Thursday 18 October 2007
Washington - A House Democrat accused Republicans Thursday of sending troops to Iraq to "get their heads blown off for the president's amusement."
The outburst from Rep. Pete Stark as the House debated a children's health bill drew immediate condemnation from Republicans who demanded he retract it.
Instead Stark, known for his liberal views and volatile temperament, issued a statement saying Republicans should apologize for voting against an expansion of children's health care.
By a vote of 273-156 the House failed Thursday to override President Bush's veto of legislation to expand the popular State Children's Health Insurance Program.
Stark, who's in his 18th term representing the liberal East Bay near San Francisco, took to the floor to accuse Republicans of funding the Iraq war but not children's health.
"You don't have money to fund the war or children," Stark declared. "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."
A White House spokesperson was not immediately available Thursday afternoon to respond to Stark's comment.
A clip of Stark's remarks was quickly posted to YouTube and e-mailed around by Republicans.
"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," said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. He called for Stark to retract his statement and apologize.
Instead of retraction or apology the statement Stark issued in response to Boehner just offered more criticism of the "chicken hawks in Congress who vote to deny children health care." Stark did also express respect for the troops.
It was just the latest provocative comment from Stark. On one occasion in 2001 he and then then-Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma had to be separated after Stark claimed all of Watts' children were illegitimate. In fact only two of Watts' six children had been born out of wedlock.
Earlier this year, Stark became the first member of Congress to publicly proclaim himself an atheist.
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