Roy Blunt is Coming to OH-05

This just in...

WASHINGTON- Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) will host House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) on a tour of alternative energy facilities in the Fifth District on Wednesday, August 20th. During the visit, Latta and Blunt will visit three sites that encompass an “all of the above” energy policy that House Republicans have laid out in H.R. 6566, the American Energy Act.

The three site visits will include:

-First Solar Energy, Perrysburg, manufacturer of solar panels

-AMP-Ohio JV6, Bowling Green, a 3.6 megawatt wind turbine facility featuring the only four wind turbines in the State of Ohio

-Bowling Green State University, Center for Photochemical Sciences

“It is an honor to host Congressman Blunt in the Fifth District and showcase the alternative energy initiatives taking place in our area. This visit is a perfect working example of an ‘all of the above’ energy policy that House Republicans are working to pass in Congress as we speak,” Latta said.

“These facilities are just another example of the type of alternative fuels that Republicans in Congress are on the floor promoting everyday,” Blunt said. “We need an all of the above energy strategy and Bob is helping lead this fight on behalf of the American people day in and day out.”

Tax and Spend Democrats Are At It Again

I don't remember where, but one of the lefty bloggers in the Ohiosphere had noted that there wasn't much being said by rightys on the AMT issue. Well, I've been a bit busy, but have been following the issue somewhat; so here goes... I'll start with what the Republican leadership is saying and then I'll close with some commentary of my own.

Rep. Blunt:

"Leave it to this majority to take a bill that's supposed to extend temporary AMT protection to the middle-class, and turn it into a bill that imposes a permanent tax of $81 billion on our economy. But not only is the policy at the center of this legislation irresponsible, the political games Democrats have decided to play in advancing it will prove equally devastating.

"After all, this is a bill the Senate wants nothing to do with, and one the president would veto if ever given the chance. The longer Democrats wait to work with Republicans on producing a genuine AMT fix, the greater the chances as many as 50 million Americans will experience significant delays in receiving their tax refund checks. This is money that many people depend on, and budget for, to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. But if we can't get a real patch through by next week, those delays - according the IRS - will be impossible to avoid.

"Republicans believe in providing tax relief across the board, as an end in its own right. Democrats may also believe in cutting some taxes for some Americans, but only if it means they're allowed to raise taxes on everyone else. As the deadline for action rapidly approaches, Democrats must put forth a real plan to save 23 million Americans from the indiscriminate net of the AMT. They can do that by passing a clean AMT patch before the Thanksgiving break so the president can sign it into law."

Rep. Boehner:

“Today’s $81 billion tax increase – the first installment of the $3.5 trillion Mother of All Tax Hikes – will never become law, and the Majority knows it. That’s because it’s a backdoor way of permanently taxing entrepreneurs who create family-wage jobs. The Senate won’t support it, and the President won’t sign it. The Majority insisted on today’s exercise in futility instead of acting with urgency on a bipartisan solution to protect middle-class taxpayers. Congress already has waited for months to begin addressing the AMT problem. We shouldn’t wait even longer to protect middle-class families from this punitive and onerous tax that they were never meant to pay in the first place.

“As a result of these delays, 50 million Americans will have Congress to thank when they have to wait weeks or months longer than normal for their tax refunds to arrive next year. Worse yet, if Congress continues stalling on an AMT fix, 23 million Americans will be forced to pay a tax they’ve never before had to face. Congress should stop playing political games and pass a clean AMT patch before Thanksgiving so the President can sign it into law.”

As usual, you can count on Democrats to make a lot of noise that diverts attention away from their true intentions. This time, Democrats are trying to make it appear that they are interested in giving the middle class a tax cut -- a tax, I should add, that the middle class was NEVER intended to ever pay anyway -- while actually raising taxes on the very people who the proposal was supposed to protect. It is typical behavior from the "most open and ethical Congress in history" and that goes to explain why the Pelosi/Reid Congress has such abyssmal approval ratings.

All but eight Democrats went along with this charade. Congressman Boehner is right: the Senate will not be interested in this and even if they are, the President would never sign this prescription for economic disaster. This is a stunt, like SCHIP, designed to be played out in the media as Republicans behaving badly; but like SCHIP, when the American people are told the facts, they figure out just who is playing the games. Look for this to backfire on the House Democrats once again...

