[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 16137]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 THE WHITE HOUSE MUST PRODUCE ITS LEGAL JUSTIFICATION FOR DRONE STRIKES

  (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KUCINICH. Before Congress adjourns, this House will vote on my 
resolution of inquiry about the U.S.' use of drones.
  The vote will not be about the thousands of deaths of innocent 
civilians caused by drones, though that's important. It won't be about 
whether the drones are creating more terrorism. It won't be a vote to 
stop the killing of American citizens without due process guaranteed by 
the Constitution. It won't be about whether our ongoing use of drones 
constitutes violations of the Constitution and violations of 
international law.
  The vote will, however, be about something fundamental.
  We will determine whether or not Congress has the power to require 
the administration to release their still secret legal justification to 
use drones. In matters of the Constitution, in matters of war, ``trust 
us'' is neither sufficient legally, constitutionally, nor is it morally 
acceptable.
  I urge Members of the House to reclaim Congress' constitutional 
imperative by supporting H. Res. 819, the resolution of inquiry 
demanding the White House produce its legal justification for drone 
strikes.

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