On Sunday, the Marietta Daily Journal ran an op-ed from Phil critical of the Democratic leadership’s covert plan to limit funding for our troops.  Phil wrote:

[A] real debate on Iraq is coming, and the Democrat leadership has already shown its hand.

Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha is currently developing ways to limit funding for our brave men and women in uniform by tangling the president’s $93 billion spending request for Iraq and Afghanistan in a myriad of complicated conditions. Murtha has boasted he can stop the troop surge and force redeployment by creating so many funding restrictions that our president and military commanders will be unable to pursue their path to victory.

Phil explains why this strategy is unprecedented and detrimental to U.S. security:

This is a dangerous strategy, based on the audacious premise that Congress better knows how to run a war than do our nation’s top military commanders. In fact, if the Democratic majority is successful in cutting funds to our troops, it would mark the first time in U.S. history that Congress denied our soldiers funding in the middle of a combat operation.

Finally, Phil notes:

The Democrats’ Iraq strategy is both cowardly and irresponsible. It is cowardly because rather than debate troop funding in the open, they choose to play budgetary tricks behind closed doors.

It is irresponsible because the president’s plan - including the strategic and temporary troop increase - is already working. Local Iraqi leaders are cracking down on death squads, insurgents and terrorists of all religious sects. Iraq has temporarily closed its borders with Iran and Syria, and recent news reports say Muqtada al-Sadr and top al-Qaida leaders have fled the country.

Phil finished by writing, “This is the time for bold leadership and bold plans. Sadly, neither describes the Democrats’ empty resolutions and backhanded schemes to cut troop funding.”  To read the entire op-ed, click HERE.

Three times last week, Phil took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to criticize the Democrats’ overly-political resolution on Iraq, and to call for victory over terrorism and tyranny.

The New York Times quoted Phil as he reminded the American people who benefits from this resolution: 

“What we’re doing with this resolution is not a salute to G.I. Joe,” said Representative Phil Gingrey, a Georgia Republican. “It’s a capitulation to Jihadist Joe.”

And the Boston Globe quoted Phil as he described what the Democrat leadership has up its sleeve:  

“The real Democratic plan is coming later,” said Representative Phil Gingrey, a Georgia Republican. “This resolution is not meaningless. It is the first step, my colleagues, toward cutting off funding for our troops and pulling the rug out from under them.”

For more of Phil’s comments on Iraq, click HERE, HERE and HERE.

For the past four days, the U.S. House of Representatives has been debating an overly-political, non-binding resolution on Iraq.  The Democrat legislation rebukes the President’s call for a troop surge to achieve victory in Iraq.   This resolution has put politics front and center, while offering no alternatives or solutions for our efforts in Iraq.

Many members of the Democrat caucus have advocated dangerous plans of action, from cutting funding for our troops to immediately pulling our troops out of Iraq. But none of these ideas are being debated this week. Instead, we have spent four days debating a two paragraph resolution that amounts to nothing more than a vote of no confidence in our Commander in Chief.

This resolution goes against the advice of our military commanders, against the wishes of our troops and veterans, and against the wisdom of the Iraq Study Group, who indeed said they could support a temporary troop increase. You can be sure I will firmly oppose it.

To watch videos of my congressional speeches opposing the resolution, click HERE. To read the text of my speeches, click HERE and HERE.

Phil participated in a press conference yesterday criticizing the Democrats’ failed First 100 Hours agenda.

“The Democrats’ first 100 hours were spent on watered-down initiatives that at best were ineffective and at worst were detrimental to our economy and citizens,” he said. “The Democrats showed their commitment to raising taxes and expanding the federal government. They also showed their willingness to forgo debate and process for sound bite solutions that do nothing to address the real problems facing our nation.  The American people deserve better. We need sound policy, not sound bites.”

Former Majority Leader Tom Delay weighed in after the press conference on his blog:

I would personally like to congratulate and thank Representatives McHenry (R-NC), King (R-IA) and Gingrey (R-GA) for outlining the ramifications of the Democrat’s legislative push in their press conference today.

Ultimately, all of the Democrat’s gooey words about bipartisanship were rendered meaningless by ramming through a rules package designed to silence the opposition and make it easier to push future tax increases through the House. Six pieces of legislation, which the Democrats claim were so important to the national interest, received no hearings by the subcommittees or committees of jurisdiction nor did these ideas receive any hearing or input from the public. Pelosi and her gang silenced their Republican colleagues by refusing to allow them to offer or consider amendments.

