H7422 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 28, 2007 for Washington to offer serious solu- that they have made and make sure all and I wish I could have thanked tions to the problems facing the coun- that the American people don’t con- them all. try. One look at the polls shows Ameri- tinue to have this very negative opin- But one of the groups I did get a cans are taking notice and they aren’t ion of the Congress of the United chance to visit with just recently was pleased. States. We want this House to be re- the St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic But where the majority is failing to spected. We want the Senate to be re- Church of Naperville, Illinois, again, lead, Republicans are stepping up. spected. And we need to live up to our one of the thousands of groups that While Democrats broke their promise promises so that we can get on with have been to south Mississippi and con- to operate the House floor in an open, the important work that the American tinue to go to south Mississippi to help fair, and bipartisan manner, Repub- people have sent us here to do. people rebuild their lives. licans have found ways to strengthen This is the people’s House, and I am We want to thank them and all the and expose flaws in Democratic bills. extraordinarily proud to be a Member groups, but I also want to recognize a While Democrats broke their promise of this House. And I know I join with letter that they sent to my office. And to lead the most open, honest, and eth- other Republicans in saying that we it’s strange that they should even be ical Congress in history, Republicans want to bring back respect and integ- thanking someone from my office, it is are pushing for commonsense ethics rity to this House so it is not called a my office that should be thanking rules that hold lawmakers to a higher House of hypocrisy. them. But I want to read their letter in standard. While Democrats broke their f gratitude for them, and thank them as promise to deliver transparency in a way of thanking all the people that spending taxpayer dollars, Republicans b 2045 helped. have forced the majority to restore ‘‘We are eternally grateful to you for GOP earmark reforms that bring great- AMERICA, MISSISSIPPI THANKS YOU sharing with us one of Mississippi’s fin- er transparency and accountability to est natural resources, Chris LaGarde.’’ Federal spending. While Democrats The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Chris is an employee in my office. broke their promise to enact legisla- HALL of New York). Under a previous Since we first met Chris a year ago, tion that makes America energy inde- order of the House, the gentleman from we’ve come to know him as a dear pendent, Republicans believe we can Mississippi (Mr. TAYLOR) is recognized friend, a counselor, a leader, a chef, a lower gas prices and reduce our depend- for 5 minutes. mentor and a pack rat. He is a great ence on foreign energy by increasing Mr. TAYLOR. Mr. Speaker, I want to big energizer bunny in a bright orange domestic energy supplies, conserving thank my colleagues for yielding me jumpsuit, not only because he never more, and investing in the technologies the time. stops, but because his presence ener- of tomorrow. While Democrats broke Mr. Speaker, as you know, about 22 gizes all of us. Chris is a man of com- their promise to be fiscally responsible months ago the Mississippi Gulf Coast passion and passion. He is caring, lov- increasing taxes and spending in tan- was hit with the worst hurricane in our ing, generous and the most humble dem, Republicans put forth a plan that Nation’s history. It was followed up by man you could ever meet. He’s an ex- balances the Federal budget without a disaster made by man, which was the cellent chef and host. raising taxes. And while Democrats insurance industry almost uniformly Through all of the trials and tribu- broke their promise to make national denying the claims of people who had lations of finding work for our 60 vol- and homeland security a priority, paid their premiums for decades. So unteers all week and feeding us twice House Republicans have stood united people who thought they were covered this week, he always kept his to provide our troops the resources woke up the next day or the next week composure, his sense of humor and his they need to defeat al Qaeda and rad- to discover that their house was gone, love for all of us. He is a role model not ical jihadists and are determined to se- and that their insurance company that cure our borders and enforce our immi- only for young adults, but for us older said they were in ‘‘good hands’’ or that adults as well. He lends perspective to gration laws. might have been their ‘‘good neighbor’’ While Republicans are working to what is really important in all of our or were ‘‘on their side’’ weren’t going lives, not our iPods, TVs, cell phones, earn back the majority, Democrats are to pay. acting like the entrenched majority cars and homes, but our friends, family It has led to several problems, one of and fellow human beings. they led before, saying one thing to which will be addressed, we hope, in Americans outside of Washington and Chris is the epitome of the face of July with a promise by the Speaker doing something different inside the Christ, of service, of love for his fellow PELOSI, Chairman FRANK, Chairwoman Capitol building. man. Over the next few weeks, every House WATERS for a hearing in the Financial To the folks of St. Elizabeth Seton, Democrat must answer this key ques- Services Committee to amend the Na- know what you’ve said is really about tion: Why haven’t you kept your prom- tional Flood Insurance Program to yourselves and about the other people ises? allow people to buy all-perils insurance who’ve come to south Mississippi to I don’t have a Web site available like through their Nation, something that help us out. And on behalf of the people some of the other groups do. But I can will prevent the fight in the future in of south Mississippi, I want to thank tell you that this publication, ‘‘House other areas of America where 52 per- all of those volunteers for what they Democrats’ Top 100 Broken Promises,’’ cent of Americans live. So if they go have done and what they continue to will be available from any Republican through the same sort of tragedy that do. And on behalf of not only the peo- Member of this Congress, and I am sure the people of Mississippi went through, ple of south Mississippi, but all of our that we can make it available. I am that they will be paid. Because the fellow Americans, I think our fellow sure it is on a Web site, probably on only people who did pay their claims Americans have truly risen to the oc- the Web sites of all of the leadership: last time, uniformly, was our Nation casion. And I, for one, am eternally Republican Leader JOHN BOEHNER, Re- through the National Flood Insurance grateful for their help. publican Whip ROY BLUNT, Conference Program. f Chair ADAM PUTNAM, Policy Chairman One of the ways that the American ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE WHITE THADDEUS MCCOTTER, Conference Vice people responded to that, Mr. Speaker, HOUSE Chair KAY GRANGER, Conference Sec- is that by the thousands, all the way retary JOHN CARTER, Chief Deputy from kindergartners to grandparents, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under Whip ERIC CANTOR, Rules Committee volunteers that have come to south the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- Ranking Republican DAVID DREIER. My Mississippi, they volunteered their uary 18, 2007, the gentleman from New guess is that it can be found on any of time, they have given of their own per- Hampshire (Mr. HODES) is recognized their Web sites. I am going to make sonal treasure to help the people of for 60 minutes as the designee of the sure that it is on my Web site in the south Mississippi rebuild who should majority leader. next few days. have been paid by the insurance indus- Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I’m here But I think, again, it is important try but won’t. We’ve had so many tonight with my distinguished col- that we hold people to the promises groups. And I wish I could name them league from Florida (Mr. KLEIN) to talk

