Boozman

On a day when the Senate works in a bipartisan fashion to condemn MoveOn.org’s vicious attack of General David Petraeus, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives balked at moving on, and bringing up a similar piece of legislation.

Here is a transcript of the exchange:

BLUNT: The Senate just passed a resolution condemning moveon.org ad in the New York Times that suggested Gen. Petraeus might be General Betray Us. Since that has now passed the Senate, when can we expect to see a resolution like that on the House floor?

HOYER: That information is new to me. I am pleased to hear the Senate can pass something.

BLUNT: Maybe we should encourage them by passing this as well.

HOYER: I am not sure I want to encourage the Senate, except to do the work we sent over to them. They have a lot of work on their table. I haven’t looked at that resolution. My friend has seen my quoted as not in agreement with and disappointed with the particular ad that appeared. But having said that, I don’t having any intent at this point in time to bring up that resolution. I haven’t seen it, so I have no intention of scheduling that resolution at this point in time.

BLUNT: I thank my friend for that, I’d encourage you to look at it and would hope that we can see a similar action taken here on the house floor.

HOYER: Will the gentleman yield?

BLUNT: Yes.

HOYER: I want to say, on behalf of myself, and I believe the overwhelming majority of my caucus - perhaps every member of my caucus – we have great respect for General Petraeus. It does not help, in my opinion, the debate to impugn the integrity of those serving our country in uniform in harm’s way. I believe that general Petraeus is an honorable man of great integrity who has severed our country well. I may disagree with him. He may disagree with me on issues. But that does not in any way, any more than you and I might disagree, and we are good friends, undermine our respect for one another’s opinion. And as I say, I want to articulate because you bring up the issue that I believe that impugning of his integrity and patriotism and commitment to this country was inappropriate

BLUNT: I appreciate that and in fact while you may not want to articulate it. I thought you did very well. If you want to take that out and enter it into the Congressional record of our proceedings. I am sure I could co-sponsor exactly the comment that you just made and would like to see us have a chance to do that.