On the recordMay 17, 2012
After 8 long and deadly years, we finally ended the war in Iraq. Hopefully, the war in Afghanistan is drawing to a close, but not nearly as quickly as I'd like. The last thing we can afford is to enter another military conflict that kills Americans, drains our Treasury, and undermines our national reputation and our national security. That's why I support this amendment. By sending a special envoy to Iran, we can take definitive steps to avoid war, giving diplomacy the best chance to succeed, and giving ourselves the best chance to keep Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. This is consistent with my SMART Security Platform, which demands that we explore every possible alternative to war, that we use peaceful conflict resolution whenever and wherever possible, that we make a renewed commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. So let's do the smart thing. Vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Prevent war. Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith), the ranking member of the committee.