For more on the Democrats’ misguided agenda, click HERE and HERE.

With the Democrats now in the majority, border security supporters must stay diligent in our quest to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into our nation.   Illegal immigration is taking a heavy toll on our schools, hospitals, social welfare system… and criminal justice system. Today’s Washington Times reports on some very disturbing news:

Criminal aliens set free on the streets of America — instead of being deported after serving their time — are being rearrested as many as six more times by U.S. authorities, according to a government audit released yesterday.

The 91-page audit, which was requested by Congress, said the limited sampling found that of the 100 selected aliens, 73 had an average of six arrests each after being released from custody. They were arrested, collectively, 429 times on 878 charges, ranging from traffic violations and trespassing to drug crimes, burglary, robbery, assault and weapons violations.

If we want to keep these criminals off our streets, we absolutely must end the “catch and release” program that allows these criminals to continually re-enter our communities.  In the December 2005 Republican Border Security bill, I was a strong proponent of an amendment to end the catch-and-release program. Thankfully, Secretary Michael Chertoff at the Department of Homeland Security has indicated that he is moving to end this detrimental policy.  Click HERE to read more on my thoughts on border security.

ABOVE PHOTO: While on the U.S./Mexico border this past summer, I examined the process used – including bus transport – to deport illegal immigrants with criminal records back to Mexico or their countries of origin.

The Transportation Security Administration has issued a comprehensive list of items traveler can and can not bring on airplanes this holiday season. In? Knitting needles. Out? Snow globes. Click HERE for more. Also, see the graphic above for a quick reminder on traveling with liquids.

The Department of Homeland Security has posted a new video on the www.Ready.gov website to help families prepare for emergencies – both natural and man-made. Click HERE to launch the video, or visit the Ready.gov website, and then click on “Watch Ready’s NEW Instructional Video”.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports this morning on efforts to reduce drug trafficking in the Atlanta area:

White House Director of National Drug Control Policy John Walters on Monday named Cobb as one of two metro-Atlanta counties that will benefit from a federal crackdown on illegal drug trafficking.

Walters and Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta) made the announcement at Cobb Police headquarters Monday morning as they presented a check for $1.1 million to Jack Killorin, director of the Atlanta-area High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program.

Walters explained the critical nature of Atlanta’s drug problem:

“That Atlanta area has become a hub,” Walters said. “It has become a way in which traffic coming across the southwest border comes up and is distributed in the eastern part of the United States. It’s not coming from Miami. It’s coming from Atlanta.”

Phil noted that while the inclusion of Cobb County in this anti-trafficking program was a tremendous step forward, there is still more to be done in the future:

“We felt it very necessary that we expanded the (Atlanta-area program),” Gingrey said. “We want to eventually get into northwest Georgia where there are a lot of clandestine laboratories for the production of methamphetamines, which is ruining a lot of people’s lives.”

For more information on the $1.1 Million grant, click HERE.

The Georgia National Guard is bringing its headquarters to Marietta.  The old NAS Atlanta site will be the new home to our brave Guardsmen. This site provides an optimal home base for our Guard troops, as the Atlanta Business Chronicle notes:

The NAS property is next to Dobbins Air Reserve Base and its airfield operations, which officials said will be an advantage for the Georgia National Guard and its ability to train for and respond to national and state emergencies. The NAS property will become home base for 1,500 National Guard soldiers. The announcement comes at a time when the Georgia Guard is forecasting growth with plans to form several new units in the coming years.

Phil hailed the decision:

“This development is a tremendous asset to both the Cobb community and our nation,” Gingrey said. “The location offers an ideal site to rapidly respond to natural disasters in the Southeast U.S. It is also essential to maintain a strong military presence at the Marietta complex, especially as other installations in greater Atlanta are closing. The occupants of this site have a long history of serving our nation with distinction, and I know the whole community is honored to have our brave guardsmen headquartered in Marietta.”

To read more, click HERE.

Today, President Bush signed H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, into law.  This legislation includes $21.3 billion for border protection and immigration enforcement, and it criminalizes the construction of border tunnels. It also includes $1.2 billion for additional border fencing, vehicle barriers, technology and infrastructure.

Phil is one of the House’s leading advocates of border fence technology.  In fact, he sponsored an amendment to provide for additional fencing in the House-passed comprehensive border security bill last December. To read more about Phil’s stance on this critical funding, click HERE and HERE.

During a September 8, 2006 press conference regarding Osama bin Laden, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) declared:

“[T]he damage that he has done is done. And even to capture him now I don’t think makes us any safer.”