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jun 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28JN7.259 H28JNPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE June 28, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7423 in this Chamber about accountability, mocracy in that region, it just doesn’t there are choices; there are good and to talk about our security in the necessarily work that way. Although choices, there are better choices, and Middle East, our strategy for the war we would like to believe as Americans, there are choices to move forward. To in Iraq, the problems the American and we know that we have the best sys- stand still, to say the surge and all people face with the leadership of this tem in the world, it just can’t be plant- those things, we need to move forward country, which does not seem, at the ed in some other part of the world and and best protect our troops and best very top echelon, the President and the just accepted as it is. protect Americans. Vice President, to be able to respond to So the reality is, what can we do? Mr. HODES. Mr. KLEIN, one of the the clearly expressed will of the Amer- What are the choices? And I have not things I think about is the change in ican people, the facts on the ground in been one who said immediate with- the dialogue that has occurred since Iraq, the advice from esteemed mili- drawal. There are some in this Cham- the Democrats became the majority tary commanders and generals who un- ber that believe in immediate with- party here in the House of Representa- derstand the situation in Iraq. drawal, there are some that say we tives as a result of the elections of No- And, really, it all comes down to ac- should be there for 10, 20, 30, 50 years, vember 2006. countability. Because Mr. KLINE and I as long as it takes. And I know that there are many peo- came to this body as a result of the I think the reality is, there has to be ple in this country who are extremely elections of November 2006. And in a better way. And I think that we’ve frustrated. More than 70 percent of the those elections, the American people heard from many of our military ex- people in this country, the statistics spoke loudly and clearly. In my home perts. When President Bush says, let’s now tell us, are committed to changing State of New Hampshire, they said we listen to the military experts, I agree. course in Iraq, despite the intran- need a new direction in Iraq; our strat- But it’s not just the military experts sigence, the stubbornness, the refusal egy is not working. that are telling you what you want to of the President to face reality, despite The war in Iraq has not made us hear, it’s the military experts that the refusal of the Vice President of this safer. The war in Iraq is not enhancing have been our generals, people that country to meet his own obligations to American security. The war in Iraq is have served in that region, continue to the people of this country. But the dia- not stabilizing the Middle East and ad- serve in that region, and not just as logue has changed. vancing our true national security in- soon replace them if they don’t agree It’s very important, I think, to take terests. The war in Iraq is costing bil- with the present administration. stock of what has happened, where we lions and billions and billions of dol- There are answers, just like anything are now and how we are moving for- lars, sapping our military strength and else. It doesn’t matter if it’s health ward, and also to talk about the ac- readiness, and leaving us, as a Nation, care or energy, there are answers to all countability of the administration and poorer and unable to respond to con- these things. People solve problems all the Republicans, our colleagues on the flicts around the globe and the urgent day long. Americans are very innova- other side of the aisle, who have stood need of domestic priorities at home, tive, energetic people. There are an- foursquare up until now with the failed the needs of working families here in swers to this one as well. They may not policies of this President. America who need the kinds of funds be the answers we’re looking for that The picture that I have put up here is that are being diverted into a war that are the ultimate best answers, but a picture of President Bush with vir- is not working, that need to be used at there are ways that we can best protect tually the entire Republican delegation home to help take care of Americans. our interests in the Middle East, our standing with him when he rejected the Now I’d like to yield to Mr. KLEIN. support of the State of Israel and other Democrats’ attempt to set reasonable Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I thank the friends in that region, and then most guidelines for troop readiness, for gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. importantly, the people that live in our benchmarks, for Iraqi accountability, HODES). country. And those may be redeploy- and a timeline for the responsible, stra- I appreciate the opportunity to be ment, moving our troops out of harm’s tegic redeployment of American troops here tonight as members of our fresh- way and into areas where maybe the to protect our security. man class. We try to get together borders are secured; or maybe, as we We’ve heard a lot in the past few about once a week to speak to each know now, the major mistake was that days, in the past few months from our other and to speak to the Members on the entire Iraqi leadership of its armed colleagues on the other side of the aisle the floor here about the importance of forces was basically eviscerated, who keep blasting Democrats. They what we were elected to do, along with they’re gone and moved away. And so say, well, we’re not getting anything every other Member, Democrat and Re- the result is you have an Iraqi Army done. But Democrats have stood up publican, in this Chamber. that by and large is leaderless. And time and time again to help push a new Certainly this last election had a lot they’ve been trying to make amends on direction in Iraq. And frankly, and un- to do with the war and the strategy of that and trying to deal with that, but fortunately, it’s been our Republican the war and whether waging the war in they’re still way behind their curve. colleagues on the other side of the aisle the way it was being waged was suc- We can probably provide some support who have not helped move this along, cessful. And of course success, at least in that area. who have not stood up to their Presi- in my view and the people that I have But we do also know at the same dent and said to our President, this is spoken to, is what can we do to en- time, in terms of our national security an American issue. We must all work hance and protect the American peo- interests, if we think about what together for a responsible strategy that ple? All of us, in our homes, our cities, brought us to this point so far and why protects American security. our country, and certainly our friends we have this threat of terrorism, is be- Now, after 6 months in the majority, abroad. cause we were attacked on 9/11, nothing House and Senate Democrats really are At this time, it seems pretty clear, to do with Iraq, but Osama bin Laden changing the debate on the war. We’re and I think it’s been pretty clear to the and al Qaeda. That issue has to do with insisting that the Bush administration American people for a long time who Afghanistan and maybe other areas of and the Iraqi Government be held ac- have been ahead of the President and Pakistan. That’s where our military countable. We need benchmarks to ahead of the Congress in their thinking might, our strength, our troops, our measure progress, or the lack thereof. about this, that the national security ability to build coalitions around the We need to challenge the stay-the- of our country, of course coming first, world, which we’ve lost along the way course strategy, and we will continue is not being enhanced by having our here, that’s where we can have the to challenge this President’s stay-the- fighting men and women, our brave most impact. course strategy. men and women fighting a war that by So Mr. HODES, I would just like to And what is not too surprising to me and large is the participation of a civil open with those thoughts. I know we’re now, as we sit here today ready for the war, a civil war among groups of people going to have a little bit of discussion July 4th recess and about 6 months that unfortunately have been fighting on that. But I want the American peo- into the 110th Congress, under pressure each other for a long, long time; that ple to know and I want our Members from responsible Democrats and the by us dropping in our own form of de- here in the Chamber to understand, American public, an increasing number