If Democrats were serious about eliminating the AMT, they would have put up a bill that did just that. Republicans would support a clean bill that eliminates the AMT and that is why the Democrats refuse to stop playing politics long enough to reduce your tax bill.

Republican Principles for Bipartisan Reauthorization of SCHIP

From the inbox...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today issued the following statement supporting President Bush’s veto of a partisan bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and joined other Republican leaders in unveiling principles for a bipartisan renewal of the program to expand access to quality health care for low-income children:

“Republicans are committed to reauthorizing SCHIP in a manner that puts poor children first, and we have outlined clear principles we hope can guide a bipartisan renewal of this critical program. The Republican Congress created SCHIP a decade ago to give millions of low-income, American children access to high-quality health care – not as a trial balloon for government-run health care or as a way to provide government benefits to adults and upper-income families who can afford private health insurance.

“Republicans will sustain this veto so we can begin working toward a bipartisan renewal of SCHIP that helps states provide health care to low-income children. We now face an important choice: either we all work together to renew this program or continue to play politics on the backs of our nation’s children. If Congress is truly serious about reauthorizing SCHIP, then a vote to override to President’s veto will come to the House floor immediately – not days or weeks from now – and we can begin working to craft a bipartisan, responsible bill that puts low-income children first. To drag out this process any longer would only serve to underscore the fact that some lawmakers are more concerned with partisan politics than they are with expanding health care access for low-income children.”

NOTE: Boehner, Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX), and Ways & Means Committee Ranking Member Jim McCrery (R-LA) today unveiled the following principles for a bipartisan reauthorization of SCHIP:

SCHIP Must Serve Eligible Low-Income Children First

Republicans believe we must focus on the original intent of the program: cover low-income children first.

SCHIP Should Not Force Children Out of Private Health Insurance

Republicans believe SCHIP should not replace or significantly impact those who already have private health insurance with a government run program.

SCHIP Should Cover Low-Income American Children

Republicans believe citizenship verification standards are critically important to ensuring that only U.S. citizens and certain legal immigrants are allowed access to taxpayer-funded benefits.

SCHIP Funding for Low-Income Children Should be Stable

Republicans believe SCHIP should cover low-income children without using budget gimmicks that put the program in jeopardy.

Families Ineligible for SCHIP Should Have More Health Care Choices

Republicans believe low-income and middle-class families need more health care options--like premium assistance programs--to purchase affordable, high quality health plans that best meet the needs of their families.

When Democrats get around to proposing a sensible position on this, Republicans WILL support it. Until then, let's stop pretending that it is Republicans who are taking resources away from American kids in need...

Boehner Hails House Vote Condemning MoveOn.org Ad Defaming General Petraeus

This just in...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) highlighted the efforts of House Republicans today after they forced a vote on a measure affirming the House’s support for General David Petraeus and condemning the slanderous attack on the General by MoveOn.org which appeared in the New York Times. Democratic leaders had previously refused to allow a floor vote on the measure, which passed by a bipartisan vote of 341-79. Boehner issued the following statement:

“Because the leaders of the current majority had refused to allow a vote on this important resolution, House Republicans took action to force an up-or-down vote today. General Petraeus and the men and women of our armed forces deserve our strongest support, and while the measure passed with significant bipartisan support, it is troubling that so many Democrats still voted to condone this attack defaming the General. Every member of this Congress should stand firmly behind our troops and commanders in the field, who are putting their lives on the line on a daily basis to protect our freedom. The despicable attack ad run by MoveOn.org in the New York Times against General Petraeus deserves to be condemned by all members of this House.

NOTE: House GOP leaders have asked Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to schedule a vote on the resolution (H.Res. 644) authored by Boehner to condemn the ad, but they had refused. The Senate passed a similar resolution last week. Just last Thursday, Leader Hoyer told Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) asked that “I don’t having any intent at this point in time to bring up that resolution.” Today House Republicans forced an up-or-down vote on the House floor by offering a motion-to-recommit to the Continuing Resolution.

