Steny Hoyer: “the most profound issue that this Congress must consider is whether or not to declare and prosecute war, whether or not…”

“the most profound issue that this Congress must consider is whether or not to declare and prosecute war, whether or not to send our Nation's sons and daughters into harm's way. A serious proposal has been made by the senior Member of this body, a Member who honorably served in the United States Marine Corps for nearly four decades, a Member who has served here for more than three decades, and a Member who has been one of our Nation's leaders on making our defenses the strongest they could be. That proposal raises legitimate and critical questions as to the prosecution of our Nation's war efforts in Iraq, efforts that I have always supported. It suggests an alternative course of action that deserves serious consideration and a full and fair debate. However, his proposal is not before us tonight. The Republican chairman of the Armed Services Committee offers a resolution to immediately withdraw our troops from Iraq. I don't support that. Mr. Hunter does not support it. He offers it to avoid serious consideration of the policy our country is pursuing and proposals for possible alternatives. The majority party's response seeks to deal with this issue in a way that trivializes our consideration of how to conduct this war effort in a manner best designed to attain success. As such, this resolution is beneath the dignity and responsibility of this institution and the Members of this body.…”