Ron Kind: “I unfortunately rise in opposition to this rule because I believe it is a missed opportunity for this Congress to…”

“I unfortunately rise in opposition to this rule because I believe it is a missed opportunity for this Congress to substantively have a say in the most important issue facing our country today and that is the course of the war in Iraq, but also our strategy in combating global terrorism. But instead of offering a real policy discussion, the Republican majority today offers a political document just before the fall elections. My question to my friends across the aisle is very simple. What are you afraid of? Why are you not allowing any other amendment to be offered during this 10-hour debate? Why are you not allowing our side to have an alternative resolution so we can get into the very troubling aspects of this administration's conduct of war in Iraq and our strategy on global terrorism. Many of us have grave concerns about how this administration has based its decisions in Iraq. These concerns are shared by many Americans and our constituents throughout the country today. Yes, we can kill Zarqawi, but are we defeating Zarqawiism? Many of us today have grave doubts. Yet, instead of having an open and honest debate, we get this charade. We deserve better. The American people deserve better. I encourage my colleagues to defeat this rule. {time} 1130 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would advise that the gentleman from Oklahoma has 6\1/4\ minutes remaining and the gentleman from Massachusetts has 2\1/4\ minutes remaining.”