The text of the motion-to-recommit resolution follows:

Motion To Recommit

House Joint Resolution 52

Mr. LEWIS moves to recommit House Joint Resolution 52 to the Committee on Appropriations with instructions to report the same back to the House forthwith with the following amendment:

At the end of the joint resolution, insert the following new section:

Sec. 150. (a) Congress makes the following findings:

(1) General David H. Petraeus was confirmed by a unanimous vote of 81-0 in the Senate on January 26, 2007, to be the Commander of the Multi-National Forces-- Iraq ;

(2) General David H. Petraeus assumed command of the Multi-National Forces-- Iraq on February 10, 2007;

(3) General David H. Petraeus previously served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-- Iraq , as the Commander of the NATO Training Mission-- Iraq , and as Commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during the first year of combat operations in Iraq ;

(4) General David H. Petraeus has received numerous awards and distinctions during his career, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the State Department Superior Honor Award, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, and the Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm; and

(5) The leadership of the majority party in both the House of Representatives and the Senate implored the American people and Members of Congress early in January 2007 to listen to the generals on the ground.

(b) It is the Sense of the Congress that the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the service of General David H. Petraeus, as well as all other members of the Armed Forces serving in good standing, in the defense of the United States and the personal sacrifices made by General Petraeus and his family, and other members of the Armed Forces and their families, to serve with distinction and honor;

(2) commits to judge the merits of the sworn testimony of General David H. Petraeus without prejudice or personal bias, including refraining from unwarranted personal attacks;

(3) condemns in the strongest possible terms the personal attacks made by the advocacy group MoveOn.org impugning the integrity and professionalism of General David H. Petraeus;

(4) honors all members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel serving in harm's way, as well as their families; and

(5) pledges to debate any supplemental funding request or any policy decisions regarding the war in Iraq with the solemn respect and the commitment to intellectual integrity that the sacrifices of these members of the Armed Forces and civilian personnel deserve.

Let's see how this one turns out...

UPDATE: If I am not mistaken, this is the roll call vote on this one. 341 Congressmen condemned MoveOn.org today... Of the 79 who didn't, I find Dennis Kucinich, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and Tim Ryan...all Democrats from Ohio. Zach Space got one right for a change...I guess he's just solidifying his "Bush Dog" cred...

Boehner & Blunt: House Vote to Pass Republican Motion Barring Taxpayer Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Must Stand

From the WMD Mailbag:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) today issued the following statement following a meeting with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC):

“This morning we discussed with the Majority Leader and Majority Whip our concerns about a pattern of behavior by the majority leadership during the past seven months that has resulted in actions being taken that disenfranchise Members and defy the will of the people they represent. This pattern culminated in a serious incident last night during consideration of a Republican motion-to-recommit that sought to send the agriculture appropriations bill back to committee so it could be rewritten to prevent taxpayer-funded benefits from going to illegal immigrants.

“A majority of the House last night voted to pass this Republican proposal, which deals with an issue of great importance to American taxpayers. But the Democratic leadership, which wanted a different outcome, overruled the vote and declared that the motion had actually failed. In our view, this was an astonishing and unprecedented abuse of power, defying the will of the people and trampling on the very fabric of American freedom and democracy.

“As we told Majority Leader Hoyer and Majority Whip Clyburn this morning: Republicans won last night’s vote, and the evidence shows we won. The vote on last night’s vote should stand at 215-213, and the bill should be sent back to committee to be amended as the motion passed by the House specified.

“This morning the Majority Leader acknowledged mistakes were made, offered his apologies, and offered to discuss the matter with the Republican leadership, but he did not express a willingness to accept the true outcome of last night’s vote. While Republicans appreciate the dialogue and are continuing to discuss the matter with our Democratic counterparts, the right course of action is for the Democratic leadership to respect the will of the House and the American people by allowing the actual vote to stand.

“We are resolved that with the exception of legislation responding to the collapse of the Minnesota bridge and legislation closing the terrorist loophole in the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act [FISA], the House should not proceed with work on any other business until last night's vote to deny taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants is restored.”

Emphasis added.

In this article from The Hill, it looked like Republican Leader, my Congressman, and a Great American -- John Boehner -- was a bit too eager to get back to business instead of taking this fight on... I am proud to say that it looks like there is some fight left to be fought here and Boehner is going to lead his troops.

