[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 19, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1961-H1962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONSTITUTION AND WAR IN IRAQ

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

[[Page H1962]]

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this is a very solemn time for 
this Nation. It is a solemn time for American families whose young men 
and women are facing danger in faraway shores. I think it is also a 
time when we grab hold of a document that has given us comfort for so 
many centuries, and that is the Constitution, and Mr. Speaker, I 
believe the Constitution demands that this Congress address the 
question of going to war with Iraq.
  It is delineated in the Constitution that the Congress is the 
institution to declare war, and so I think it is appropriate, Mr. 
Speaker, for the President to come to this Congress, similarly as was 
done in a faraway country with Prime Minister Blair, who discussed this 
with the Parliament on yesterday, a solemn decision, a question of war 
and peace, a choice of life over death, options other than war.
  Many of these issues can be discussed on behalf of the American 
people. Let us not be afraid to hear both support and opposition. That 
is what democracy is all about.
  My question is, is this Congress going to remain deadly silent on the 
question of going to war with Iraq?

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