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jun 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28JN7.261 H28JNPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE H7424 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 28, 2007 of Senate Republicans are now questions raised and looking for that today. They are very concerned, for in- distancing themselves from the Presi- accountability. stance, that while 9/11 was caused by al dent’s policy, even as our colleagues on The bottom line is this: This is the Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan with the other side of the aisle, our House Iraqis’ war. This is the Iraqis’ responsi- the Taliban, that the Bush administra- Republicans, continue to cling to it. bility to take their own country and tion not only implied but said that The question is, when will the rubber- build it back up. That is their civilian somehow, Saddam Hussein and Iraq stamp House Republicans face the re- ability, their ability to put the elec- were tied in with al Qaeda at the time ality, join the Democrats, together tricity back on, build hospitals and of that attack. It just wasn’t so. with the American people, in demand- create jobs for themselves and put We have made some serious mistakes ing a real change and a responsible, down the terror and the people that are that they see. They see that the object strategic redeployment of our forces harassing them in the cities and the of going in, occupying Baghdad and im- from Iraq? That, as you said, doesn’t explosives going on. They have got to mediately firing the civil service, de- necessarily mean and shouldn’t mean, take their own bull by the horns and do Baathification, firing the Army, simply in my view, that we bring everybody something about themselves. We can’t provided fuel for the insurgency, pro- home in a precipitous fashion. That’s do that. They have to do that. So there vided people and weapons to fight what the Republicans continue to is this responsibility that they have to against stability in Iraq. They see claim Democrats are talking about, stand up to themselves and recognize. those questions. but nothing could be further from the We did what we said we were going to Now the question they are asking is, truth. Because the Democratic Caucus do. We took out Saddam Hussein and where to? Where do we go from here? and the American people understand gave them a fresh opportunity. Saddam The good news is that some of the Re- that what is needed is a responsible, Hussein was a tyrant. He was a bad publican Senators have begun to see strategic redeployment to protect guy. But let’s now look to the next the light. I just want to quote one of American security. level. The next responsibility is for the Mr. KLEIN of Florida. And Mr. Iraqi people to stand up for themselves. our distinguished colleagues who is in the Senate Chamber, Senator RICHARD HODES, I would absolutely agree with We can’t fight their war for them. We you. And I think the proof is in the can’t fight that for them. We have our LUGAR, the distinguished Republican pudding back home. When I go back own responsibilities. from Indiana, the ranking member on home and I speak to folks in town hall We have to deal with Iran right now. the Foreign Relations Committee, who meetings in Palm Beach County and Iran is a serious threat to Israel and said, ‘‘In my judgment, the costs and Broward County in south Florida our interests around the world, North risks of continuing down the current where I live, I’ve heard from Demo- Korea, obviously, and Afghanistan. path outweigh the potential benefits crats, Republicans and independents. These are places where the United that might be achieved. Persisting in- And nobody wears their party on their States military needs to be able to be definitely with the surge strategy will sleeve, you just hear from them and strong and exert itself when needed. delay policy adjustments that have a they explain how they feel. And they Mr. HODES. Mr. KLEIN, I want to better chance of protecting our vital feel very strongly that, as former mili- pick up on a few points you made, be- interests over the long term. Our secu- tary, there are a lot of senior citizen cause as I have traveled around New rity interests call for a downsizing and veterans in my area, they fought so Hampshire, I have met with numerous redeployment of U.S. military forces to hard for our country and the values veterans and lots of folks in the active a more sustainable position.’’ That was and the strength that they have for the military. The people in New Hampshire a speech by Senator LUGAR, a Repub- belief in the military and the strength are not especially liberal, left-wing lican from Indiana, on the Senate floor that they have for the belief in our people. They are Americans. on June 25 of this year. He is beginning country and doing the right thing as This issue is really an issue of what to face the reality and getting ready we did in World War II and as we’ve it means to be a patriot. Because we all for a new direction in Iraq. done so many times since then. And want the best outcome we can possibly We have now been joined by our dis- they feel that what is going on right make for this country, for our troops, tinguished colleague, JASON ALTMIRE now is weakening the military, weak- for our veterans, for our wounded war- from Pennsylvania. We are delighted to ening America, as a standard bearer for riors. We want to do the best we can have you with us. He often speaks with truth and strength in the world, and for America. On whatever side of this the 30-Something Group. It is a real this hurts. This hurts them, as people debate about the proper policy, I think treat to have him with the New Mem- who fought so hard for our country. we all need to respect each other’s ber Caucus tonight. The Class of 2006 views on that. welcomes you, JASON. b 2100 I find that in New Hampshire. But Mr. ALTMIRE. Thank you, Mr. I am not 70 years old. I am not 80 what I find is a deep yearning that this HODES. It is an honor to see you here years old. But I have so many people country is accountable to the Amer- tonight, as well as Mr. KLEIN from that have expressed that to me as they ican people, that our government is ac- Florida. wear their hats, as they wear their uni- countable to the American people in a form, as they come and talk about way that sets us on a course for being We are at our 6-month point. We have their own personal experiences. We cer- number one. one of our freshman colleagues in the tainly have that generation. Now, I don’t mean that in any big, Chair tonight. Mr. HALL from New Then we have the generation of par- bullying way, but number one because, York is serving as the Speaker pro ents whose kids may enlist or are al- up until recently, in my years—I have tempore this evening. We are in the ready in the military. Some believe been around for 56 years—this country Chamber here tonight; we are talking that what the military is doing is just stood on its values. We stood on the about the first 6 months. We are talk- right. Some feel very bad and feel like, principles of truth, justice, fairness, ing about what is certainly the most not that their sons and daughters equality, and opportunity for all. That important issue facing the country, as aren’t doing the right thing on behalf is what the American people expect anyone would agree, which is the war of the country, they just feel like the from their government. That is where in Iraq. We are talking about account- strategy is not what they have made they want our country to go. They see ability. As the gentleman pointed out, that representation, that commitment that the war in Iraq has diverted us we have a President that seems to be about. from being as great as we can be, from struggling with accountability right I also feel like you do, that I am be- fulfilling the true promise of America now. ginning to see, and I know in some of both in the blood and treasure of our If you look at what has happened in the committee hearings we have had in brave soldiers lost in the sands of Iraq. Iraq, we talk about the surge. We are the House of Representatives we have They also are very concerned. I speak going to have this report in September heard expressions by both Democrats to people about some of what happened on whether the surge has worked. We and Republicans. We are starting to and the mistakes that were made that all pray that we get good news in Sep- hear from Republicans, too, about produced the issues that we are in tember, that General Petraeus is going

