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June 14, 2006
 
Abercrombie: Iraq rule "ties hands" of
withdrawl proponents 


L to R: Reps: Ron Paul, Wlater Jones,
Neil Abercrombie and Marty Meehan
 
Washington, DC -- Appearing at a news conference today with his hands bound in rope, Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) said restrictive debate rules for a resolution on the Iraq War “tied the hands” of Members of Congress who want a full and open discussion of the conflict.

 

The leadership, acting yesterday through the House Rules Committee, refused to allow Abercrombie and others to offer an amendment to House Resolution 861, which calls for U.S. forces to remain in Iraq indefinitely.

 

Abercrombie’s proposed amendment was based on House Joint Resolution 55, a bipartisan measure sponsored by himself, Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Ron Paul (R-TX), Martin Meehan (D-MA) and others.

 

House Joint Resolution 55 calls on the President to announce a plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, with withdrawal to begin no later than October 1, 2006.

 

“The American people deserve a full and open debate on Iraq, and that’s what’s missing with House Resolution 861,” said Abercrombie.  “It’s nothing more than an endorsement of the Bush Administration’s policy, with no discussion of alternatives allowed.  We want to let the House consider and vote on a full range of options, but our hands are tied. The House leadership said earlier that it would allow an unfettered discussion, and it’s disappointing to see this restrictive rule governing the debate.”

 

Abercrombie has filed a discharge petition to bring House Joint Resolution 55 to the House floor under terms that would allow an unlimited number of amendments to be considered.

 

 

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