Maxwell Frost: “Mr. Speaker, the issues of war in Iraq and homeland security are among the most important issues that Members of this…”

“Mr. Speaker, the issues of war in Iraq and homeland security are among the most important issues that Members of this House will ever have to deal with. They are incredibly important to our constituents and, indeed, have implications worldwide. It is vitally important that every Member of this House, Republican and Democrat, freshman and committee chair, have an opportunity to be heard and have an opportunity to play a constructive and positive role in this process. It is of great frustration to me, for example, that we have not formally debated the war on Iraq since last October when Congress gave the President the authorization to go to war; this, notwithstanding the fact that American men and women are in harm's way and American citizens are paying for the war. I oppose the war and I still have great reservations about our policy, but the decision has been made and the brave men and women of our armed services are now in the field of battle. They deserve our gratitude, our respect, and our support. And whether you are for or against the war, these issues are too important not to be front and center in almost every discussion that we have in this Chamber.”