[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 142 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  NOTICE OF INTENTION TO OFFER PRIVILEGED RESOLUTION REGARDING UNITED 
                  STATES MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN HAITI

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce my intention to offer a 
privileged resolution under rule IX.
  The SPEAKER. The gentleman will state the form of the resolution.
  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, the form of the resolution is as follows:
  A House resolution calling for Congressional debate and authorization 
for the United States occupation of Haiti.
  Whereas for months prior to the September 19, 1994, occupation of 
Haiti by United States military forces, President Clinton and members 
of his administration publicly and repeatedly threatened a military 
occupation of Haiti; and
  Whereas the Speaker's continued refusal to schedule floor debate on 
the impending occupation of Haiti led to the occupation of Haiti 
without congressional consideration or authorization; and
  Whereas even now, long after the occupation of Haiti, without 
congressional authorization, the Speaker has refused to schedule debate 
and votes; and
  Whereas the need for immediate congressional consideration of Haiti 
policy is clear, inasmuch as the thousands of United States 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 United States 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, United States 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, United States 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, United States 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 days, and 
failure of the Speaker to schedule floor debate to consider the scope 
of, and authorization for, the United States military occupation of 
Haiti will effectively commit our Nation to occupy Haiti for 9 months 
or more without congressional authorization; and
  Whereas in colloquy on the House floor on September 28, the majority 
leader, Mr. Gephardt, undertook in behalf of the Speaker to schedule a 
Haiti debate and vote today or tomorrow, which would encompass: First, 
legislating objective criteria for the Haiti mission; second, the 
wisdom of occupation as a policy; and third, authorization of funding 
for the Haiti mission, and identification of sources of that funding; 
and
  Whereas the extraordinary and heroic commitment of United States 
servicemen and women in the current military operation requires from 
the United States 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 shall immediately schedule a debate and 
vote upon the scope of, and authorization for, the United States 
military occupation of Haiti, including,
  One, the wisdom of a policy of occupation;
  Two, specific objectives for the Haiti occupation, if it is approved 
in concept, so that success or failure can be measured objectively;
  Three, the cost of the Haiti occupation, and authorization of funding 
therefor;
  Four, identification of specific sources of occupation funding, if 
funding is approved;
  Five, the cost of foreign aid incident to the Haiti occupation, and 
authorization of funding therefor;

                              {time}  1810

  Seven, if an extended occupation is not approved, alternatively a 
procedure or date or other provision for the withdrawal of United 
States troops from Haiti.
  Eight, the enactment of procedures for reports to congressional 
leadership on the military situation in Haiti while Congress is 
adjourned sine die.
  Nine, enactment of procedures to reconvene the Congress for further 
consideration of Haiti policy in the event of an outbreak of minor 
hostilities.


                         parliamentary inquiry

  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Skaggs). The gentleman will state it.
  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, my understanding, under rule IX, is that I will 
be able to call up this resolution for consideration no later than 
Thursday. It would be my intention not to do so if, as I have discussed 
with the majority leader recently on the floor today, the Haiti debate 
in the manner that I have described actually commences tomorrow.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Speaker has the prerogative as to when 
to schedule the matter within the 2-day limit.
  (Mr. SOLOMON asked and was given permission to proceed out of order 
for 1 minute.)


                            debate on haiti

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, to clarify the recent statement by the 
Speaker, the Committee on Rules has not met on the Haiti issue. And as 
I understand it, there is a meeting scheduled for 1 o'clock tomorrow 
afternoon.
  That being the case, there would be no opportunity for this measure 
to be debated on the floor tomorrow.
  I think I heard the gentleman say that he had been assured that there 
would be a debate tomorrow on the floor on Haiti.
  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. SOLOMON. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, I did receive that assurance.
  Mr. SOLOMON. I would just suggest to the Speaker that perhaps he and 
the majority leader could get together and clarify this, because I 
understand that Members will be off the floor tomorrow for a 
considerable time tomorrow because of a death of one of the members. We 
ought to be enlightened as to when this debate might take place. I do 
not believe it can take place on Wednesday, tomorrow, in view of the 
fact that the Committee on Rules will not even meet on it until late 
tomorrow.

                          ____________________