[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
            THE ADMINISTRATION'S HAITIAN POLICY IS A MISTAKE

  (Mr. GINGRICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, the American people clearly do not believe 
that invading Haiti is worth the life of a single young American. The 
American people overwhelmingly believe that the administration's 
Haitian policy is a mistake. It disturbs me that after weeks of public 
relations, the Congress still is not doing anything to be on record. 
Let me quote from the Speaker during Desert Storm/Desert Shield. He 
said, ``If such a decision is taken, I think it would be incumbent on 
the President to seek the approval of the Congress.'' The Speaker said, 
``We must share in this decision. We have been elected to do it. The 
Constitution mandates it, and we would shirk our duty if we easily 
acquiesce in what the President decides.''
  The majority leader said, ``I think we could be in a constitutional 
crisis because the Congress feels very strongly that we should be 
involved in a debate and a vote on that issue. I hope that the 
President will come to the Congress and ask for a declaration of war, 
or an approval of the U.N. resolution.'' The majority leader went on to 
say, ``I think the Congress would show great displeasure with the 
President riding over the Constitution where it is at its clearest.''

                              {time}  1230

  I just think that the Congress, since this has become so public and 
is so clearly opposed by the American people, and is so clearly a risk 
to the lives of young Americans, I believe the Democratic leadership 
owes it to schedule, before anything happens, an up-or-down vote in the 
House.

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