Benjamin Gilman: “I rise today to begin this historic debate on H. Con. Res. 42. The purpose of this resolution, which I introduced at the…”

“I rise today to begin this historic debate on H. Con. Res. 42. The purpose of this resolution, which I introduced at the Speaker's request, is to afford an opportunity for the House to participate in a decision whether or not to deploy our armed forces to Kosovo to implement the peace agreement now being negotiated at Rambouillet, France. The Congress has not only a right but a constitutional responsibility with respect to deployments of our armed forces into potentially hostile situations and, along with the Speaker, I believe that debating and voting on this resolution is an appropriate way for the Congress to begin to carry out this responsibility. Some Members of Congress have serious reservations about deploying U.S. Armed Forces to Kosovo as peacekeepers. Others strongly support the President's policy. In an effort to give the benefit of the doubt to our President, the text of this resolution does not criticize or oppose the proposed deployment to Kosovo. To the contrary, it states that 'the President is authorized to deploy United States armed forces personnel to Kosovo as part of a NATO peacekeeping operation implementing a Kosovo peace agreement.' The Speaker has stressed that this resolution is being offered without prejudice to the underlying question. We expect Members to vote their conscience on the resolution, in the solemn exercise of their responsibility as elected representatives of the American people.”