John Larson: “I once again thank distinguished members who will be joining me here on the floor to continue a process that was begun…”

“I once again thank distinguished members who will be joining me here on the floor to continue a process that was begun by Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Kucinich, and Mr. Inslee called The Iraq Watch. This was formed in the spirit of understanding, as I think the Nation has come to understand, that within this Beltway and within this Nation and specifically here in Congress, that we have one-party rule. The Republican Party controls the administration and all of its agencies, it controls the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and in the process, has stifled opportunity for oversight and review and a thorough discussion on the pressing issue of Iraq that concerns the entire American republic. I commend my colleagues for having initiated The Iraq Watch. This evening, as in others, we start with an acknowledgement that, fortunately, because of the efforts of so many who have served in our military, we in Congress on both sides of this aisle have come to understand and differentiate between the war and the warriors, those brave men and women who serve our country on a daily basis and who are in harm's way in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and around this globe on our behalf. We come here because we desire an opportunity to speak truth to power.…”