Ken Calvert: “Congress has rarely been distinguished by its moral courage. But even grading on a curve, we can only describe this…”

“Congress has rarely been distinguished by its moral courage. But even grading on a curve, we can only describe this week's House debate on a vote of no-confidence in the mission in Iraq as one of the most shameful moments in the institution's history. On present course, the Members will vote on Friday to approve a resolution that does nothing to remove American troops from harm's way in Iraq but that will do substantial damage to their morale and that of their Iraqi allies while emboldening the enemy. The only real question is how many Republicans will also participate in this disgrace in the mistaken belief that their votes will put some distance between themselves and the war most of them voted to authorize in 2002. The motion at issue is plainly dishonest, in that exquisitely Congressional way of trying to have it both ways. The resolution purports to 'support' the troops even as it disapproves of their mission. It praises their 'bravery,' while opposing the additional forces that both President Bush and General David Petreaus, the new commanding general in Iraq, say are vital to accomplishing that mission.”