About that Farm Bill that Raises Taxes and Puts Jobs at Risk

Tom Blumer and I talked about the implications of the Farm Bill on the TIB All Stars Show on Saturday night. One of the things that we hashed out was that the pieces put out by Republican Leader, my Congressman, and a Great American -- John Boehner -- and his staff didn't exactly spell out what the Democrats are up to and how they are doing it. Surely, Team Boehner got the results of this legislation out there, but Roy Blunt has the best explanation I've seen yet about what this bill really does. Here is the statement from a press release on Friday:

"The Farm Bill emerged from the Agriculture Committee this year with a unanimous vote -- a product of hundreds of hearings, months of exhaustive research, and a bi-partisan commitment to ensuring our agricultural sector remains the envy of the world. It was a bill that took great care to address the needs of American farmers, and because of that, it was a bill I was eager to support. But that wasn't the legislation we voted on this afternoon.

"Instead, Democratic leaders took a seminal piece of farm policy and used it as a vehicle to raise taxes -- both on foreign companies who invest capital in America and create jobs here, and domestic energy producers who explore for natural gas in the deepest waters offshore. In doing that, Democrats turned a bill that would have sailed through this House and grabbed the attention of the Senate into yet another partisan campaign to raise taxes, displace jobs, and render America less competitive abroad.

"Even with that, the bill before us includes a number of good provisions -- provisions that will strengthen the family farm and ensure it remains the backbone of our nation's agricultural economy. As this bill moves on to the Senate, and at some point, comes back to the House, I will continue to support a comprehensive farm policy that recognizes the challenges and importance of modern-day farming, and unlocks new markets for producers in Southwest Missouri and beyond."

It is the final paragraph of the release that is the most effective:

The tax hike included in the newest version of the majority's Farm Bill would raise taxes on foreign companies operating inside the United States, potentially driving millions of American jobs out of the country. These companies employ more than 5.1 million of our citizens, with an average compensation per worker of $63,428 a year.

Emphasis added.

In the video clip below, Republican Whip Blunt is on Fox News w/ Neil Cavuto discussing the Democratic endgame for passing appropriations bills.



Previously on WMD:

Rep. Gillmor: Democrats’ Farm Bill Puts Ohio Jobs at Risk

Boehner Offers Farm Subsidy Reform Amendment to Save Taxpayers $3 Billion

Previously on the Butler County Bugle:

Democrat Job-Killing Tax Could Eliminate 1,200 8th District Jobs

UPDATE: Earlier today, I said this:"

John Boehner -- and his staff didn't exactly spell out what the Democrats are up to and how they are doing it.

...which isn't exactly what I meant. If it weren't for Team Boehner, I'd have not even been aware of this issue. What has been missing from Team Boehner is some sort of narrative like this from the Blunt release:

Instead, Democratic leaders took a seminal piece of farm policy and used it as a vehicle to raise taxes -- both on foreign companies who invest capital in America and create jobs here, and domestic energy producers who explore for natural gas in the deepest waters offshore. In doing that, Democrats turned a bill that would have sailed through this House and grabbed the attention of the Senate into yet another partisan campaign to raise taxes, displace jobs, and render America less competitive abroad.

Emphasis added. Sure, I got it from the Boehner releases that taxes were going to be raised, but I didn't get a clear read on the total impact of who was being hit until Tom and I discussed it on Saturday and then the Blunt release was the first I recall having seen it in print.

At no point did I intend to imply that Team Boehner failed to get the word out. Quite the contrary, actually, without Team Boehner's coverage of this from the beginning it quite likely would not have raised a flag here. The failing is on my part in that I was unable to get the full gist of what Team Boehner was saying until Tom and I chatted the issue on the radio show.

VIDEO: House Republicans on the Fairness Doctrine (Whatever That Is...)

I think I'll keep the homage to RINOvich going by constantly referring to this abomination as The Fairness Doctrine (Whatever That Is...)...

Anyway, here is Roy Blunt:



I should have some from Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- here in a bit... Stay tuned!

UPDATE: Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny!

VIDEO: US House of Representatives

Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) gives the One Minute Speech of the Day on the Democrats' "reserve" slush funds and plans for massive tax hikes.



