John Larson: “Thank you, Mr. Meeks, and also let me thank my colleagues across the aisle for the solemnity of the debate that has…”

“Thank you, Mr. Meeks, and also let me thank my colleagues across the aisle for the solemnity of the debate that has taken place over these last several days. I think it is so important to the constituents that we are sworn to serve, and they deserve to hear the voices that reside within the people's Chamber. This debate, in so many ways, is an echo chamber for what Americans already know. They have found their voice and expressed it in several manners and several forms, most notably in last November's election, where they called for a new direction for this country, not the staying of the course that it is currently on. It is long overdue then that the Congress find its voice as well. Past is prologue, and we must go back to June of 2002 when the President enunciated the Bush doctrine, the doctrine of preemption and unilateralism that has placed us in this situation that we have today in Iraq. He was warned, most notably by people like Scowcroft, Eagleberger, Baker, and Colin Powell about the folly of this effort.”