United States House of Representatives

“ At the same time, my colleagues, what is at issue here is of
importance to this House and to our country, and that issue is whether
we are able to proceed with a degree of civility and decorum that our
rules and our democracy contemplate and require.
The House Code of Official Conduct requires that each Member, every
one of us, each and every one of us "conduct himself," and I'm
quoting from the rule, "at all times in a manner which shall reflect
creditably on the House of Representatives." ”

“ And I just believe that a man who has spent 25 years of his
life in public service in the State senate and here in Congress, who
has four sons, all of whom were in the military, three of whom served
in Iraq, we all know Joe Wilson. He is a decent man, and to put him
through this on the floor of the House I think is unacceptable and it
is a partisan stunt.
There has been behavior that has gone on around here far more serious
than this, and it didn't bring a resolution to the floor to condemn
someone's behavior.
Yes, people have made mistakes. ”

“ Mr. Speaker, I think it is clear to the American people that there
are far more important issues facing this Nation than what we are
addressing right now.
The President said, "The time for games is over." I agree with the
President. He graciously accepted my apology, and the issue is over.
However, this action today will have done nothing for the taxpayers
to rein in the growing cost and size of the Federal Government. It will
not help more Americans secure jobs, promote better education, ensure
retirement, or reform health insurance. ”

“ Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I rise
in opposition to this resolution. I think the facts are clear.
Congressman Joe Wilson admitted himself that his actions were wrong and
that he shouldn't have done it and that he won't do it again. Mr.
Wilson apologized to the President, and that was the right thing to do.
Mr. Speaker, how much longer does this go on? What are we really
accomplishing here today? The President accepted Mr. Wilson's apology. ”

“ The Republican leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, added, "I
think we ought to treat the President with respect, and anything other
than that is not appropriate." That's what this resolution is about.
It's a resolution of disapproval.
This resolution is not about the substance of an issue, but about the
conduct we expect of one another in the course of doing our business. ”

“ Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, this resolution addresses an issue of great
importance to current and future Members of this august body: the
proper conduct of its Members.
Despite statements made by various leaders of the other party, this
is not about partisan politics or inappropriate comments. To the
contrary, this is about the rules of this House and reprehensible
conduct. ”

“ In light of that, this resolution simply states the
House's disapproval of Mr. Wilson's words and actions.
As Republican Whip Cantor is quoted as saying, "Obviously the
President of the United States is always welcome on Capitol Hill and he
deserves respect and decorum." Surely all of us believe that's
correct. Surely all of us, hopefully all of us, believe that when we
invite a President of either party to come to this House and address a
joint session of Congress that he ought to expect and we ought to
expect that we will accord to him the decorum and courtesy of which Mr. ”

“ I ask that my colleagues join me in support of this resolution and
uphold the dignity of this great institution by voting yes.
More importantly, I ask that as soon as we finish this matter, and we
join together again, that we finally pass meaningful healthcare reform.
Because nothing could be worse than one more American suffering or
dying because they cannot afford the care they need to live.
Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, Representative Joe Wilson's outburst at
the joint session of Congress last week was inappropriate. ”

“ Speaker, there's a lot of frustration in our districts and
throughout America about H.R. 3200. We need to stop wasting time and
get down to the business of drafting a bipartisan health care bill that
addresses the needs of all Americans. ”