Congressional Record—House H7867

September 30, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H7867 clear, there will be much increased po- to expel him from Kuwait, but also Clinton administration for using U.S. troops tential for damage, and the rising sea when the President made the decision in what he called ‘‘nation-building.’’ levels will create more flooding from that we had achieved our objectives ‘‘I’m worried about an opponent who uses nation-building and the military in the same the storm surges. and we were not going to get bogged sentence,’’ he told a rally. ‘‘My view of the It is time for the United States to down in the problems of trying to take military is for our military to be properly work with other developed countries to over and govern Iraq.’’ prepared to fight and win wars—therefore, recognize the threat of global climate I am entering Mr. Connelly’s column (to) prevent war from happening in the first warming, to cooperate on solutions to in the RECORD. It is seattlepi.com. place.’’ reduce greenhouse gases. Future gen- Read it. What are we doing in Iraq if not ‘‘nation- erations will be grateful. Mr. Speaker, they may call it swag- building?’’ Enmeshed in Iraq, are we properly prepared to fight such crazies as the nuclear f ger in Texas, but we call it truth in weapon-equipped ‘‘Great Leader’’ of North Washington State. MARRIAGE PROTECTION Korea, Kim Jong II? Our Real Enemy: Two days after 9/11, AMENDMENT [From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sept. 29, 2004] President Bush declared: ‘‘The most impor- tant thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden. (Mr. PITTS asked and was given per- IN THE NORTHWEST: BUSH-CHENEY FLIP-FLOPS It is our No. 1 priority, and we will not rest mission to address the House for 1 COST AMERICA IN BLOOD minute and to revise and extend his re- until we find him.’’ (By Joel Connelly) Six months later, laying political ground- marks.) As George W. Bush has lately shown, the work for the Iraq war, the President said: ‘‘I Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, today we tactic of successfully defining your opponent don’t know where he is. I have no idea and I will debate and vote on an issue of crit- is to political conflict what occupying the really don’t care. It’s not that important. ical importance to our society: mar- high ground is to waging war. It’s not our priority.’’ riage. The Bush-Cheney campaign has gleefully The 9/11 Commission: The White House ini- The issue is whether we will stand labeled John Kerry a flip-flopper. But what tially opposed creation of an independent idly by as a few unelected judges rede- of Bush-Cheney flip-flops? They’re getting a commission to investigate causes of the 9/11 atrocities. A July 2002 statement read: ‘‘The fine the family for us, or if we will take lot less ink, but America is paying a price in blood. administration would oppose an amendment a stand and say enough is enough. The Little noticed, and worthy of lengthy con- that would create a new commission to con- best home for kids is with their mom sideration, is a speech delivered by then-De- duct a similar review (to Congress’ investiga- and dad. Children cannot do better fense Secretary Dick Cheney in 1992 to the tion).’’ than that, and we should not try to re- Discovery Institute in Seattle. The administration reversed course five define marriage. The words of our future vice president—de- months later. The bipartisan commission, in- cluding former Sen. Slade Gorton, R–WA, Unfortunately, some claim that this fending the decision to end Gulf War I with- out occupying Iraq—eerily foretell today’s distinguished itself at hearings and in its is an issue for the States. Indeed, it is findings and recommendations. if that is what was happening. It is not. morass. Here is what Cheney said in ’92: ‘‘I would guess if we had gone in there, I Homeland Security: In the fall of 2001 Sens. OHN MCCAIN, R–AZ, and JOE LIEBERMAN, D– Activist courts are circumventing the would still have forces in Baghdad today. J CT, proposed creating a Cabinet-level De- States in order to make this happen. We’d be running the country. We would not We would never debate it. The States partment of Homeland Security. have been able to get everybody out and White House press secretary Ari Fleischer would never debate it. The American bring everybody home. outlined the administration’s opposition in people would never debate. That is how ‘‘And the final point that I think needs to October 2001, saying Congress did not need to the activist groups and the activist be made is this question of casaualties. I make the director’s job ‘‘a statutory post’’ judges want it. States rights are mean- don’t think you could have done all of that and that ‘‘every agency of the government ingless if judges ultimately make the without significant additional U.S. casual- has security concerns.’’ ties. And while everybody was tremendously A year later, the Bush administration was decisions. impressed with the low cost of the (1991) con- Mr. Speaker, this House should pass flaying Sen. MAX CLELAND, D–GA—a Viet- flict, for the 146 Americans who were killed nam triple amputee—for allegedly being an the marriage protection amendment in action and for their families, it wasn’t a obstacle to creation of the department. Anti- and send it to the State legislatures for cheap war. Cleland ads showing Osama bin Laden and their ratification so the courts do not ‘‘And the question in my mind is how Saddam Hussein flashed across the TV become the final maker of family pol- many additional American casualties is Sad- screens of Georgia. icy. Kids do best with a mom and dad. dam (Hussein) worth? And the answer is not Such are this administration’s major na- that damned many. So, I think we got it