[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 21, 1994]



                              {time}  1710
 ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENTION TO OFFER PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION UNDER HOUSE 
                                RULE IX

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I am here to announce my intention to offer a 
privileged resolution under House Rule IX.
  Mr. Speaker, the form of my resolution is as follows. It is titled 
``House Resolution Calling for Congressional Debate and Authorization 
for U.S. Occupation of Haiti.''

House Resolution Calling for Congressional Debate and Authorization for 
                        U.S. Occupation of Haiti

       Whereas for months prior to the September 19, 1994 
     occupation of Haiti by U.S. military forces, President 
     Clinton and members of his Administration publicly and 
     repeatedly threatened a military occupation of Haiti; and
       Whereas the Speaker's refusal to schedule floor debate on 
     the impending occupation of Haiti led to the occupation of 
     Haiti without Congressional consideration or authorization; 
     and
       Whereas the need for immediate Congressional consideration 
     of Haiti policy is clear, inasmuch as the thousands of U.S. 
     troops in Haiti without Congressional authorization could be 
     required to defend themselves at any moment, without notice, 
     thus initiating hostilities; and
       Whereas immediate Congressional consideration of Haiti 
     policy is further required by the impending October 15 
     deadline for the departure of the Haitian military leaders, 
     inasmuch as noncompliance would in all likelihood prompt the 
     thousands of U.S. troops now in Haiti to immediately commence 
     offensive military operations; and
       Whereas the continued refusal of the Speaker to schedule 
     floor debate to consider the scope of, and authorization for, 
     U.S. military operations in Haiti deprives the House 
     collectively of its prerogatives under Article I of the 
     Constitution; and
       Whereas the continued refusal of the Speaker to schedule 
     floor debate to consider the scope of, and authorization for, 
     U.S. military operations in Haiti deprives the House 
     collectively of its authority to speak on such important 
     questions of policy; and
       Whereas the refusal of the Speaker to consider the scope 
     of, and authorization for, U.S. military operations in Haiti 
     effectively requires each Member of this body to abdicate his 
     or her responsibility to debate and vote upon such important 
     questions of policy, and therefore has brought scorn and 
     ridicule on the House collectively; and
       Whereas there are no exigencies of secrecy or surprise that 
     would prevent the House from considering these issues; and
       Whereas the House is scheduled to adjourn in a matter of 
     weeks, and failure of the Speaker to schedule floor debate to 
     consider the scope of, and authorization for, the U.S. 
     military occupation of Haiti will effectively commit our 
     nation to occupy Haiti for nine months or more without 
     Congressional authorization; and
       Whereas the extraordinary and heroic commitment of U.S. 
     service men and women in the current military operation 
     requires from the U.S. Congress a high level of 
     responsibility and attentiveness in policymaking towards 
     Haiti; and
       Whereas Rule IX of the House of Representatives provides 
     that a privileged motion shall be in order to protect the 
     rights and dignity of the House collectively and of members 
     individually,
       Resolved, That the Speaker should immediately schedule a 
     debate and vote upon the scope of, and authorization for, the 
     U.S. military occupation of Haiti.

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