Bob Menendez: “Finally, Mr. Speaker, there is another grave and gathering threat to the United States. It is the threat of economic…”

“Finally, Mr. Speaker, there is another grave and gathering threat to the United States. It is the threat of economic insecurity at home that leaves us ill-poised to have the resources to prosecute the multiple wars the President has asked us to pursue. A war against Iraq could be a dangerous blow to our fragile economy at this time. It is a grave and gathering economic threat to the self-confidence and stability of American families who have already seen their retirement security squandered by corporate crimes and their children's educational savings squandered by the blows to a market at 4-year lows. But to these threats, we have heard no drumbeat, only silence. Mr. President, we stand with you in defense of the United States, but we cannot sign on to a blank check that has no clear exit strategy, that will leave us all but alone in the world community, and that will strain our ability to deal with other security challenges that we may simultaneously face. And that sets an unwise precedent that will be paid with the lives of thousands of young Americans.”