Roy Blunt Floor Speech on Spending:



Republican Study Committee:

VIDEO: House GOP Press Congference

VIDEO: Rep. Roy Blunt on Price Gouging

Congressman Blunt addresses "Price Gouging" on the house floor.

This Weekend on TIB Radio

This weekend's Republican Radio Show is packed with speeches and interviews that you will not want to miss. The cycle starts off with the US House Leadership Stakeout; followed by floor speeches from Reps. Geoff Davis, Roy Blunt and John Boehner on the Iraq Supplemental; floor speeches from Sens. Hatch, Coleman, Hutchinson, Martinez, Thune, and McConnel on the Iraq Supplemental; Rep. Adam Putnam gives this week's House Radio Address followed by a clip from John Boehner on bipartisan opportunity to get the supplemental done right; next is a presentation and Q&A with Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted and State Senator Bill Harris on college scholarships; and lastly, we have President George W. Bush's weekly radio address.

The cycle lasts and hour and will start at the top of each hour through tomorrow starting at 4PM today.

Blunt Lauds Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Partial-Birth Abortion Ban

From PR/US Newswire:

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement this morning after the Supreme Court announced its decision to uphold the ban on partial-birth abortion, a bill passed by Congress and signed by the president in 2003:

"Today's ruling by the Supreme Court affirms what many of us already knew about partial birth abortion: it's abhorrent, it's dangerous, and it has no place in the realm of contemporary medicine or, frankly, civil society.

"The decision is also an affirmation of the overwhelming and bi-partisan message Congress sent to the courts in 2003, when nearly two-thirds of the House and Senate voted to end this grisly procedure. Moving forward, it's my hope that inferior courts will take notice of this ruling, and that Congress, the executive branch, and the entire judicial system will build on the foundation laid today to do more to protect and preserve the sanctity of human life."

Republicans and Democrats in Congress voted in 2003 to make the practice of partial-birth abortion illegal, rightly recognizing it as inhumane and medically unnecessary. But the law was later struck down by federal judges in California, Nebraska and New York, clearing the way for the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling on Wednesday.

Boehner Announces GOP Leadership ‘100 Days’ Report

Via email:

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today announced the release of the Republican Leadership Team’s comprehensive report on the Democrats’ broken promises and record of failures in their first 100 Days in the 110th Congress:

“The first 100 days of their tenure as the majority party in Congress has come and gone, and Democrats have failed to craft, demonstrate, or articulate a long-term agenda to move America forward. Instead, as this report illustrates, the Democrats’ first 100 days has been marked by intra-party squabbling, indiscriminate pork-barrel spending, and legislative paralysis on the most critical issues facing the American people.

“In fact, if Democrats took this nation in any ‘new’ direction whatsoever during their first 100 days, it was backwards. From their retreat-and-hope-for-the-best approach to the Global War on Terror to proposing the largest tax increase in American history, Democrats have been tone deaf to the needs of today’s middle-class families and the security of future generations of Americans.

“The Republican record during this period stands in stark contrast the Democrats’ dangerous disarray. We have demonstrated a unified commitment to hold Democrats accountable for their failures and broken promises, and are succeeding in offering substantive alternatives to help lead America forward.”

The GOP analysis of the Democrats’ record of failure, 0 FOR 6 in ’07, was compiled by House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Republican Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (R-FL) and Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA).

The report can be found online here.

Blunt: Largest Tax Increase in American History Will Hit Retirement Savers, Investors

From PR/US Newswire:

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement this afternoon asking House Democrats to defend their plan to raise taxes on the millions of Americans who save for and invest in their future:

"The 'investor class' used to be the province of the privileged elite. But these days, nearly 100 million Americans -- representing a broad cross-section of class and background -- plan for their future by saving and investing. And many millions more benefit from the innumerable jobs and opportunities that a capital marketplace creates.

"Whether you invest in a stock, participate in a mutual fund, or even own a home -- the Democrats' tax-and-spend budget was written with a greedy eye on your assets. And if you're a retired senior that relies on dividends to supplement a fixed income, it's a good bet you'll be sending thousands more to Washington each year as well."

