Christopher Shays: “Today, we're here to consider a resolution about corruption in Iraq. Mr. Davis attempted to present an alternative to…”

“Today, we're here to consider a resolution about corruption in Iraq. Mr. Davis attempted to present an alternative to the resolution, but it was blocked by my Democratic colleagues. The Democratic version provides a one-sided view about corruption in Iraq and Department of State efforts to counter corruption. The other version by Mr. Davis accepted the Democratic points but also presented the rest of the story. Whatever happened to compromise and bipartisanship? It never ceases to amaze me what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will do to get votes and keep the support of their base. We all know the Democratic base wants the United States to get out of Iraq; however, the Democrats have not been able to prevent President Bush from carrying out his new and winning strategy in Iraq, so they continue to try to find other means to undermine our efforts to stabilize Iraq. For example, they've held hearings on Blackwater, the contractor accused of shooting into crowds of civilians. Although this oversight is justified and needed, my colleagues are using the results of this hearing as a tool to drive a wedge between the American people and the administration's efforts to stabilize Iraq.”