Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution supporting our troops and disapproving the President’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq.

More than 4 years ago the resolution supporting war in Iraq came before the House. 

After careful consideration of the evidence and arguments put forth for a unilateral, preemptive attack on Iraq, I decided I could not in good conscience vote for that resolution.  My NO vote against the President’s plan for war in Iraq is one of my proudest moments in Congress.

I didn’t believe the case for war had been made.  There was no real evidence of WMD in Iraq.  The Administration’s arguments about Al-Qaeda Iraq connections were specious and its attempt to link Iraq with the tragedy of 9-11 was shameful.

I was deeply concerned about the effects of preemptive war on America’s standing in the world and equally worried about ramifications for the greater Middle East, a region of great importance and even greater fragility.

And I had strong concerns about the Administration’s preparation for the aftermath of war in Iraq.  The Administration was completely focused on waging war, and not on winning the peace.

Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, all of those concerns have been borne out. 

There was no WMD, no Al-Qaeda connections, no 9/11 link.  It was all trumped up evidence by an Administration consumed with toppling the dictator in Iraq.

Today Iraq is in civil war, the Middle East even more unsettled and our standing in the world at a low point.  The international support given to America after 9/11 was squandered and will take years to repair the damage.  And, as a nation, we are even less secure today than the day we invaded Iraq.

I point this out only because it is critically important to know where we have been if we want to know where we are going.  This resolution gives voice to the deep, deep opposition here in Congress and throughout the country to the President’s plan for escalating the war in Iraq.

I speak for the vast majority of my constituents on the Central Coast of California, when I state my unequivocal opposition to this escalation.  The Administration’s plan looks like more of the same failed policies that got us here in the first place. 

It is a plan based more on hope than fact.

It is a plan opposed by numerous military leaders and experts. 

It is, quite frankly, simply not believable.

The recent National Intelligence Estimate makes it perfectly clear that the President’s grand plan is just never going to work.

This resolution puts Congress clearly on record against the proposition that success will come only after more troops are thrown into battle.  The other objective of this resolution is to remind everyone that opposing the war in Iraq – and especially opposing the President’s escalation – is consistent with supporting our troops.

Our men and women in uniform have done everything we have asked them to do, and more.  Over 3,000 have made the ultimate sacrifice.  More than 20,000 others have been injured, many very seriously.  Let no one doubt the bravery of our troops and the support that I and my colleagues opposed to this war have for them.

I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices our men and women in uniform – and their families – are willing to make every day.  They continue the long distinguished line of soldiers, sailors and airmen that have kept our country – and many others – free from tyranny and oppression. 

But their service is due more than just heartfelt appreciation and flowery words from politicians.  Their sacrifice and service is owed responsible leadership from those civilian leaders with whom power ultimately rests.  And that is where our soldiers have been let down. 

This Administration has taken arrogance, stubbornness and incompetence to new heights. 

It ignored the advice of military experts leading up to and throughout this war. 

It stocked reconstruction teams with well connected, but incompetent, hacks and it brushed off the indisputable reality of an Iraq in meltdown.

It dismissed the considered opinion of the Iraq Study group, the Congress and, most important, the American people.

Make no mistake, the failure of the Iraq war lies at the highest levels of the White House and at the desks of the Pentagon’s civilian leadership.  And the cost of that failure is borne by our troops and their families, and by the Iraqi people. 

It is past time for the Administration to stop obfuscating about conditions on the ground in Iraq, stop the charade about so-called new plans that will finally bring success in Iraq.

It is time, Madam Speaker, to stop the war in Iraq.

Support the troops, indeed. 

Bring them home.

Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.