Political Quotes

“I rise in opposition to H. Res. 1194, mainly because this legislation reads like an authorization to use force in Lebanon. As the key resolved clause of H. Res. 1194 states: Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- * * * * * (6) urges-- (A) the United States Government and the international community to immediately take all appropriate actions to support and strengthen the legitimate Government of Lebanon under Prime Minister Fouad Siniora; This language is eerily similar to a key clause in the 2002 Iraq war authorization, H.J. Res. 114, which read: (a) Authorization--The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to-- (1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; I find it outrageous that this legislation, which moves us closer to an expanded war in the Middle East, is judged sufficiently ``non-controversial'' to be placed on the suspension calendar for consideration on the House Floor outside of normal parliamentary order. Have we reached the point where it is no longer controversial to urge the President to use ``all appropriate actions''--with the unmistakable implication that force may be used--to intervene in the domestic affairs of a foreign country? Mr. Speaker, the Arab League has been mediating the conflict between rival political factions in Lebanon and has had some success in halting the recent violence.”