Haley Stevens: “Absolutely. Mr. President, I would say it falls under the concept of the Christian ethic. We are people who believe that…”

“Absolutely. Mr. President, I would say it falls under the concept of the Christian ethic. We are people who believe that you can be converted. You can be a nonbeliever and then become a believer. What is the difference between that and amnesty, between those people who may have been on the wrong side and then will come forward and belong to this new government? And if they pledge and demonstrate to do it, I think it is up to the Iraqis to determine when and how they become full-fledged citizens of the new democracy. But this amendment would have us say if they indicate they are going to grant amnesty to them, that is wrong. Amnesty ought to be a reward for a pledge of cooperation and support. In this context, the military context, I think you can go through history and find time after time after time where it was successful. But this amendment is a political amendment, and I am tired of these political things coming on the floor. The minute something comes in the paper, before it can even be corrected by the country, we have an amendment saying, oh, here, let's force the majority to vote against this amendment. Baloney. I am proud to vote against it. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.”