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House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) is seeking to censure Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) over controversial comments he made about the Iraq war. Last week, in a contentious debate on whether or not the House should override the veto of an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, Stark said: “You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.” The remarks were condemned by members of both parties. “Our troops in Iraq are fighting against al Qaeda and other radical jihadists hell-bent on killing the people we are sent here to represent,” Boehner said last week. “Congressman Stark’s statement dishonors not only the commander in chief, but the thousands of courageous men and women of America’s armed forces who believe in their mission and are putting their lives on the line for our freedom and security.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also criticized Stark’s comments. “While Members of Congress are passionate about their views, what congressman Stark said during the debate was inappropriate and distracted from the seriousness of the subject at hand — providing healthcare for America’s children,” Pelosi said. Boehner had demanded that Stark retract his comments and apologize to Bush and the troops. In return, Stark had said Republicans should apologize for their vote to deny health insurance to millions of children. “I have nothing but respect for our brave men and women in uniform and wish them the very best,” Stark said. “But I respect neither the commander in chief who keeps them in harm’s way nor the chickenhawks in Congress who vote to deny children healthcare.” Boehner’s resolution, which he plans to introduce Tuesday, states that Stark “by his despicable conduct, has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House and merits the censure of the House for the same.” |
