, the only opportunity that the doing the reconstruction; that there agree for an independent commission American people are going to have to was not an understanding and founda- to have public hearings that are trans- have these questions explicated is on tion in the population in which this re- parent, much like the Blair govern- this floor during special orders, and I construction was supposed to take ment has conducted in the United want to indicate, and I believe the place that this was a mutually agreed- Kingdom. three of us are agreed upon this, we are upon activity. Naturally, we are not going to expose going to be back. Arnold There were forces in the street that sources, but I would like to know, for Schwarzenegger is not the only one were, in fact, trying already to get the example, what happened between Janu- that is going to be back. United States out of Iraq, and there- ary 28 and February 5. On January 28, We are going to be back here on this fore, we had to have the intervention of the President of the United States in floor. We are going to be asking the a very competent and highly profes- his State of the Union address made questions. We are going to be making sional diplomat, Mr. Bremer, Mr. Paul this assertion, and on February 5, ac- the observations. We are going to be Bremer, who came in and assumed the cording to newspaper reports, the Sec- putting forward for the American peo- authority over what has become the retary of State Colin Powell had that ple the opportunity to hear a perspec- Coalition Provisional Authority. What particular piece of evidence removed tive that is not necessarily or likely to did he propose? from his presentation to the United be enunciated in the press, most par- When we went to Baghdad to talk Nations Security Council. What hap- ticularly in the controlled press. We with him, he had put together what I pened during those 7 days? are not going to see this on the evening called an outline. Some people would The American people should have an news. We are not going to see this in call this a plan, but I think Mr. Bremer answer. the so-called Sunday talk shows. They is an honest and forthright person. I Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I have the usual suspects on generally was very impressed with his desire to think that that is what fits into the when that comes about. speak directly to us on the questions premise that I am establishing here, So what I want to do this evening by that we posed and the observations that we need to have the press in that way of establishing some of the that we made. He did not try to finesse gallery paying attention to what is premise is refer back again to the con- anything. He did not try to make any- going on here on the floor because this gressional delegation that we made thing into something other than what is the only place right now that such a May 23 through the 27 under the chair- he thought it was. He gave that clear commission is going to take place. manship of the gentleman from Cali- impression, and I think that was If someone wants to attribute par- fornia (Mr. HUNTER), my good friend, agreed upon by all Members there, tisan motives to what we are saying our good friend, our able chairman, Democrats and Republicans, who were down here, they are going to do that someone dedicated to the defense of there. anyway. I have to trust, as we all have this country by any standard of meas- He came up with what could best be to trust, that the people will make a ure. characterized as an outline, not a plan. decision as to whether what we are Of course, there are differences of A plan is something that we know how saying, why we are saying it, how we opinion that we have in the Committee to implement, we know who is going to are saying it, where we are going, on Armed Services on which I am implement it, we know where it is makes sense to them or not on the happy to be serving as to what the poli- going to be done. We did not know any basis of ideology alone, as opposed to cies might or might not be with respect of these things. We still do not know trying to get at what the truth of the to the defense of the strategic interests these things. We are making it up as situation is with respect to the na- of this Nation, but there is no dif- we go along. This is not an accusation, tional security interests of this Nation. ference between us on either our desire as the gentleman indicates, against Mr. Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I or our capabilities or our abilities to Bremer. On the contrary he is trying to think what the American people have try to discern what the best course put something together that was not to understand is that we are not mak- might be. That is precisely why we planned for. ing allegations. We are not making as- went. We did not go there to try and This is one of the key elements that sertions. We are asking for a process get into a contest with anybody on an we have to think about here when we that will reassure the American people. ideological basis or party basis but are talking about we can have author- Others are making allegations, oth- rather to try to find out what was tak- ity as General Shinseki said when he ers like a gentleman who recently re- ing place. retired as Army Chief of Staff on June

