When I heard a Democrat in Congress — the name escapes me — declare yesterday that Justice Roberts’ nomination process is “morally wrong” it got me wondering just what Congress views as morally right and morally wrong. A quick review of what has been said during the 109th session in both houses is an eye-opener indeed.

This collection of quotes shows the depth of ridiculousness political posturing can take you and the misguided sense of morality of some members of Congress. I have not included quotes where morality was applied in its proper context — that does not make a riveting blog. I also have not tried to pick on a particular party or member.

Before examining Congress’s view of morality, we must first consult Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary to get a proper perspective:

MOR’AL, a. [L. moralis, from mos, moris, manner.]

“Relating to the practice, manners or conduct of men as social beings in relation to each other, and with reference to right and wrong. The word moral is applicable to actions that are good or evil, virtuous or vicious, and has reference to the law of God as the standard by which their character is to be determined.”

What is immoral according to Congress?

1. An unsecured border

“Our national security requires a safer, more secure border. And our standards of compassion demand it. Anything else is morally unacceptable.”

– Senator Frist (R), July 14, 2005

2. U.S. national security posture

“Mr. Speaker, our current national security posture is not only morally questionable, it is functionally flawed.”

– Representative Woolsey (D), July 26, 2005

3. The inability of Puerto Ricans to vote

“On February 15 of this year, I visited Private First Class Emanuel Melendez-Diaz from Comerio, Puerto Rico, who is in intensive care in Walter Reed Army Medical Center from injuries suffered in Iraq as part of our global war against terrorism. I was deeply moved by the intense pride his parents show in their son and in the sacrifice he made for our Nation. And yet, I could not help but think that Private First Class Emanuel Melendez-Diaz had not been able to vote for his Commander-in-Chief because he is Puerto Rican. That is morally wrong.”

– Representative Fortuno, March 02, 2005

4. Poverty

“More than 1 billion people live on less than $1 a day and another 2.7 billion people struggle to survive on less than $2 a day. This is morally unacceptable.”

– Representative Lynn Smith (R), July 20, 2005

“Now it is our nation’s children who are most likely to be poor. Kids in America are nearly twice as vulnerable to poverty as adults. This travesty is not only morally reprehensible, it also denotes grave consequences for the future of our country.”

– Representative Stark (D), June 23, 2005

5. The President’s budget

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Republican budget. This budget is fiscally reckless, morally irresponsible and represents a failure of leadership.”

– Representative Lee (D), March 17, 2005

“The Bush Administration’s 2006 budget fails in every respect. […] It is morally irresponsible in funding for key homeland security, veterans benefits, health care and educational programs.”

– Representative Watson (D), March 10, 2005

“I believe a budget is a moral blueprint for the priorities of the Federal Government. But, sadly, this year’s budget fails to address our Nation’s most basic priorities and fails to plan for our Nation’s future.”

Representative Matsui (D), June 23, 2005

“Budgets are moral documents that reveal the fundamental priorities of a person, of a household, of a government. The President’s ‘every man for himself’ budget disregards millions of Americans and undercuts our Nation’s values.”

– Representative Brown (D), February 15, 2005

[I just checked my budget and found that, according to Mr. Brown, my fundamental priority is Starbucks. I guess I must feel a moral attraction! — Will]

“The budget of the United States is a moral statement. The President begins that budget process by making his own moral statement. The process goes forward with the Congress deliberating; and when we come out at the end of the year with the appropriations based on this budget, we are making a statement to the Nation and to the world of what our moral values are, stating what are our moral values.

“This budget shows our moral values are really in serious trouble, because I think this is a budget of war against peace. You could call this a war-against-peace budget.”

– Representative Owens (D), February 08, 2005

6. U.S. nuclear funding

[…]

“Whereas the current annual funding for the United States nuclear weapons activities account stands at $6 billion, representing a 45 percent increase over the Cold War average of approximately $4 billion per year;

“Whereas the above-detailed policies and programs of the United States are –

[…]

“(5) immoral, because they place a threat of mass destruction, and the assertion of a right to initiate war, at the core of United States foreign policy;”

– House Resolution 373 by Representative Woolsey (D), July 20, 2005

7. Tougher bankruptcy laws that make debtors responsible

“Bankruptcy has always been about giving a fresh start to those who have fallen on hard times. The link between illness, job loss, and health insurance is a harsh reality in our country today. It is morally reprehensible to suggest that we exploit medical tragedies befalling honest, hardworking Americans in order to grant the wishes of the credit card companies.”

– Representative Stark (D), April 14, 2005

8. Spending Social Security money on programs other than Social Security

“Mr. Speaker, when my constituents find out that Congress has been spending Social Security money on programs other than Social Security, they are mad. That is why I am working to put an end to this immoral practice.”

– Representative Johnson (R), July 12, 2005

9. War on terror

“Where is the apology for the immoral doctrine of this preemptive war?”

– Representative Woolsey (D), June 22, 2005

“Madam Speaker, there are many truths about America’s involvement in Iraq. My truth is that our policies there over the last 2 years have been both immoral and ineffective. ”

– Representative Woolsey (D), March 01, 2005

10. Popular video games (and while we’re at it) the Iraq War

“Mr. Speaker, it is hard enough in this day and age to protect my 9-year-old-son — or any child — from graphic violence rife in popular video games, which demean the value of human life and portray killing as just a game — an act without moral consequence. It is time to put a stop to this unnecessary, obscene war in Iraq and the obscenities of generals like James Mattis, both of which demean and denigrate the moral fabric of our country.”

– Representative Stark (D), February 10, 2005