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:47 Jun 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28JN7.262 H28JNPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE June 28, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7425 to come in and give us an accurate as- the ground. Whenever they tell him it. That was the situation. I was fortu- sessment and, hopefully, that assess- something he doesn’t want to hear, nate as a Member of Congress, I was ment will be that things are turning they have resigned or they are fired. So able to get Ms. Boyer in. But, unfortu- around. I lack the confidence that this admin- nately, you wonder how many people But it does not appear at this point istration is going to be able to view the around the country have made a simi- that that is the case. In fact, as you Iraq situation as anything more than lar effort and were unable to get in on well know, Mr. HODES, the last 3 ‘‘stay the current course.’’ We all know this tour. months where the surge has been fully that we need a different course. So, I really thought this was a dis- in effect and we have been over there, We were talking about account- graceful situation, and I did want to have been the bloodiest 3 months in the ability. I did just want to tell one story bring it to the attention of my fresh- 41⁄2 years we have been in Iraq. The last that is related to the way this adminis- men colleagues, because this is some- 3 months have been the worst 3 tration views our men and women and thing that just happened today. And I months. That does not bode well for the families that are serving this coun- think it is indicative of the treatment the effectiveness of the surge. try. I had a constituent in town today. that our military families are getting As you said, we are over 3,500 now She is an 84-year-old Gold Star mother. from this administration. that have been killed and 25,000 in- Her son was killed in 1969 in Vietnam. I talked about the fact that we have jured, wounded and that is just a tragic She has not been to Washington, D.C. had 6 consecutive years prior to this situation. She has not seen the Wall with her one of chronic underfunding of our VA I was able to tour Walter Reed soon son’s name on it, the Vietnam War Me- healthcare system. You see the result after that incident came to light with morial. She called our office 2 weeks at Walter Reed, what happens when the Washington Post, and perhaps you ago and explained her situation. She you don’t provide enough funding for gentlemen did as well. What strikes said, ‘‘I am bringing my two daughters, these institutions. Unfortunately, we you when you meet these men and who are obviously grown now. They are as a nation were doing that over the women, they are the bravest and the the sisters of the serviceman that was last several years. brightest and the best this country has killed in 1969. They are going to come But this Congress took a step in the to offer. To think that we have a situa- down together as a family for the first right direction to resolve that by pro- tion where we were giving them sub- time.’’ Her goal, her life-long dream, viding the largest increase in the his- standard care in a military hospital, was to tour the White House. So we tory, 77-year history of the VA health and in the Department of Defense, we care system, and in the 6 months we chronically underfund our VA health called the White House. As you cer- tainly know, there is a 6-month wait- have been here, we have voted for $13 care systems all across the country. So billion in increased funding for the VA you have the Defense health care sys- ing list. But there is an exception in healthcare system. tem that Walter Reed was a part of, special circumstances. One of those cir- cumstances, we were told, you were We have also voted to increase and that was a disgraceful situation; screenings and treatment for trau- then on the other hand, for the past probably told, were for Gold Star fami- lies. matic brain injury, which is now the several years, we have chronic under- signature issue for the Iraq war vet- funding of the VA health care system. b 2115 erans. Many of the people who would So when we talk about this adminis- They can get in and take that tour of have perished in previous wars, because tration’s record with regard to ac- the White House. countability and what happens after of increased technology and military So we were told, sure, they are wel- equipment, we have a lot of amputees these brave men and women come come. We sent the information over, home, we have the issue of multiple de- and we have a lot of head injuries. So and then we promptly got a phone call ployments where the Guard and Re- the issues we face are different from saying, well, no, no, that exception serve families have to struggle with issues we faced in previous wars with only works for Iraq and Afghanistan multiple deployments and extended de- regard to treating the men and women Gold Star families, not for Vietnam era ployments going from 1 year to 18 that come home. families. months. Some of these veterans are So we are going to screen them and So we had to call back this 84-year- small business owners or work in small we are going to treat them for trau- old woman who wanted to see the Viet- firms where they have to go to their matic brain injury and we are going to nam War Memorial and her son’s name employer and say, I have to go over to make that part of what we are doing in on the wall for the first time, and Iraq, I have to serve this country. Of the VA healthcare system. wanted to tour the White House, it was course, the employer says, that is won- So this Congress has taken a step in her lifelong dream, and we had to tell derful, you have my support. Then they the direction of honoring our Nation’s have to go back a second time, maybe her well, I am sorry, we are not going veterans, and I am proud at our 6- a third. to be able to do that, because the month point of our first term in Con- Again, for the ones that own their White House does not allow that. gress that we can go home over the own business and are the person that is Then it came to my attention that July 4th recess and talk about the fact running the business, how are they we as Members of Congress in very rare that no Congress in the history of the going to keep that business afloat? It circumstances are allowed to take Congress has ever done more for our affects the family. It affects the chil- groups down and put them in the line if Nation’s veterans than we have, in just dren. This has so many repercussions. we appear with them. So I called her 6 months. So I am proud to talk about Every segment of our society is im- and I said, you know, I am going to that. pacted by it. But we have a President just do this myself. Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Thank you. I that has been given the views of the So today we took her down and we appreciate your observing those things American people—we are going to talk put her in the line and she got her tour that we did, because I think every one about that tonight—but they have been of the White House. of us believes it is the right thing to disregarded. So I sent a letter to President Bush do. I know, just to share for a moment, Sixty-nine percent of the American and I said, there is two issues here. One the experience that all of us had at people think we are heading down the is this policy is ridiculous. How can Walter Reed Hospital and the experi- wrong road in Iraq and that we need to you justify putting one group of fami- ences that we have all had in visiting change course. Instead, we get more of lies who have suffered the greatest loss our veterans and our folks who have the same. We have an administration imaginable in the service of our coun- fought for you us so bravely back that was given a blueprint for success try ahead of another group of families? home. by the Iraq Study Group 6 months ago How can you put one generation of The point you made is that many of now, 7 months ago. Instead of following military Gold Star families ahead of these men and women back in Viet- it, or at least looking at it, it was another? nam, back in other wars, would have promptly discarded. The second issue is, what is the pol- died based on the injuries they have re- We have an administration that has icy? Can you explain it? What is the ceived. But instead, because of modern ignored the advice of his generals on justification for it? And please change science, they are alive today, some of