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:59 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.098 H23PT1 June 23, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5709 11, you can be assigned command au- Did we do the kind of planning that tion before. And just by way of disclo- thority but you have to earn leader- was necessary in order to accomplish sure, on that I opposed President Clin- ship. this task? And was that mission that ton on that. So again I point out this The question here that has to be an- was outlined adequately underlined has nothing to do with Democrats and swered by the President, by the De- and a foundation established that Republicans, whether they are in the partment of Defense, by Mr. Rumsfeld would enable us to say with authority Presidency or not. This has to do with and others is, are they really exer- that the interests of the United States credibility in terms of whether or not cising the kind of leadership that we in terms of its strategic position in the the national interests are involved and need in these circumstances? We can- world and whether or not we were fac- to what degree they are involved. As a not equate a political policy with pa- ing imminent danger was in fact at result, I think that we need to under- triotism. If you are trying to tell me, stake? Absent that, then we are in for stand very clearly what Ambassador and this is where I draw the line here, serious trouble. Because that means we Bremer’s dilemma is and what is he to if you are trying to tell me that I have will be engaged in essentially an ad hoc do at this stage when contemplating to agree with somebody else’s political operation perhaps for over a decade to how to advance civil society. policy or have my patriotism ques- come in Iraq, and we will pay a fearful Now let us talk about the practical tioned or have my capacity to under- price for that in the lives and blood- consequences of this. There is a reason stand what the strategic interests of shed of our American military and that young men and women are being this Nation are, then you have crossed upon the taxpayers of this country and killed or wounded almost daily in Iraq over the line, and what you are saying upon the credibility of the United today. We have no civil authority in in effect is do not examine closely, do States with regard to world opinion. place. When those who criticize those not analyze to any great degree the Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, if the of us who were aware of this attack policies that I am putting forward be- gentleman would yield, his comments taking place under the terms and con- cause if you do then I will equate that about Vietnam, I think, are very tell- ditions and time that it took place, with somehow being antipatriotic or ing and warrant some consideration. when they complain about, well, are against our troops. One of my great concerns before the you now ready to admit that you lost; If we are putting the lives of young military involvement in Iraq started that somehow we won and you thought men and women and the United States was not whether we would win that we were going to lose. As my colleague Armed Forces on the line, then we have military confrontation. That was never from Pennsylvania pointed out, I do to have policies that are worthy of the in doubt. But how we would act after- not know of anyone, certainly not any commitment and dedication and pro- wards and would we be perceived in responsible person in the Congress, and fessionalism of those young people. perception or reality as a colonial I cannot think of anybody in the Com- I got into electoral politics because power, an occupying power, or one that mittee on Armed Services that thought we failed to do that in the Vietnam was there to liberate and help Iraqis for a moment that the United States War because we decided then that we gain control of their own lives. military would not succeed. We only would equate military activity with Now, I have noticed that the United have to observe them in action, as we political policy, and the military activ- States asked the United Nations to have as recently on this trip at the end ity became the political policy. That is name us and the British occupying of May, to see that the professionalism, why we got to body counts in Vietnam powers, using that phrase in the U.N. the capacity, the capabilities of the to try and justify our insistence on resolution of a week or two ago, occu- United States military is unparalleled. being there militarily, and so we have pying powers, which seems to me to be That is not the question. The ques- to account for the key tasks to be com- sending the wrong signal to the rest of tion is are the politicians and the poli- pleted here in the context of does this the world about what our role in Iraq tics behind the military activity up to advance the interests of the United should be. And the gentleman’s com- the mark. That is what is at stake States at this juncture, pending some ments about Vietnam, what I most re- here. And that is why we have the situ- further inquiry as to how we got there call about our quagmire in Vietnam ation in which these young people are in the first place. was how poorly our Presidents ex- being shot, are being wounded, are plained the Vietnam policy to the being put in harm’s way every day. b 2340 American people. There is no civil authority there. We And I will tell you that while these, Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Whether they are trying to stand up a police force. in and of themselves, these 10 points of were Democrat or Republican. Does that sound familiar? It should, Ambassador Bremer to be completed, Mr. HOEFFEL. Absolutely right. And because we have been trying to do it are worthy in and of themselves, they the great failing I see now is the inabil- since