The Public Record
This Friday will be the 10th anniversary of our troops being committed to Afghanistan. This commitment by the previous administration and Congress was justified because bin Laden and al Qaeda were responsible for 9/11. But now bin Laden is…
Thank you, Madam Speaker. You know, Madam Speaker, it is so ironic that the American people are hurting in many, many ways, including those in my district from Hurricane Irene which did damage all of the way up to Vermont, the fires in…
Like all my colleagues, I was home during the August break, accepting opportunities to speak at civic clubs, at town forums, and I did speak to a couple of military retiree groups. Every time that I would make the statement that it is time…
On Tuesday, the House passed H.R. 2560, the Cut, Cap, and Balance bill. I was amazed by the $120 billion approved to fund the war on terror. I, like many of my colleagues, agree that we must continue to fight terrorism, but I do not…
I am once again on the floor of the House with a picture of children who have lost a loved one in Afghanistan. Eden and Stephanie Balduf, shown here at Arlington Cemetery, lost their father, Sergeant Kevin Balduf, on May 12 of this year…
I plan to come to the floor at least once, maybe twice a week until we get our troops home from Afghanistan. I do that because I have the privilege to represent the Third District of North Carolina, the home of Camp Lejeune Marine Base…
On the floor today I think America and all of us in Congress are certainly concerned about the debt ceiling issue and what we are going to do and how we are going to be able to resolve it. But like many of my colleagues on the Democratic…
I join in this effort. I tell you, without any pride but with humility, that this past weekend I signed 31 letters to families and extended families who have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and in Iraq. At this time I have signed over…
Monday I had the honor and the humbling experience of visiting Walter Reed Hospital. I met three young men that all three have lost both legs above the knees. And actually, one of them I engaged about Afghanistan, and he, with his wife…
National syndicated columnist Eugene Robinson recently wrote a piece titled, ``Afghan Strategy: Let's Go.'' It appeared in the June 11 Raleigh News and Observer. I would like to share some of Mr. Robinson's thoughts with the House. He…
I thank the gentleman from Ohio for introducing this resolution. It is just so ironic that on May 26, a CNN poll found that the majority of the American people, 55 percent, believe Congress, not the President, should have final authority…
Like most of my colleagues in the House, on Memorial Day I had the privilege to speak to two different groups down in the Third District of North Carolina, which I represent. One of the events comes to mind down in Beaufort, North…
Like most of my colleagues, I had the opportunity to speak to a number of veteran groups on Memorial Day in my district. As always, I was very humbled when I stand before those who have fought for this Nation and the families whose loved…
On May 9 this year in an article in The Wall Street Journal--the title is ``Mission Accomplished''--the article stated al Qaeda is no longer based there in Afghanistan and the Taliban must be beaten by Afghans themselves. This is why it is…
On rollcall No. 270 I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.'' ____________________
As many people know, and I do not say this with pride, but for years, I've been signing letters to the immediate and extended families of those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. I have signed over 9,966 letters. It is a constant reminder to…
Last Tuesday, Congresswoman Sue Myrick and I went to visit the wounded at Walter Reed. These trips are always a vivid reminder of the true cost of war. Seeing the men and women who have lost limbs for this country make we wonder how many…
A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to vote to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. It was Mr. Kucinich's resolution that many of us hoped that my party would have joined. We only had eight Republicans vote to bring our troops…
I yield myself 3 minutes. Mr. Speaker, first I would like to say to every Member that has been on the floor that served in our military, thank you and God bless you, as I say all the time to those who are overseas for this country. Because…
How much time do I have remaining? The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from North Carolina has 3\1/2\ minutes remaining.
I am grateful that we are having this debate from both sides, those that want to stay there for another 4 or 5 years versus those of us who would like to bring our troops home. I want to put a face on this debate if I may, Mr. Speaker…
We will be debating this probably in 2015 or 2016. If I am not here, somebody else will be, because that is how long we are going to be there. This general that served in the Marine Corps that has advised me for 11 months, back in November…
I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Kucinich) for yielding me half of his time, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. {time} 1110 Mr. Speaker, we are debating how long we are going to be in Afghanistan. Recently…
The gentleman from California, I have great respect for him in many, many ways. We talk about we've got to enhance the governance of Afghanistan. Well, this is President Karzai's quote from March 12, 2001. I have read it before, but I want…
At the present time, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul). (Mr. PAUL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
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