tional security flip-flops. But other flips bear f right, both when we decided to expel him on our safety. CHENEY HAD IT RIGHT FIRST from Kuwait, but also when the president During the 2000 campaign, candidate Bush TIME made the decision that we’d achieved our ob- pledged to limit carbon dioxide emissions jectives and we were not going to get bogged into the atmosphere. It didn’t happen. The (Mr. MCDERMOTT asked and was down in the problems of trying to take over President promised to support—or at least given permission to address the House and govern Iraq.’’ sign—renewal of Congress’ 1994 ban on mili- for 1 minute and to revise and extend How—given what he said then—does Che- tary-style assault weapons. The Bush admin- his remarks and include extraneous ney get off challenging the judgment and istration didn’t lift a finger to extend the material.) strength of those who argue that we are ban, which recently expired. bogged down and shedding blood today? Out here on America’s ‘‘Left Coast,’’ can- Mr. MCDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, the Is Sadddam worth the lives of 1,046 (at last didate George Bush proclaimed himself a Vice President had it right on Iraq the count) dead Americans, and 7,000 injured steadfast free trader. Even today, Republican first time, and now we know that be- Americans? State Chairman Chris Vance hammers Kerry cause of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Dick Cheney posed the hard-nosed ques- as a flip-flopper on trade. newspaper columnist Joe Connelly. tions that should be asked by a president in How, then, to explain the President’s 2002 The Vice President was Defense Sec- time of war. George Bush is out on the cam- decision to slap tariffs of 8 to 30 percent on steel imports to the United States? (The tar- retary during the first Gulf War. Mr. paign trail boasting he’s hard-nosed because he didn’t ask how a ‘‘Mission Accomplished!’’ iffs were lifted after 21 months.) CHENEY told a Seattle audience in 1992 Answer: The steel-producing states of could unravel. that it was folly to spill American Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia have Kerry is taking a pounding from the re- 46 fought-over electoral votes in this year’s blood to try to get Saddam or try to lentless Republican machine. A GOP TV ad election. govern Iraq. This column ought to be shows Kerry windsurfing, with Strauss’ required reading before the Presi- ‘‘Blue Danube’’ waltz playing in the back- f dential debates. ground, as the voice-over claims the nominee b 1015 These are DICK CHENEY’s exact words has shifted positions ‘‘whichever way the in defending the first President Bush’s wind blows.’’ HISTORIC MEETING BETWEEN decision to leave Iraq and Saddam Hus- In case the ‘‘mainstream’’ media are inter- INDIA AND PAKISTAN LEADERS sein: ‘‘And the question in my mind is ested, or Fox News wants to balance its re- OFFERS HOPE porting to furnish a few moments of fairness, how many additional American casual- here are a few Bush flip-flops that might be (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina ties is Saddam worth? And the answer put before the voters: asked and was given permission to ad- is not that damned many. So I think Nation-Building: As a candidate, Dubya dress the House for 1 minute and to re- we got it right, both when we decided traveled the land in 2000 denouncing the vise and extend his remarks.)

VerDate Aug 04 2004 03:04 Oct 01, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K30SE7.005 H30PT1 H7868 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 30, 2004 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. DROUGHT RELIEF national coalition is getting smaller, Speaker, a historic meeting took place (Mrs. MUSGRAVE asked and was that our burden is getting larger, and this past Friday in New York City be- given permission to address the House our casualties are rising at an alarm- tween Indian Prime Minister Singh and for 1 minute and to revise and extend ing rate. Pakistani President Musharraf. This her remarks.) That is the reality in Iraq, the re- was an important step toward bringing Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, as ality that our dedicated troops deserve about a peaceful ending to disputes we approach the end of this legislative to be told by those sending them into over Kashmir and fears of nuclear con- session and I near the end of my fresh- harm’s way. The American public flict in the region. man term, I am amazed by the power needs to know what is happening in Both India and Pakistan have been this body has when it wants to act Iraq. This administration is failing to strong allies of the United States in quickly. The speed at which recent do that. the war on terror and Secretary of emergency funding for hurricane vic- f State Colin Powell should be thanked tims passed just goes to show what can MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE for playing a significant role in bring- be accomplished in Congress and how ing these leaders together. This is the quickly. The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. MIL- latest example of positive progress in Serving my rural district in Colo- LER of Florida) laid before the House South Asia and the Middle East, rado, I come to the floor this morning the following privileged message from thanks to the leadership and support of to urge action on funding for victims of the Senate: President George W. Bush and his ad- another major natural disaster, our 6- In the Senate of the United States, September ministration. year drought, which has devastated 20, 2004. This month the world’s largest Mus- farmers and ranchers throughout the Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to request the return of (H.R. 4567) entitled ‘‘An lim nation, Indonesia, had its