the late 1990s in the Balkans; and do not answer the question about what ity of the current President to explain we are still, despite much more favor- will be the role of the United States the costs, the challenges, and the time able circumstances in, at best, a very over the next 5 to 10 years, at least a lines facing us as occupying powers, if tentative dilemma with respect to decade. you will, in Iraq. whether or not with the NATO troops And this is where General Shinseki’s The gentleman was there. I would be and United States troops leaving that words become ringing in terms of his fascinated to hear his response based area, whether or not chaos will descend retirement and what he said at that re- upon his firsthand observation. once again. I will assure my colleagues tirement about command authority Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Well, Mr. if we leave any time soon, there will be and earning leadership capacity. He Speaker, if the gentleman will yield to chaos of a nature that the Secretary of said that there should be no confusion me on that point, Ambassador Bremer Defense calls untidy. about the argument over what the was very, very direct in his character- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank military should be doing or not doing ization of us being an occupying power. the gentleman, and I would yield to my in this country and what its role is And this was not said with any kind of colleague from Massachusetts. going to be in the post-attack phase in bravado. It was simply an announce- Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I just the context of the guerilla war that is ment of the realities that were in- wanted to add one observation. The now underway in Iraq. There should be volved and what his obligations were gentleman mentioned the Balkans. no confusion as to the commitment of and what his responsibilities were in What is transpiring today in Afghani- the United States military to civilian Iraq as the director of the coalition stan is close to a disaster, and here control. To raise these issues as to who provisional authority. again we have young Americans at risk was in charge is dysfunctional to the And we ought to get something every day. There has been an unfavor- discussion. But he warned us, and these straight here about this. When we say able review of what is occurring within words are going to be prophetic, do not coalition, we are talking about the Afghanistan. The warlords are still get involved in a 12-division policy United States of America. That is who there. The Taliban are reconstituting with a 10-division army. is in charge here. When the Americans themselves. The president, who had the And what he was saying here is, were show up, then people mean business. I support and continues to have the sup- we adequately prepared ahead of time? remember that from the Balkan situa- port of the United States, President

VerDate Jan 31 2003 03:59 Jun 24, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K23JN7.100 H23PT1 H5710 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 23, 2003 Karzai, is fearful of leaving Kabul. ple are going to get any kind of a dia- The gentleman talks about the need Again, progress has not been measured, logue like that. That is what this for a full disclosure by the President of but rather the lack of progress is obvi- House is all about. This is the people’s the costs of the commitment, the chal- ous; and we have been there 18 months. House. You cannot appear on this floor lenges and the time line that we face in Earlier, my colleague referred to except by way of election. You can be Iraq. General Shinseki. He had the courage appointed to the United States Senate; As we close tonight, I cannot think to speak his mind. He had the courage you cannot be appointed to the House of a better request we can make of the to tell the American people. And by the of Representatives. This is the people’s President, to tell the American people way, I think we all agree, I think there House. We come up for election, as my and the Congress what we will be fac- is unanimity among us that Iraq and wife says, every other year, not every 2 ing in Iraq. If the people do not know, the world is better off without Saddam years. You can have a driver’s license they will not support it. And if times Hussein. That is not at issue here. We longer than you can have a license to get tough, and they have been, 17 peo- have had a changing policy in regard to be on this floor, and that is as it should ple have died in Iraq since hostilities Iraq dating back for years, including, be because it was the intention of the have supposedly ended. by the way, in the 1980s, when this Founders of this Nation that the people Mr. DELAHUNT. The number I un- President’s father, George Herbert in this country have the opportunity to derstand now is 43 young Americans Walker Bush, took Saddam Hussein off decide who will represent them here have died since the end of the formal the terrorist list as Vice President in against the House of Lords on the other phase of combat. the early 1980s, in conjunction with, side of the building. Mr. HOEFFEL. It is staggering. We and, obviously, under the direction of I would indicate that I will be coming need a full description and a full set- President Reagan, installed an em- back to the floor, and I hope to be ting-forth of the challenge by the bassy in Baghdad, supplied agricultural joined by others because we do not in- President. I thank the gentleman from credits in the amounts of billions of tend to let this issue