mr. rooney, a member of the armed services and judiciary committees. the speaker pro tempore: how long? ms. ros-lehtinen: one minute. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for one minute. mr. rooney: first i want to acknowledge and thank congressman buche disturb bue chair -- bue chairy and duncan for their service. i hear from many directly about the progress being made and the need for the continued support of this congress. it's for that reason i will vote no on this resolution. withdrawal now would destabilize that area of the world and create a vacuum for troor. groups like al qaeda and the taliban will increasingly gain access to weapons that will create damage to our allies and eventually us. general mcchrystal's implementation of president obama's counterinsurgency strategy is producing dramatic successes, including capture of key taliban leaders and the rooting of taliban forces. a withdrawal now undermines what our troops have done. and undermines the winning strategy we are pursuing in afghanistan, a strategy we all know the united states can achieve. it is for

mr. rooney from florida rise? mr. rooney: address the house for one minute. the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. rooney: madam speaker, i'm astounded by the democrats' blatant abuse of the house rules established in our constitution by entertaining the possibility of what's known as the slaughter rule. if they choose to deem the senate health care bill law under this self-executing rule without a traditional up or down vote on this actual text they will strip the american people of their rights to checks and balances in a bicameral congress. and if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle truly believe that this health care bill will solve the nation's health care problems, then why are they afraid to go on the record and put their names on it? like most americans, i am disillusioned with this congress. we need to go back to the drawing board an focus on reducing health care costs when constitutional and not by creating a new entitlement in a backroom deal. thank you and i yield back the balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlema