Bill Lee: “First, let me just say I rise in very strong support of the McGovern-Jones-Lee amendment. I want to thank the gentleman…”

“First, let me just say I rise in very strong support of the McGovern-Jones-Lee amendment. I want to thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for his strong, steady, and bold leadership on this issue and issues of war and peace. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is really simple. It would use the power of the purse to prevent funding for combat operations in Iraq and Syria unless an Authorization for Use of Military Force is enacted. We all agree that ISIL must be degraded and dismantled. Then why is Congress missing in action? The 2001 authorization was specific to 9/11. I voted against it because I knew it would be broadly interpreted, which it is. It is a blank check. {time} 1045 ISIL, though, did not even exist in 2001. Every day, more bombs fall, and the battlefield expands. We have already spent more than $10 billion. That is $615,000 per hour. Congress needs to show up for work, muster its courage, exercise its constitutional responsibility for debate, and vote on the ongoing war in Iraq and Syria. We owe nothing less to our brave men and women who are in harm's way. It is past time to force a debate and vote on this issue. Again, I thank the gentleman for his tremendous leadership and for continuing to beat the drum until we get this done.”