Apparently, Mrs. Pelosi doesn’t believe the terrorist mastermind who orchestrated 9/11 is a threat to the United States.  And the Democrats wonder why Americans think they’re soft on security…

Yesterday, our troops stationed in Iraq joined Americans here at home in observing the anniversary of September 11, 2001:

Spc. Jose Burgos, a member of the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, from Fort Dix, N.J., who worked as an EMT at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, told the Armed Forces Press Service that doing mass casualty exercises brings Sept. 11, 2001, back for him.

“I can’t believe it was five years ago; it feels like yesterday,” he said. “It is hard to imagine.”

The Remembrance Ceremony at the Al Faw palace began with the 76th Army Band playing the Iraqi and U.S. national anthems.  [UPI]

At the ceremony, Zalmay Khadlilzad, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, spoke eloquently about the progress we’ve made against terrorism since 9/11:

“The true monument for the heroes and victims of 9/11 will not be made of stone, but will be living monuments,” said Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. “The 50 million people liberated from tyranny since that day. A free and prosperous Iraq will stand as the ultimate testimony to the sacrifices you are making to ensure that America remains secure from the threats posed by terrorists.” [UPI]

How did you observe the 9/11 anniversary?

This evening, I am speaking at the Field of Flags event at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The Marietta Kiwanis club has erected a flag for each person who perished in the brutal terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  These flags are a proud reminder of the Americans who woke up on September 11, and set off to do the work that makes America great.  Tonight, we will be surrounded by the memories and sacrifices of these heroes.

Five years ago today, a group of terrorists showed the United States they were determined to destroy the American way of life.  Now, five years later, we have shown the terrorists and their supporters that the U.S. will never tolerate their vicious culture of destruction and fear.  To those who perished on September 11, and to those who have sacrificed life and limb in our continued War on Terror, I want to deliver a message.  Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. The United States will not rest until those who seek to destroy our way of life have been brought to justice.

I take comfort in the fact that America has always proven herself a strong and determined nation.  I know we will once again prevail in the fight for freedom.

Today marks the five year anniversary of the brutal terrorist attacks on our nation. The Atlanta Journal Constitution lists some of the local events occurring today, including the Field of Flags event Phil will attend at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park: 

The public is invited to a ceremony at 6 p.m. Monday at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to honor the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.  Marietta area Kiwanis members planted 2,996 American flags on the battlefield Saturday morning.  The display is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.

On Monday, Marietta Kiwanis officials will ring a bell at the exact times the four planes crashed, beginning at 8:46 a.m.  Then they will read aloud the names of the victims.

The 6 p.m. memorial ceremony will feature a Navy fly-over, 21-gun salute, bag pipes and a multi-agency colorguard. Marianne Burke of Cobb County, whose younger sister died in the attacks, and Kenneth Burris Jr., former chief operating officer of the U.S. Fire Administration, will speak.

Gov. Sonny Perdue, U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) are also scheduled to speak.

As we remember those who gave their lives five years ago today, let us also remember those who have given their lives in our continued War on Terror.  To read Phil’s comments on this anniversary day, click HERE.

Monday is the fifth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on our nation. In observance, Phil will be visiting with First Responders in Rockmart and participating in the Kennesaw Mountain Field of Flags service.   Please be sure to keep those who gave their lives on September 11th and in our continued War on Terror in your thoughts and prayers.

The White House today released a publication titled “9/11 Five Years Later: Successes and Challenges.”  The book is available electronically on the White House website HERE.  Click on the Forward section for an impressive list of tangible changes to U.S. policy since 9/11, and how these changes are keeping our homeland safe.

In his televised speech today, President Bush examined the crucial nature of our War on Terror by sharing the words of terrorists in the Middle East.  These quotes underline the critical importance of U.S. efforts to defeat terrorism, and I want to share some of them with you.  They are upsetting to read, but offer great insight into the threat facing America if we back down in this fight:  

Osama Bin Laden: “On the blessed Tuesday 11 September 2001 … they launched their attacks with their planes in an unparalleled and magnificent feat of valor, unmatched by any in humankind before them. … Yet with the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York, there occurred an even bigger destruction: that of the great American Dream and legend of Democracy.”  (Translation of Purported Bin Laden Audio Message, Posted On Islamist Site, 2/14/03)