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jun 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28JN7.264 H28JNPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE H7426 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 28, 2007 them. But the injuries are so substan- concerned about the future of our thought would be the starting run of tial, loss of both legs, loss of arms, loss country. the Iraqi conflict, and thinking what a of major functions that they have, they We are prepared to change that. I am tragic misadventure this would be. are going to require a lifetime of care. very happy that Democrats have Those words were brought back to And every American needs to under- changed, as you said, Mr. HODES, the me as I thought about them 18 months stand that is a responsibility we have. discussion in Washington, taking the later when I returned on the ground in When we ask our men and women to discussion back in our streets at home, Afghanistan and saw what had not been fight for us, we better be prepared to our main streets back at home up here, accomplished when I had known what make sure they have all the necessary finding even Republicans now who I had to be done. Because we diverted cares, and their families get that same know believe and, of course, they want our attention and our resources, our level of care. Because it is that sup- to do the right thing as well, but just Psychological Operations Forces, our port, that when we ask people to fight a blind loyalty to the President’s pol- Special Operations Forces, our Civil for the values and strength of our icy at this point is not the right thing Affairs Forces and the attention of this country, that needs to be there. to do. We need to think, use common Nation from Afghanistan to Iraq. But that is a cost of this war. And sense, figure out the right way to rede- To me, Afghanistan is prey to terror- the problem, of course, is that if in ploy, protect our men and women over ists now once again as the Taliban re- fact, as we started this conversation there, do the right thing so the Middle gain control in parts of the southern tonight, we are not achieving our na- East can be stabilized and we can fight provinces. And as we look inserting tional security interests, we are not our real battles and deal with Iran and more forces back into Afghanistan, it making Americans safer at home or Afghanistan and other places. is a poster child for what Iraq is really our friends overseas more secure, if we Mr. HODES. Mr. KLINE, thank you about. are not accomplishing any of that, and very much for those thoughts. I expect Iraq is a conflict, a civil war that has we are going to wait until September that over this July 4th recess, a num- hurt our strategic security, and Af- now, and unfortunately there may be ber of our colleagues, especially those ghanistan is merely a poster child for another 300 or 400 of our brave men and on the other side of the aisle, will prob- how the rest of our global security, as women losing their lives for something ably be hearing from their constituents well as our homeland security, has suf- that again is not accomplishing those about their concerns about the current fered. There is not one army unit here at goals, and we are spending another $40 course in Iraq, the failure of this ad- home, not one, Army, Guard, Active billion or $50 billion, I think a lot of ministration’s strategy, with the surge Guard or Reserve, that is in a state of and the way things have been handled, Americans are saying, what could we readiness, that is committed to deploy the numerous mistakes, both strategic do with that amount of money? What anyplace in the world, as was said ear- could we do with those lost lives back and implementation and in conception lier, to any contingency elsewhere, here at home, those lost lives, the lost have deeply, deeply hurt us. from Korea to the Western Pacific, to I know the American people, as we opportunities for the families and men help our other forces. Nor are we en- are here in Congress, especially in dis- and women fighting for us? gaged in this world where the true cen- I know when I think about Florida cussions with Democratic Members on ter of gravity, strategic gravity for the where I am from, they already have 139 the Armed Services Committee, are United States is over the next decade, men and women killed. We have had deeply concerned that American readi- the Western Pacific, nor in Southeast 1,196 severely injured. These are our ness, that our readiness to deal with Asia, nor in the Middle East. neighbors. These are our friends. other conflicts that may arise, not be We have walked away from a strat- We had just tragically this past jeopardized, and we are going to take egy of engagement in this world as we week, a young man, 25 years old, Dan- important steps and have taken impor- have narrowed down to a conflict that iel Agami, who, unfortunately, was tant steps to improve the readiness is a civil war in one country. We need killed recently by, of course, an IED. I that has been hurt by these deploy- to step back and look at Iraq. Not as know that every one of us in this ments in Iraq. itself alone, but as a piece in our stra- Chamber, and I think out there in the At some point we are going to talk a tegic template of how we look at the country, they have been through this little bit more about what it has meant security environment across this loss. They understand what that neigh- for our veterans, but we have been world. Therefore, we need a change in bor, that nephew, that son, that daugh- joined by another distinguished col- this strategy. ter, what it means. league who I would like to introduce. It is not about getting out of Iraq, as A lot of Americans haven’t been real- JOE SESTAK, a member of the class of you well said. It is not just about re- ly affected by this war because maybe 2006 from Pennsylvania, came to this turning our troops home. It is about a the numbers are not as significant as Congress with an extraordinarily dis- proper redeployment of our forces in they were during Vietnam or during tinguished career, serving our country order to enhance the security of Amer- World War II. But it is an American. in the military in the Navy. ica. Every loss of life is an American, and I He is a gentleman who understands I am not anti-war. I am pro-security. think we all share that sense of feeling military, military matters, military And the Democratic approach to this is and, of course, that empathy for the operations. He is deeply committed to one that recognizes and should recog- families. American strategic interests and is in nize with the Republicans, because we The question we are raising now, of the forefront of those in the Demo- need them and they need us, to define course, the national commitment we cratic Caucus who are intent on seeing the end of what President Bush said on have to fight wars is there. The a new direction in Iraq. 10 January would not be an open-ended strength and understanding our mili- I would like to now turn it over to commitment. tary always has to be at the ready. But you, JOE SESTAK. We need to define that end as a cer- we should also understand that when Mr. SESTAK. I appreciate that from tain date, a specific date, approxi- we do fight wars, that we need to win, my colleague from New Hampshire. mately a year, that says to everyone in succeed, do whatever is necessary, but, I want to comment upon what all that region that behavior now has the at the same time, be smart about it. three of you brought out, and I thought incentive to change, because we will no Accomplish the goals that we have and brought out well. I would like to speak longer be in Iraq providing the polit- recognize that in this dangerous world about it from my experience. ical and military cover for this civil that we live in today, in this present I remember being on the ground in war to continue to simmer as the poli- strategy that President Bush has exe- Afghanistan 2 months after that war ticians in Iraq, failing to step up to the cuted and is unwilling to change to began. I had the opportunity during a plate because they are pursuing their this point in time, we have made our- very short period of time to see what personal fiefdoms, their personal ambi- selves weaker in other theaters, in needed to be done. I left, brought back tions in the 32 ministries that they other places around the world. That is an aircraft carrier battle group for that run, as we provide their security. unacceptable to me. It is unacceptable war. Then we brought that battle group And of great importance is Iran. to every person I would imagine who is into the Persian Gulf for what we When I was there with Senator HAGEL

