News and Views

House Overwhelmingly Backs Lewis Motion to Condemn MoveOn Attack on Gen. Petraeus

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives voted 341-79 Wednesday to support a motion by Congressman Jerry Lewis condemning the attack on Gen. David Petraeus in an advertisement by the group MoveOn.org. The motion was attached to must-pass legislation to continue funding government operations for the next six weeks.

“The House made it extremely clear that we will stand behind those who make personal sacrifices and place their lives on the line to defend our nation,” said Lewis, the senior Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. “I was pleased to have the chance to finally allow my colleagues to express this high level of support.”

Republicans for nearly two weeks have urged House leadership to pass a resolution in support of Gen. Petraeus, and condemn an attack on his character made by the anti-war group in a New York Times advertisement. Although the Senate voted 75-25 last week to condemn the attack, House leaders had refused to allow a similar resolution to be considered.

As ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, Lewis finally called for the resolution in a “motion to recommit with instructions” on a must-pass measure to continue funding for government operations when the fiscal year ends September 30. That measure is necessary because no annual appropriations bills will have been sent to the president by the end of the fiscal year. The funding measure was approved 404-14.

“I am honored to have the chance to recognize the service of Gen. Petraeus, as well as all other members of our armed forces,” Lewis told his fellow members. “It expresses our appreciation for his personal sacrifices and those of his family, as well as the sacrifices of those who served in our armed forces and their families.”

“This Sense of the Congress resolution condemns in the strongest possible terms the unfair, personal attacks made by the advocacy group, MoveOn.org on the character, integrity and professionalism of General David Petraeus,” Lewis told his colleagues. “Such unwarranted attacks should be strongly condemned by Republicans and Democrats in the House.”

Following is the text of Congressman Lewis’s motion: 

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.

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