House Minority Leader John Boehner has brought to the floor a privileged resolution to censure Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) for his outrageous comment last week that the President was sending soldiers to Iraq to die for his amusement. The Democrats counter-attacked with a motion to table Boehner’s resolution. The Dems succeeded and Stark will not be censured.
Here’s the Boehner Resolution:
Stark rose on a point of personal privilege and apologized to the president and the troops. His apology rings hollow. He should have been censured.
Privileged Resolution offered by Republican Leader John Boehner Censuring Congressman Pete Stark (D-Calif).
Raising a Question of the privileges of the House.
Whereas, United States soldiers and personnel in Iraq are fighting to protect innocent Americans from being attacked by al-Qaeda and radical jihadists who are determined to kill the American people.
Whereas on October 18, 2007, in debate on H.R. 976, Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, the Member from California, Mr. Stark, stated: “You don't have money to fund the war or children. But you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement.”
Whereas, on October 18, 2007, in a press release, Rep. Pete Stark is quoted as saying: “I respect neither the Commander-in-Chief who keeps them in harms way nor the chickenhawks in Congress.”
Whereas the Member from California, Mr. Stark, engaged in personally abusive language toward the President and Members of the House, including the use of language that impugns their motives.
Whereas, the Member from California, Mr. Stark dishonors not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the thousands of courageous men and women of America’s armed forces who believe in their mission and are putting their lives on the line for our freedom and security.
Whereas the Member from California, Mr. Stark, has failed to retract his statement and apologize to the Members of the House, our Commander-in-Chief, and the families of our soldiers and commanders fighting terror overseas.
Resolved, that the Member from California, Mr. Stark, by his despicable conduct, has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House and merits the censure of the House for the same.
Resolved, that the Member from California, Mr. Stark, is hereby so censured.