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jun 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28JN7.265 H28JNPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE June 28, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7427 a few months ago, everyone talked people, who are a generous, compas- dicting, in their view, won’t occur be- about the undue influence of Iran. Why sionate and patient people, have been cause the Iraqis have had a long his- not? We are in there bleeding, and that deeply yearning for, is a real discussion tory of tribal conflict even within the country wants us to bleed profusely. of the kind we are having now, that Saddam Hussein regime. And remem- But if we were to set a date certain and points the way towards American secu- bering that Iraq was forged in 1916 out to lead with confidence and engage rity. Because, as you point out, we of separate tribal entities by the Brit- Iran and Syria, to bring them to the have created, unfortunately, more in- ish and French in a grand deal, there table, our most senior political leader, stability in the Middle East. has been an undercurrent of these ten- U.S. political leader in Iraq said in re- b 2130 sions, which the tribal leaders, they be- sponse to a question, Iran does not lieve, are going to work out. want a failed state if we redeploy. And now, however we got into it, we Personally, I believe ultimately It may not want the government we have to make the best of a bad situa- there will be a political solution in Iraq want, but it does not want a failed tion because we are all in this to- that the Iraqis must determine for state. It doesn’t want the 2 million gether. That is the spirit with which themselves. Our military presence can- Iraqi refugees there that have not al- we as Democrats are trying to talk to not impose a political solution; only ready overflowed Iraq’s borders to con- our Republican colleagues. they can. In my view, based on the re- tinue to flow over Iran’s. Nor does it There has been a lot of name-calling search that I have done and based on want a proxy war between it, the Shi’as on the floor. They call us cut-and-run discussions with experts in the region, in Iran supporting the Shia in Iraq, and and say this and that and the other I think it is highly likely that Iraq will the Sunnis in Syria supporting the thing. But as you have so well put, we devolve into some kind of autonomous Sunnis in Iraq. Once we are out, they are talking about a strategy. Strategy regions, perhaps three autonomous re- don’t want that war to ensue. is the key word. It means a strategic gions. In Kurdistan, one representing So, what this future plan is to be redeployment to protect American se- the Sunnis, one representing the Shia, about is a redeployment to enhance curity. who then use the central government America’s security by focusing where If we just step back for a moment, I for certain federal purposes, but one we need to in this world, beginning want to share some of the thoughts of which recognizes, as their constitution with Afghanistan, and a readiness here a very esteemed retired general, Gen- wants to go to, that a political solu- at home to bring it back up, to remain eral William Odom, who addressed us tion, trying to hold together this gov- in that region on bases we already have recently about the situation there. He ernment which isn’t working, won’t and had before the conflict with troops said, Look at the situation we are in. work for them, and they will find once there in Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, the Our troops are in a sea of hostile peo- we are gone and they no longer have us United Arab Emirates, with a carrier ple, approximately 7 million in num- as a crutch, they will find the political battle group and amphibious ready ber, and growing in hostility every day. solution they need to carry their coun- group, and then deal with strength as Fully 80 percent of the Iraqis want the try forward. we safely redeploy over a year’s period, occupation to end. Fifty percent of And if we, as a true world leader, re- approximately. Because it took 6 them think badly enough about us that deploy strategically and wisely and months to redeploy out of Somalia they would sanction violence against then use our diplomatic resources to with approximately 8,000 troops. Americans. bring neighbors, allies, friends, reunite We have got 160,000 in Iraq and over We are surrounded in Iraq by un- a real coalition in the world to help, we 100,000 U.S. civilian contractors to safe- friendly nations, Iran and Syria. We may be able to have the kind of result ly redeploy. As we do this with a date have problems with Hezbollah in Leb- of a stable state that will help us not certain and incentive to change the be- anon; Hamas and new issues for Israel. only in the region but around the havior of the Iraqis so they step up to Israel’s security has been threatened world. And it is what the American the plate, knowing they must assume by the instability in the Middle East people want. responsibilities, it brings the Iranians because, unfortunately, our misadven- It is this kind of discussion and this and Syrians together, with us remain- ture in Iraq has emboldened Islamic kind of thinking that the President ing in the region, to have a strategy jihadists in the region. It has not made ought to be having with his generals. I that leads to diplomacy, so that there us more safe, but has grown the Islam hope that as we sit here tonight talk- is an accommodation for a non-failed jihad movement. It has been the best ing about Iraq, and as we prepare to re- state. A region we have our interests recruiting device they have had. turn home for July 4, I hope that Presi- in, we will remain there, and a state So he understands the importance of dent Bush is in the White House and I that has brought the parties together what to do when American troops find hope he is talking to his generals about under the incentive of a date certain to themselves caught in the middle of not what the plan ought to be for a stra- work towards stability. one civil war, as he put it, but in the tegic redeployment. But I fear that he I appreciate being able to make these middle of multiple civil wars. He ad- is not doing that at this point. comments which tonight’s discussion I dressed the concern, which is a valid Mr. ALTMIRE, why don’t I throw it believe have really pointed us towards concern on the part of all of us, of what over to you. a strategic approach to a date to rede- will happen in Iraq when we redeploy Mr. ALTMIRE. I was struck in hear- ploy. in a planned strategic way. People are ing my Pennsylvania colleague, the Mr. HODES. I thank you for those concerned. What will we leave? gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. comments. Coming from someone with We have a government at this point SESTAK), I believe the highest ranking the kind of military experience you which is essentially not working. It is military officer ever elected to Con- have, they ring especially true. hardly a unity government. They can’t gress; and so much of the rhetoric that You know, often on the floor of the get themselves together to have their revolved around the discussion that House of Representatives, what we army stand up or get the ministers to this House had on Iraq was, you guys have experienced in our first 6 months work together. They seem to have fall- don’t have any experience, you don’t is political rhetoric that masks some of en into tribal allegiances. know what you are talking about. All the deeper, more complex and nuanced But what General Odom pointed out you want to do is tie the hands of the issues that really are worthy of discus- in recent discussions with experts in generals on the ground, and you need sion in deciding as a nation how to the region, including generals of coun- to leave this up to the experts. move forward. tries whom we have worked with, they What we have heard tonight is an ex- It is really what the American people have pointed out that it is highly like- pert, one of the military’s foremost have been asking, not only of us here ly that when we leave Iraq, when the military experts that we are fortunate in Congress, but especially of their American troop presence, which is the to have not only in this House of Rep- President, their Vice President, the cause, in their view, of much insta- resentatives, but in our freshman class leaders in the White House, who have bility, is gone, that Iraq—it is not with us. been responsible for this unfortunate going to be great, but the kind of cata- We heard a strategy for success, and failed policy. And what the American clysmic events that people are pre- we heard someone who has been there