More than half of America's seniors receive dividend income each year, and more than 30 percent receive capital gains income. These seniors will see their taxes on dividends and capital gains go up by an average of $1,100 if the Democrats' budget earns passage. Overall, 28 million American families will pay an additional $1,000 a year in new investment taxes as a result of the budget, many of whom earn annual incomes of $50,000 and below.

"The conventional class-warfare arguments used by Democrats to cloud the issue and energize their base simply no longer apply," added Blunt. "Taxing the ability of working men and women to save for their future is a tax on this country's economic health and well being. These tax hikes discourage responsible savings for retirement. And Republicans won't let the biggest tax hike in American history pass without a fight."

Blunt: Democrats' Budget Clears Way for Resurrection of Death Tax

From PR/US Newswire:

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement [yesterday] calling on House Democrats to explain how using their annual budget proposal to resurrect the federal Death Tax represents wise economic policy:

"More than 270 members of Congress, including 42 Democrats, voted last Congress to permanently repeal the Death Tax -- and for good reason. It's a form of double-taxation that penalizes the wrong people for doing the right things, and it does so at a rate that would make even our friends in Europe blush.

"Democrats had an historic opportunity to build on our vote last year and deliver a death knell to the Death Tax. Unfortunately, the majority's budget clears the way for the tax to return in full force just a few years from now - - levying a rate of up to 55 percent, and costing the American economy hundreds of thousands of jobs each year.

"House Democrats should be using the tax code to encourage personal savings and private investments, not as a tool to disincentive work and punish family farmers and small business owners for contributing to and investing in our nation's economic future.

"I'd hope my colleagues from the Midwest, especially -- and others representing our farmland regions -- would think twice before supporting a budget proposal that gives life to the insidious and obscenely timed Death Tax."

The Death Tax is scheduled to phase out over the next few years and will disappear entirely in 2010 -- only to return in 2011 at the unprecedented rate of 55 percent. Small, family-owned businesses are especially vulnerable to the tax, given that most small business owners are forced to count the entire value of their businesses in their estates. More than 70 percent of family businesses do not survive to the second generation. And 87 percent do not survive to a third generation.

During committee consideration of the Democrats' budget resolution, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., offered an amendment to ensure that Death Tax would not be restored. His effort was defeated by Democrats 22 to 17.

Blunt: Democrats Vote to Tie Hands of Commanders in the Field

From PR/US Newswire:

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) issued the following statement this afternoon in reaction to House passage of the majority's accelerated schedule of troop retreat in Iraq:

"In voting to tie the hands of our commanders in the field, Democrats today voted themselves capable of managing the affairs of war -- not from the theatre of battle, but from the confines of their Capitol Hill offices more than 6,000 miles away. And in attaching more than $20 billion of non-emergency funding to the bill, they put a price tag on the operational integrity of our military and its continued ability to accomplish the task at hand.

"This was a vote in which the majority leadership forced their Members to take an ill-advised vote on a measure that will never see the president's desk, just to pander to the 'Out of Iraq' Caucus and Moveon.org.

"The debate this week should have been focused on finding effective ways to ensure our troops in the field have ready access to the resources they need to complete their mission. Instead, the only dialogue that got any attention was what the speaker would need to promise in order to buy her members' support for this poorly assembled, short-sighted bill.

"Today won't be our last chance to do right by our soldiers. But whether the bill is altered in the Senate, or ultimately sent back to this chamber by the president -- none of that should diminish the gravity of what happened here this afternoon.

"The speaker's far-left constituency may be disenchanted by this bill's passage, but I assure you our men and women in the field are even more disappointed in this Congress for undermining their mission by our message, and for delaying in practice the funding they need to be safe, secure and successful."

Rep. Blunt: We Do Not Need 535 Commanders In Chief

From PR/US Newswire:

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) released the following statement this morning in reaction to Speaker Pelosi's announcement that House Democrats will not bring to the House floor a clean emergency spending bill for our troops in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan:

"House Democratic leaders have finally gotten around to releasing key details of their emergency supplemental bill, but House Republicans will not support the slow-bleed strategy they endorsed today.

"Command and control decisions on the ground in Iraq cannot be made efficiently or effectively by 535 Commanders in Chief sitting 6,000 miles away on Capitol Hill.

"House Republicans asked the speaker and her supporters to deliver a clean and straightforward emergency funding package for our troops, and this morning's announcement clearly proves that they are not up to the task.

