Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), my colleague on the Rules Committee. Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule. And for the benefit of my colleagues, I want to be very clear about one of the implications of the language in this rule that is before us. {time} 1230 A vote for this rule is a vote to shut off the mechanisms of the War Powers Resolution for the next 2 months. If any Member of this House has any concerns about the ongoing military operations in Iraq, the potential of U.S. military airstrikes in Syria, or the possible introduction of U.S. combat ground forces into either country, then this rule will tie their hands for the next 2 months. If any Member introduces a privileged resolution under the terms of the War Powers Resolution, this rule freezes that resolution in place and stops the clock that would normally advance under the War Powers Resolution. It is perfectly clear that the House will not debate and vote on an authorization on Iraq at this time. Unfortunately, it is not clear if any vote will ever happen at any time in this House, even after we come back in November, even though there is a growing bipartisan consensus that such an authorization is needed. This rule freezes out each and every Member of this House from taking any action to move forward the possibility of a vote on Iraq or Syria under the terms put in place by the War Powers Resolution. On August 8, the U.S.…”