Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

February 22, 2007 issue

How They Voted

Here’s how U.S. Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-5) and Patrick McHenry (R-10) and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) voted recently. The Senate is in recess until Monday, February 26. The House is in recess until Tuesday, February 27.

In the House: Foxx and McHenry

Iraq War Policy Resolution—The House passed this nonbinding resolution disapproving of President Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq—Vote Passed (246-182, 6 not voting)

Virginia Foxx voted no; Patrick McHenry voted no

Small Business Tax Relief Act—The House approved this $1.3 billion package of small business tax breaks intended to be combined with the minimum wage increase— Vote Passed (360-45, 28 not voting)

Virginia Foxx voted no; Patrick McHenry voted no

In the Senate: Dole and Burr

Motion to Invoke Cloture; Sense of Congress on Iraq—The Senate rejected this motion to move to a final vote on this bill expressing opposition to President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq—Vote Rejected (56-34, 10 not voting)

Elizabeth Dole voted no; Richard Burr voted no

Continuing Appropriations Resolution, FY2007—The Senate gave final approval to this $464 billion bill funding government operations for the remainder of the 2007 fiscal year—Vote Passed (81-15, 4 not voting)

Elizabeth Dole voted no; Richard Burr voted yes

 

 

Our Representatives’ Comments on the Iraq War Policy Resolution

Both Virginia Foxx and Patrick McHenry expressed their views on the Iraq War Policy Resolution in advance of the House vote. The text of the resolution and our representatives’ comments follow:

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That--

(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and

(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.

Foxx: “Failure Is Not an Option”

America is at war with terrorists, enemies who do not wear a uniform, but nonetheless pose a threat of colossal proportions. These terrorists are focused on destroying Americans and all those who do not subscribe to their twisted version of radical Islam. Iraq is the central front in this Global War on Terror. Success in Iraq translates to a safer and more secure America.

The current war effort in Iraq has not been as effective as it could have been, with substantial setbacks and the tragic loss of American lives. Yet, there has been positive news in the Global War on Terror. America has not experienced an attack on our soil since 9/11. In fact President Bush recently outlined numerous attacks that have been prevented and spoke of real successes in defeating terrorism around the globe. Regrettably many of those successes go unnoticed or are classified. While there have been setbacks, there has been progress and Americans are safer at home because of these efforts.

It is important to recognize that the goal of a free and democratic Iraq is laudable in its intentions. Unfortunately, things that were not anticipated have occurred and we must adapt and embrace a new direction to accomplish this mission. I want to bring the troops home as soon as possible, yet at this juncture, that is not a wise option. We must finish the work in assisting Iraq in creating a fully functioning, self-reliant government. If this fails, the entire region and world will feel the horrific repercussions of spawning terrorism.

It is time to end the partisan bickering. We must support our troops and their mission and give them the tools and reinforcements necessary to achieve success. We are a nation at war, and we must unite to accomplish the long and difficult challenges that lie ahead of us. Victory is our only choice.

The central problem in Iraq currently is the sectarian violence between the Sunnis and Shiites. On February 22, 2006, the holiest Shiite site of worship, the Aslariya shrine in Samarra was bombed and destroyed. This was an intentional attack aimed at creating a civil war and was a major turning point in Iraq when sectarian violence rapidly increased with much of the violence focused in Baghdad.

Assessing the current situation, the generals on the ground realized the best solution to end the perpetual violence and to secure Baghdad would be to send more troops to restore peace and stability in Iraq’s capital. They have called for reinforcements to secure Iraq, to restore order and to continue rebuilding the military, political and economic sectors. American troops have also been given the authority to engage the enemy more aggressively, so that the death squads and bombings can be stopped. This change in direction was not drafted hastily or without deep scrutiny. Prime Minister Maliki, President Bush, top generals at the Pentagon and in Iraq agree that this is the best solution to the current situation. While Congress must recognize that there is only one Commander-In-Chief, this does not relieve Congress of its Constitutional obligation to exercise oversight.

Congress must assess the progress of this new direction and proposed solution. Republicans have called upon Speaker Pelosi to support the creation of a bipartisan select committee with equal party representation to exercise oversight of this new direction. In addition, Republicans have set forth a series of aggressive benchmarks allowing Congress and the American public to measure if progress is being made. These benchmarks come with the expectation that they will be met.

While an immediate fix to the current situation in Iraq is not feasible, to turn our backs on this severe and ever-growing threat to America would lead to an emboldened, more determined enemy. America currently faces an ideological clash of civilizations. We must adapt to challenges on the battlefield, finish the mission in Iraq, and accept nothing short of victory.

McHenry: “Voicing Opposition”

National security should be the highest priority of the U.S. Congress.

I talk with my constituents in Western North Carolina a lot about the situation in Iraq. We understand the challenges. The American people understand the challenges of this war. But we also know the consequences of quitting are too dire and too dangerous.

We know that leaving an unstable Iraq endangers Israel, other Western democracies, as well as our own national interests and our constituents here in the United States. The President put forward a plan that he and his generals believe will lead to a safe, secure, and stabilized Iraq. Let me repeat that—he put forward a plan—a plan of action, and a plan for success.

The Democrats, in response, put forward a nonbinding resolution. Now, this is "Washington Speak" for legislation that doesn't have the force of law. Now, the disturbing thing is not that it's a nonbinding resolution, but the message that this legislative tool sends. It sends a message not only to the American people, not only to the troops in the field, but to our allies around the world. And it emboldens our enemies.

This resolution says that, "At this time, the Democrats are not prepared to offer a new direction, a plan, or a solution for the challenges we face in Iraq." I offer this bit of wisdom to the Democrats: You must be the change you want to see. If the Democrats are serious about developing a new plan, then the right thing to do is submit it. In order to effect change, you have to put forward ideas for that change.

I ask the American people to imagine what it would be like if their representatives used this time to hammer out ideas and positive solutions. That's American ingenuity. That's the American way.

The Democrats say this debate is to send a message to the President. I'll tell you, I think he's heard you loud and clear. But let me give you a message from the battlefield from a friend of mine in Iraq. He says, "The argument over what got us to this point is a diversion. The problem is the present."  

[Reading from a letter] "The terrorists and would-be terrorists that have flowed into Iraq will not stand at the border and wave us good-bye and good luck. They understand our political system and weaknesses. They believe it's a war of endurance and we have shown repeatedly that we don't have the national will for prolonged engagement. Unfortunately, the political grandstanding has endorsed their belief and ensured the terrorists' bloody engagement until November 2008."

"The bottom line is that reinforcements will set the stage for success and we need political support for the endurance to continue this fight." That's from my friend in the battlefield.

The American people deserve better than this. We need a plan of action for results and success in Iraq.

Madam Speaker, you made your point—now where's your plan?