Political Quotes

“the House was wise to prohibit yesterday's recommendation of the Rules Committee which was to consider the Gilman amendment setting a date--certain for withdrawing United States ground troops from Bosnia. I sympathize with those who demand closer and more comprehensive consultation with Congress before major commitments of U.S. military power are made. We are elected by the people to represent their interests. We control the purse strings. We have a constitutional role in participating in such important decisions. The issue of prior congressional consultation and approval of military action has been of long-standing controversy between Congress and the President. Democratic Congresses have had issues with Republican Presidents, Democratic Congresses have had disagreements with Democratic Presidents, and now the Republican Congress is demanding prior approval of military activity from a Democratic President. This issue needs a careful and thorough airing. It ought to be done in the proper forum with considerable thought. I would urge the authorizing committees to proceed with such a process. But having said that, we must also recognize that we are talking about affecting an ongoing, major operation on the ground in which over 8,500 U.S. troops and hundreds of other personnel are doing an important job in a very dangerous place. This is not just an academic, inside-the-beltway exercise about the role of Congress versus the President.”