On the recordDecember 11, 2014
Mr. Speaker, on August 8 of this year, we went to war with ISIL. Since that day, we have launched over 1,700 airstrikes, we have put thousands of men and women in harm's way, we have committed billions of dollars, and the President has said this effort will take years. Many of my colleagues and I have waited patiently for Congress to deliberate on the Authorization for Use of Military Force; yet all of these months later, we have not had a single debate. We recessed this summer without debate. We passed a defense bill last week without debate. And now, once again, we are leaving town without debate. Mr. Speaker, it is the duty of this Congress to make determinations of war and peace, and we are shamefully ducking this responsibility. America deserves better. ____________________