slide. We do not Hawaii (Mr. ABERCROMBIE) and the gen- dollars to the Iraqis, and were pro- intend for anybody to get over this or tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. viding intelligence from our military get by it. DELAHUNT). to the Iraqi military in terms of bene- Mr. DELAHUNT. Or ride it out. Mr. Mr. ABERCROMBIE. One closing re- fiting in their war with Iran. Speaker, nobody is going to ride it out. mark, I do not think the parents and I think we have to say it, they were Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Not while we families of the young people who have fully aware that the Iraqis at that have the opportunity and obligation as died make any differentiation between point in time were using chemical Members of the House of Representa- formal and informal. I think those weapons. They knew. They knew what tives to speak out on behalf of the peo- deaths are devastating regardless of was happening in northern Iraq against ple of this Nation. the timing associated with it. the Kurds. Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I have been here just 5 years. I have often f 2350 b heard of the gentleman’s eloquence and CORRECTION TO THE CONGRES- Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, if passion, and he has proven it tonight SIONAL RECORD OF THURSDAY, the gentleman would yield, that just with great glory. JUNE 19, 2003, AT PAGE H5643 goes to show that the interests of the Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, let me United States at that time were just close with an observation. It is my deemed to be such that we could have understanding that sometime this ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO CER- that kind of diplomatic relationships week we could very well be considering TAIN STANDING COMMITTEES OF with Saddam Hussein and the govern- a proposal for prescription drug bene- THE HOUSE ment in Iraq. The present Secretary of fits. I juxtapose that with a headline Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I offer a Defense was part of that, was in Iraq that I noticed today, and I guess it resolution (H. Res. 284) and ask unani- and trying to do business with Saddam must have been in the aftermath of mous consent for its immediate consid- Hussein. Under Secretary Wolfowitz’s testimony eration in the House. The question is what caused that before the Committee on Armed Serv- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The change? Was it really in the interest of ices where it was concluded that there Clerk will report the resolution. the United States in terms of our de- was a probability that a substantial The Clerk read as follows: fense and imminent danger to the American presence would be required H. RES. 284 United States to attack Iraq? That is a in Iraq for a decade and that the cost question that needs to be answered be- Resolved, That the following Members be to the American people would be $54 and are hereby elected to the following cause it is going to inform us and in- billion a year. standing committees of the House of Rep- struct us where we are going from here, I ask my colleagues and those that resentatives: whether it is Iran, Syria, North Korea, are watching us to reflect for a mo- Committee on Agriculture: Mr. whether it is the kind of policies that ment on the cost to the taxpayers and Neugebauer. are going to come forward on Iraq the reality of the deficit that we are Committee on Resources: Mr. Neugebauer. itself. This is the kind of thing that facing far into the future and at the Committee on Science: Mr. Neugebauer. needs not just an emphasis but needs same time the needs of our seniors to Committee on Small Business: Mr. explanation. have a genuine, significant, prescrip- McCotter. If we are going to have a policy wor- tion drug benefit so they can live their The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there thy of the legacy of this Nation’s tri- lives with dignity and a sense that objection to the request of the gen- umph of democracy, we cannot simply they are going to be treated as they tleman from Nebraska? assert it on behalf of other people, par- should. There was no objection. ticularly in a place like Iraq which has Mr. ABERCROMBIE. And that they The resolution was agreed to. never known it and whose entire his- are not under siege. A motion to reconsider was laid upon tory since World War I has been noth- Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, the gen- the table. ing but a division of the spoils among tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. f Western nations. DELAHUNT) has framed the issue very Mr. Speaker, I simply want to indi- well. There are many things we need to LEAVE OF ABSENCE cate to my colleagues, and I hope that be talking about regarding the post- By unanimous consent, leave of ab- we will have a dialogue in the future, conflict situation in Iraq: how to se- sence was granted to: particularly with those who have dif- cure it properly because security is a Mr. JEFFERSON (at the request of Ms. ferent views as to where we should be huge issue; and how to bring not just PELOSI) for today on account of official going and what we have accomplished democracy to the people of Iraq but the business. to this point, or what we have failed to institutions of democracy, free press, Ms. KILPATRICK (at the request of Ms. accomplish to this point, because it is free speech, a noncorrupt judicial sys- PELOSI) for today on account of per- the only place that the American peo- tem. sonal reasons.

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