first di- West. This is a matter of importance rect democratic election of a president, Act making appropriations for the Depart- that is not being reported on the 24- ment of Homeland Security for the fiscal and earlier this year Libya voluntarily hour cable news networks or capturing gave up its program to develop weap- year ending September 30, 2005, and for other front-page headlines across the Nation purposes.’’, in compliance with a request of ons of mass destruction. Additionally, because it is not a sudden, horrific the Senate for the return thereof. millions of Muslims have been liber- force like hurricanes; but it is very Attest: ated by coalition forces from brutal re- critical nonetheless. EMILY J. REYNOLDS, gimes in Afghanistan and Iraq and now When I am at home on the weekends, Secretary. will build a civil society which protects I see the devastation firsthand. I see The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without American families. the worry and the anxiety. I see the objection, the request of the Senate is In conclusion, may God bless our detriment this natural disaster is im- agreed to, and H.R. 4567 will be re- troops and we will never forget Sep- posing on the local small town econo- turned to the Senate. tember 11. mies. Recently, the other body in- There was no objection. f cluded $3 billion for drought relief in f TONIGHT’S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE the Department of Homeland Security REPORT ON RESOLUTION PRO- (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked bill. To my colleagues here in the House, VIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF and was given permission to address H.R. 5183, SURFACE TRANSPOR- the House for 1 minute and to revise I urge support of this funding for drought relief. Floridians boarded up TATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2004, and extend her remarks.) PART V Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. before their natural disasters. Let us Speaker, I briefly rise, as well, to join make sure rural Colorado does not Mr. REYNOLDS, from the Com- my colleague in acknowledging the after theirs. mittee on Rules, submitted a privi- leged report (Rept. No. 108–710) on the meeting between the Prime Minister of f India and, of course, the President of resolution (H. Res. 811) providing for Pakistan asking for their fellow coun- IRAQ consideration of the bill (H.R. 5183) to trymen and -women to understand the (Ms. DELAURO asked and was given provide an extension of highway, high- importance of aspiring for peace for permission to address the House for 1 way safety, motor carrier safety, tran- their people. minute.) sit, and other programs funded out of But I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, today’s the Highway Trust Fund pending en- really ask my colleagues and the Washington Post tells us that the ad- actment of a law reauthorizing the American people what tonight’s debate ministration recently curtailed the dis- Transportation Equity Act for the 21st should really be about. This debate has tribution of reports by contractor Kroll Century, which was referred to the been almost poised as a contest be- Security International that show in- House Calendar and ordered to be tween two warriors. In fact, I believe creasing violence in Iraq. The article printed. this is a debate for the American peo- goes on to say that the Pentagon is f ple. The question should be asked, why sponsoring a group of Iraqi Americans WAIVING REQUIREMENT OF were the American people told that we to speak at military bases throughout CLAUSE 6(a) OF RULE XIII WITH needed to go to war for the weapons of the United States to provide ‘‘a first- RESPECT TO CONSIDERATION OF mass destruction that did not exist? hand account of events in Iraq.’’ That CERTAIN RESOLUTIONS Why have some thousand-plus of our is to say, the administration is sending young men and women and family Iraqi exiles, mostly people who may Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by di- members died in Iraq when there was not have been to the country in years, rection of the Committee on Rules, I no basis for this war? Why did the to tell our troops just back from Iraq call up House Resolution 807 and ask President not seek a constitutional the ‘‘good news’’ about how things are for its immediate consideration. vote for this war? Why are there thou- going there. The Clerk read the resolution, as fol- sands of wounded lying in our hospitals I imagine some of these exiles are the lows: and we do not even know if the vet- same people who told Deputy Defense H. RES. 807 erans hospitals will remain open? Secretary Wolfowitz that we would be Resolved, That the requirement of clause The question is, who can lead us for- greeted as liberators upon arriving in 6(a) of rule XIII for a two-thirds vote to con- ward, and the answer is JOHN KERRY. Iraq. These are two more examples of sider a report from the Committee on Rules That is what this debate is about, what an administration in denial of what is on the same day it is presented to the House will the American people want for their actually going on in Iraq, an adminis- is waived with respect to any resolution re- ported on the legislative day of September future and I can assure you it is not tration unhinged from reality. If these 30, 2004, providing for consideration of a bill and should not be a litany of untruths emissaries of the administration were to provide an extension of highway, highway from their national government; they going to tell our troops the truth about safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and simply want the truth. Iraq, they would say that the inter- other programs funded out of the Highway

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