Chuck Hagel: “I will address the Graham resolution first. I think therein lies the most significant difference between the Graham…”

“I will address the Graham resolution first. I think therein lies the most significant difference between the Graham amendment and the Hagel amendment. The Graham amendment is a sense-of-the-Senate resolution. The Hagel amendment is a piece of legislation that, if enacted, would have the force of law. I wish to also address an issue that has developed some credibility in this debate in the last 2 days and that is that Congress has no role in this. I have heard some of my colleagues talk about micromanaging the war and micromanaging the Defense Department. We do have a Constitution. If you look at article I of the Constitution, section 8, I will read a sentence or two from that regarding the issue of what the role of the Congress is. Certainly, I think most everybody knows that only the Congress can declare war and raise money for our Armed Forces. More to the point, it says Congress has the responsibility 'to make Rules for the Government and Regulations of the land and naval Forces.'”