Thursday, February 08, 2007

Text of Gregg's Smokescreen Resolution

Here's the text of the bogus resolution by Judd Gregg (R-NH) that the Republicans want on the Senate floor to force Democrats to either vote against it -- and leave themselves open to GOP smears of "not supporting the troops" -- or vote for it and toss out the main Constitutional check they have on a White House gone mad:
Expressing the sense of the Congress that no funds should be cut off or reduced for American troops in the field which would result in undermining their safety or their ability to complete their assigned missions.

In the Senate of the United States

Concurrent Resolution

Expressing the sense of the Congress that no funds should be cut off or reduced for American troops in the field which would result in undermining their safety or their ability to complete their assigned missions.

Whereas under Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, the President is the "commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States", and in such capacity the president has the command of the Armed Forces, including the authority to deploy troops and direct military campaigns during wartime;

Whereas under Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution of the United States, Congress has the power of the purse specifically as it relates to the Armed Forces, and in such capacity Congress has the responsibility to fully and adequately provide funding for United States military forces, especially when they are at war and are defending the Nation; and

Whereas when United States military forces are in harm's way and are protecting our country, Congress and the Nation should give them all the support they need on order to maintain their safety and accomplish their assigned missions, including the equipment logistics, and funding necessary to ensure their safety and effectiveness, and such support is the responsibility of both the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch of Government: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that Congress should not take any action that will endanger United States military forces in the field, including the elimination or reduction of funds for troops in the field, as such action with respect to funding would undermine their safety or harm their effectiveness in pursuing their assigned missions.
And there's your legislative smokescreen for today.