Ayman al-Zawahiri:  “The war with Israel is not about a treaty, a cease-fire agreement, Sykes-Picot borders, national zeal, or disputed borders.  It is rather a jihad for the sake of God until the religion of God is established.  It is jihad for the liberation of Palestine, all Palestine, as well as every land that was a home for Islam, from Andalusia to Iraq.  The whole world is an open field for us.”  (Al-Zawahiri’s ‘Full’ Message On War In Lebanon, Gaza Strip, Posted On Jihadist Website, 7/28/06) 

Al-Qaeda Charter: “There Will Be Continuing Enmity Until Everyone Believes In Allah.  We Will Not Meet [The Enemy] Halfway And There Will Be No Room For Dialogue With Them.”  (Al Qaeda Charter, Released By The White House Press Office, 9/5/06)

Al-Qaeda Training Manual:  “Guidelines for Beating and Killing Hostages: Religious scholars have permitted beating. … In this tradition, we find permission to interrogate the hostage for the purpose of obtaining information. It is permitted to strike the nonbeliever who has no covenant until he reveals the news, information, and secrets of his people.  The religious scholars have also permitted the killing of a hostage if he insists on withholding information from Moslems.”  (Al-Qaeda Training Manual, Accessed 9/5/06)

Osama Bin Laden: “And it was to these sorts of notions and their like that the British diplomat and others were referring in their lectures at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. (When they pointed out that) for example, al-Qaida spent $500,000 on the event, while America, in the incident and its aftermath, lost – according to the lowest estimate – more than 500 billion dollars.  Meaning that every dollar of al-Qaida defeated a million dollars by the permission of Allah, besides the loss of a huge number of jobs.”  (’Full Transcript’ Of Bin Laden’s Message, Posted On Al-Jazirah Site, 11/1/04)

Ayman al-Zawahiri:  “So we must think for a long time about our next steps and how we want to attain it, and it is my humble opinion that the Jihad in Iraq requires several incremental goals:  The first stage: Expel the Americans from Iraq.  The second stage: Establish an Islamic authority or amirate, then develop it and support it until it achieves the level of a caliphate – over as much territory as you can to spread its power in Iraq … The third stage: Extend the jihad wave to the secular countries neighboring Iraq.  The fourth stage: It may coincide with what came before: the clash with Israel, because Israel was established only to challenge any new Islamic entity.”  (Complete Text Of Al-Zawahiri Letter To Al-Zarqawi, 7/9/05, Accessed 9/5/06)

Click HERE to read the President’s remarks.

Sunday’s Marietta Daily Journal editorializes on the Global War on Terror, noting that when the going gets tough, the tough can’t just bail out:

“I’m not going to say that six months from now or 18 months from now - that I’m not going to be in favor of certain changes if things aren’t going well. Obviously, you want to keep an open mind,” Rep. Gingrey said. “But I see it as World War III, and I don’t think we can afford to bail out when the going gets tough.”

Indeed, Gingrey has it right. Like it or not, and although many on the political left refuse to admit it, we are in the early stages of World War III (or IV, if you count the Cold War as World War III). We did not start this war. The Islamofascists did. And we do not have the option of sitting it out or pretending that we are not at war.

You can quibble all you want about whether the war in Iraq is helping or hurting us in the wider war against Islamic fascism, but the fact is, we are at war, and if we surrender now in Iraq it will be a huge, huge victory for the other side that will do nothing but empower radical Islamists to launch further attacks in our direction. […]

It’s important to remember as well that the Iraqi government is barely 90 days old, and struggling hard to meet the sky-high expectations placed on it.  Even among all the carnage, there are encouraging signs here and there. The Iraqi army is getting bigger and better, and has proven that it is willing to fight - and if necessary, to die - in order to support the new government and democracy. And despite its losses, there is no shortage of recruits for that army.

It remains to be seen how that battle for Baghdad will turn out. But history is full of episodes in which the worst fighting, and bleakest days, came just before a victory or shift in momentum. Let us hope that is the case now as well.

Click HERE for the complete editorial.

Want to learn what steps you can take to get your family prepared for an emergency? Visit www.ready.gov and learn all about emergency kits, plans, and drills. There’s no better time, as September is National Preparedness Month (click HERE to learn more).

An anniversary worth remembering: today marks the 10th anniversary of Osama bin Laden issuing his first fatwa against the U.S.  In 1996, bin Laden called on Muslims across the globe to murder U.S. military personnel, and in 1998 he extended his fatwa to include all American citizens.

As we continue fighting the global war on terror, we must always remember what is at stake.  The freedom of nations abroad and the security of our people at home both depend on our resolve in this fight.