"Be assured that Republicans will continue to press the majority for an unambiguous declaration of support for our troops, and a funding measure that does not tie the hands of the Commander in Chief with arbitrary mission standards or non-emergency spending."

VIDEO: Blunt Floor Speech on HR 800

Closing Lineups for the Debate and Good News from Iraq

Via email:

The list of GOP speakers closing this week's debate (NOW) on Iraq is as follows:

Roy Blunt (MO), Republican Whip
John Boehner (OH), Republican Leader
Rep. Sam Johnson (TX)

Just as Democrats vote to "disapprove" of the new plan for victory in Iraq, the new plan begins to pay dividends on the ground:

From News Reports:

al-Sadr has fled to Iran.

Anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, had ordered his top lieutenants to leave Iraq.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki calls U.S. and Iraqi forces sweeping through Baghdad as "brilliant success" so far.

Violent deaths reported in the capital have fallen.

"bloodthirsty" militants are lying low in Sadr City.

Iraqi and U.S. troops are manning checkpoints and searching vehicles for weapons.

Attacks by Sunni insurgent groups such as al Qaeda have declined.

Blunt Opening Floor Speech on Iraq Resolution

From PR/US Newswire:

House Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) today delivered the following remarks on the House floor during the opening minutes of debate on the Democrats' Iraq resolution:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution. General Petraeus said a resolution like this would discourage the troops, and the Secretary of Defense said a resolution like this would embolden the enemy. This Congress should be doing neither of these things.

"What this resolution will not do is take a position on what we should do as we face the challenge of our generation.

"President Johnson was criticized a generation ago and still today for choosing bombing sites in Vietnam. He was the Commander in Chief; yet he should have left those tactical choices to the military. But his actions made infinitely more sense than this. It's hard to imagine a group less capable of making tactical decisions about specific troop deployment than 535 Members of Congress.

"The resolution today is about the exact number of troops. Will the one tomorrow or next week be a vote on which block in Baghdad to target or which car to stop?

"And, of course, today what we debate is a tactic in the greater fight we are in. The new Commanding General has determined this surge is the right course of action. The Iraq Study Group was supportive of 'a short term redeployment or surge of American combat forces to stabilize Baghdad, or to speed up the training and equipping mission, if the U.S. commander in Iraq determines that such steps would be effective.'

"Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that the current situation in Iraq cannot continue. That is why the president has advanced a new way forward.

"Actions do have consequences. But the resolution the Democrats advance today is a vote for the status quo. It's a vote for the current strategy because it's a vote not to change strategy.

"The current strategy isn't working, and as a Southwest Missourian told me yesterday: 'We are there.' He went on to say, 'It really doesn't matter how we got there or what we thought. We are in a fight that won't stop if we leave.'

"The fact of the matter is that Congress does have the power to end the war -- if it has the political will to do so.

"Almost twenty-four years ago, in November 1983, the Congress voted for withdrawal from Lebanon by March of 1984. Many of the proponents of today's resolution voted then to leave. They lost 153 to 274, but the message was sent, and we left anyway, and when we left, the myth of American weakness began to take hold in al Qaeda.

"The language of this non-binding resolution doesn't tackle the tough issues of war. It tries to have it both ways: disapproving the tactics but supporting the troops. It doesn't say we will fund the troops in the future or not fund the troops. It doesn't say we will supply troops in the future or not supply the troops. This resolution says just enough to not say anything at all.

"Americans should see this move for what it really is -- a political first step to cutting off funding for the dangerous mission our troops face.

"The truth is we are in a war against a hostile and ferocious enemy that will stop at nothing. Imagine how this debate this week bolsters these radical terrorists whose sole goal is to destroy America because we disprove, as no society ever has, the dogma of religious totalitarianism that they use every day to recruit followers and funders and suicide bombers.

"Our diversity, our ability to live together, and the prosperity and vitality that are the result have produced the enemies we face today. As long as we live as we do, they must be wrong.

"This week, this Congress will send the signal to those enemies, and to those who fight to protect us from them, that America has the will and indeed the courage to continue fighting these Islamic totalitarians -- or that we do not take the consequences of failure seriously."

Video is available here.