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jun 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28JN7.267 H28JNPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE H7428 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 28, 2007 and seen it firsthand. What struck me floor, we look to each other for advice. spread out in Iran. Iran is a threat, in was the fact that the President has We learn from each other. having a nuclear weapon, to Israel and probably had these discussions, and he I know I have spoken to you on a to other countries in the Middle East, has probably had people come to him number of occasions to get your advice, and for the same reason, to the United and offer solutions. Maybe not the to be an informed Member of Congress, States. identical solutions that Admiral and I do appreciate that because I This is a serious issue. This is where Sestak has, but differences of opinion. think you not only have that lifetime our foreign policy and military And the problem is, this administra- of experience serving in the military, strength and the sharing of intel- tion has not shown a willingness to lis- but as a leader, an admiral in the mili- ligence and confidence with other al- ten to differences of opinion. tary, you have the high level of under- lies around the world, where we have I talked about it earlier. Generals are standing of all the issues we are dis- always historically, American Presi- reassigned if they come in with a dif- cussing right now. Of course, it is not dents have always led, and we made ference of opinion. Public opinion cer- the end-all, be-all, but it is a tremen- sure that we had that authority. And it tainly doesn’t matter. The facts on the dous resource for all of us. was in our country’s best interests. ground certainly don’t matter. One of the committees that I serve But today we find ourselves in a I was watching earlier, and I don’t on is Foreign Affairs, and that com- place because we are mired in Iraq know if you had the opportunity to mittee is responsible for working with where many countries around the walk through some of the facts of what the President and the State Depart- world are not prepared to share that is going on on the ground in Iraq right ment on our foreign policy, whether it goal of nuclear containment. This is now. We hear a lot of things on TV is in the Western Hemisphere, Hugo something that we need to focus on. about, is the surge working, is it not Chavez in Venezuela, or in the Middle This is another reason why we have to working. I will let my colleagues de- East or Russia or China. extricate ourselves in a responsible cide. Our country has been consumed with way from a war that is not achieving In November of 2003, the number of terrorism since we were attacked on our national security interests, and insurgents in Iraq was 5,000. That is a our shores by Osama bin Laden. One of refocus our attention on nuclear weap- pretty high number. In March of 2007, the biggest frustrations we have as ons that may be developed in Iran, and the most recent month for which data Americans, the most powerful nation make sure that we are doing the right is available, there were 70,000 insur- in the world with the highest level of thing to protect the American people. gents in Iraq as estimated by the information and intelligence and reach Mr. HODES. Thank you. Brookings Institution. So 5,000, 4 years around the world, the fact that Osama Admiral SESTAK, we have a few mo- ago; 70,000, today. bin Laden is still on the loose is beyond ments left. I turn it over to you for The number of multifatality bomb- imagination. Every American should some of your closing thoughts and then ings in May of 2004 was 9; in May of demand that that should have been and I will wrap up. 2007, last month, it was 42. To me that should continue to be a top priority. Mr. SESTAK. If I may add onto com- does not indicate that we are making I am pointing that out for a reason. ments made by the gentleman from progress or there is a light at the end That reason is, we took our eye off the Florida (Mr. KLEIN), the lack of a strat- of the tunnel. And the numbers of peo- ball when we got involved in this in the egy of engagement by this administra- ple killed, both civilian and American first place. That has been discussed and tion where it became focused and stuck servicemen, we talked about that ear- we understand that. But that doesn’t in Iraq has hurt our security tremen- lier, it is exponentially more now. mean that today we shouldn’t still be dously. We outsourced our leadership Clearly, we need a new direction, and focusing on where the real threat is. during that period of time to others. we need people like Admiral Sestak, The threat relates to al Qaeda and North Korea went to China. We gave like anyone who is willing to take a Osama bin Laden and his henchmen. Iran to the European Union. And I hard look at this and offer an alter- The threat relates to nuclear weapons. can’t tell you who we gave the Middle native solution, like the Iraq Study These are the significant challenges of East to. Group. This is a group of experts who our day. They are challenges as it re- Let’s step back and look at what has got together, spent a great deal of time lates to Russia and loose nuclear weap- occurred. A conflict in the Middle East studying this issue, making very ons. They are challenges as it relates where our Secretary of State stopped thoughtful recommendations to the to North Korea and containing North by for a photo-op and continued down, American people, to the White House, Korea. in the midst of that conflict, to South- and they were promptly disregarded. There was an interesting story that east Asia for a conference. Not only were they disregarded, but Reuters produced. It talked about the Iran, bent now upon a nuclear weap- the course of action that they rec- estimated number of nuclear weapons on. And North Korea, as you ref- ommended, diplomacy with the other that were likely to have been produced erenced, during that period of time as actors in the region, a training force by North Korea during the last 6 years they called General Powell back, who rather than an offensive force, these of the Bush administration. This is a tried to continue the negotiations that are things that we are going in the rogue country by many discussions, by the Clinton administration had left the exact opposite direction. We didn’t just the United Nations and countries Bush administration with an agreed discard it, we have gone opposite to around the world, that has a nuclear framework not to have a nuclear reac- what they recommended. weapon, possibly seven nuclear weap- tor continue to produce fissile mate- I would say once again that this dis- ons that we know of, all within the last rial. And a missile moratorium. They cussion is healthy. We have four of us 6 years, which tells us once again that now at least have seven more nuclear here that have opinions, and there are we took our eye off the ball of dealing weapons, if they care to build them. a lot of opinions, and that is the way it with the true threats. should be. I would agree with the gen- This is not a question of whether b 2145 tleman from New Hampshire (Mr. North Korea is going to shoot off an And they’ve exploded one of them. HODES) that I hope the same type of ICBM towards the United States. This And they’ve broken the missile mora- discussion is taking place on the other is not a stable country and may pro- torium and only belatedly have they end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Unfortu- vide that nuclear weapon to other actually gone back now and agreed to nately, that does not seem to be the groups, organizations, countries. That the same agreement that the Clinton case. is a threat. That is where our focus administration had. Mr. KLEIN of Florida. I agree with should be. Iraq is a different situation. Iraq is such a tragedy. Iran, when you, Mr. ALTMIRE. Just the title ‘‘ad- We take a look at Iran and what we General Ikenberry was leaving, our miral’’ speaks of such respect that we know about Iran at this moment. three-star general from Afghanistan, have for Representative SESTAK. Those There are an estimated number of cen- he was asked, does Iran work toward of us who did not have the privilege of trifuges in Iran, in their main nuclear our interest there? The answer was yes. serving in the military, as you can facility producing reactor-grade ura- You want stability in Afghanistan. It imagine, there are 435 of us on the nium. There may be 1,300 of these doesn’t want the Taliban there or al

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:08 Jun 29, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K28JN7.269 H28JNPT1 hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMHOUSE June 28, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7429 Qaeda. So we step back and say engage, And I am so proud to stand with you 2340. A letter from the Principal Deputy engage with consequences Iran, Syria, all as Members of the 110th Congress to Associate Administrator, Environmental give them a date that we won’t be in help lead this country in a new direc- Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- that state of Iraq and they with Iraqis cy’s final rule — Imidacloprid; Pesticide Tol- tion and be the kind of world leader erance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0968; FRL-8135-5] and Saudis and Jordan must step up so that the American people expect and received June 19, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. we can be about this world and ensure deserve. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agri- our security elsewhere. That’s what Thank you very much and good culture. this debate is about. night. 2341. A letter from the Principal Deputy Mr. HODES. I thank all my col- Associate Administrator, Environmental f leagues, Mr. SESTAK and Mr. ALTMIRE Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- from Pennsylvania, Mr. KLEIN from LEAVE OF ABSENCE cy’s final rule — National Emission Stand- ards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Florida. It has been a truly interesting By unanimous consent, leave of ab- discussion tonight focusing on strat- Sources: Acrylic and Modacrylic Fibers Pro- sence was granted to: duction, Carbon Black Production, Chemical egy, the complexity of a world that has Mr. ABERCROMBIE (at the request of Manufacturing: Chromium Compounds, changed but which Democrats are fac- Mr. HOYER) for today after noon. Flexible Polyurethane Foam Production and ing with boldness and leadership to Mr. MCNULTY (at the request of Mr. Fabrication, Lead Acid Battery Manufac- help take our country and the world in HOYER) for today on account of a fu- turing, and Wood Preserving [EPA-HQ-AR- a new direction, to reverse the damage neral of a war casualty from the dis- 2006-0897; FRL-8330-1] (RIN: 2060-AN44) re- that’s been done by the administration ceived June 19, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. trict. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and and reassert our role as a leader in this Mr. POE (at the request of Mr. world on our principles and our values, Commerce. BOEHNER) for today after 6:45 p.m. on 2342. A letter from the Principal Deputy not merely our military might but account of official business. Associate Administrator, Environmental only using our military might in serv- Mr. GILCHREST (at the request of Mr. Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- ice of the good judgment our leaders BOEHNER) for June 25 and 26. cy’s final rule — Approval and Promulgation exercise in the pursuit of peace. of Implementation Plans; North Carolina: As we leave for our July 4 recess, I f Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Winston- want to leave us with this thought. The SPECIAL ORDERS GRANTED Salem Areas Second 10-Year Maintenance Army says that it will leave no soldier Plan for the Carbon Monoxide National Am- By unanimous consent, permission to bient Air Quality Standard; Clarification behind. And as we discussed here to- address the House, following the legis- night, the Democrats in Congress have [EPA-R04-OAR-2005-NC-0002-200538C; FRL- lative program and any special orders 8328-6] received June 19, 2007, pursuant to 5 committed to leaving no veteran be- heretofore entered, was granted to: U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on En- hind. We have voted and passed the big- (The following Members (at the re- ergy and Commerce. gest increase in Veterans’ Administra- 2343. A letter from the Principal Deputy quest of Mr. YARMUTH) to revise and Associate Administrator, Environmental tion spending for health care and need- extend their remarks and include ex- ed services in this country’s history. Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- traneous material:) The chart I have here shows in dra- cy’s report on Audit Policy: Frequently Mr. MCDERMOTT, for 5 minutes, matic form what has happened over the Asked Questions for 2007; to the Committee today. on Energy and Commerce. past few years. From 2003 to 2008, the Ms. WATERS, for 5 minutes, today. 2344. A letter from the Chairman, Council VA is treating many, many more Iraq Mr. HINCHEY, for 5 minutes, today. of the District of Columbia, transmitting a and Afghanistan war veterans. We’ve copy of D.C. ACT 17-61, ‘‘Cigarette Stamp Mr. DEFAZIO, for 5 minutes, today. been in a conflict where our soldiers Clarification Temporary Act of 2007,’’ pursu- Ms. KAPTUR, for 5 minutes, today. have been deployed, redeployed, rede- ant to D.C. Code section 1-233(c)(1); to the Ms. WOOLSEY, for 5 minutes, today. ployed and redeployed again, two Committee on Oversight and Government Mr. SARBANES, for 5 minutes, today. times, three times, four times. Whereas Reform. Mr. ELLISON, for 5 minutes, today. 2345. A letter from the Chairman, Council compared to World War II, when their Mr. YARMUTH, for 5 minutes, today. of the District of Columbia, transmitting a active duty tours were 180 days, they’re Mr. SESTAK, for 5 minutes, today. copy of D.C. ACT 17-62, ‘‘District of Columbia now seeing 15 months, wreaking havoc (The following Member (at the re- School Reform Property Disposition Clari- on the soldiers and their families at fication Temporary Amendment Act of 2007,’’ quest of Ms. FOXX) to revise and extend the same time. As General Odom put it pursuant to D.C. Code section 1-233(c)(1); to today, they’re experiencing cata- his remarks and include extraneous the Committee on Oversight and Govern- clysmic events every day, new kinds of material:) ment Reform. 2346. A letter from the Clerk of the House injuries, polytrauma, traumatic brain Mr. REICHERT, for 5 minutes, today. f of Representatives, transmitting the annual injuries, PTSD have created great com- compilation of personal financial disclosure plexity in our VA system. ADJOURNMENT statements and amendments thereto filed So as we go out on July 4, I would Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, pursu- with the Clerk of the House of Representa- ask us all to think about what sup- tives, pursuant to rule XXVI, clause 1, of the porting our troops really means. In my ant to House Concurrent Resolution House Rules; (H. Doc. No. —43); to the Com- view, supporting our troops means em- 179, 110th Congress, I move that the mittee on Standards of Official Conduct and ploying and following a course that is a House do now adjourn. ordered to be printed. 2347. A letter from the Fiscal Assistant real, smart, strategic effort to protect The motion was agreed to; accord- ingly (at 9 o’clock and 50 minutes Secretary, Department of the Treasury, American security by redeploying our transmitting the Department’s March 2007 troops from the middle of a civil war in p.m.), pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 179, 110th Congress, the ‘‘Treasury Bulletin,’’ pursuant to 26 U.S.C. which they don’t belong, number one. 9602(a); jointly to the Committees on Ways That is truly supporting our troops, be- House adjourned until Tuesday, July and Means, Transportation and Infrastruc- cause they are owed the policy that the 10, 2007, at 2 p.m. ture, Natural Resources, Energy and Com- civilian leaders should be following. f merce, Education and Labor, and Agri- culture. That is what our troops are owed and EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, our veterans are owed when they come ETC. f home, the best that we can give them. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON No more broken promises from the Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from the PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS White House. No more broken promises Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of from the Republicans who have cut the Speaker’s table and referred as follows: 2339. A letter from the Principal Deputy committees were delivered to the Clerk budgets time and time again, who have for printing and reference to the proper cut health care in the VA, who have Associate Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agen- calendar, as follows: imposed fee increases on our veterans. cy’s final rule — Lactofen; Pesticide Toler- Mr. LANTOS: Committee on Foreign Af- No more. We will leave no veteran be- ance [EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0178; FRL-8132-9] re- fairs. H.R. 2420. A bill to declare United hind. The Democrats promise that. We ceived June 19, 2007, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. States policy on international climate co- have followed through on our commit- 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Agri- operation, to authorize assistance to pro- ment. culture. mote clean and efficient energy technologies

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