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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st) joined by House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Menendez, Democratic Floor Whip Diana DeGette, House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Ike Skelton, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) of the House Armed Services Committee and Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) of the House Intelligence Committee released a letter to President Bush today asking him to provide answers to critical questions on his plans for post-war Iraq before Congress votes on his request for an $87 billion supplemental appropriation for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The letter notes that the request for the supplemental spending for Iraq “comes at a time when operations in Iraq have not proceeded according to the expectations you and your Administration laid out to Congress or the American people.” Because of concerns about the lack of clarity of U.S. operations in Iraq, the Members ask the President to provide answers to the American public, Congress, our troops in Iraq and our allies on six key questions:
- How the Administration plans to reduce attacks on American troops in Iraq;
- How the Administration plans to expand international financial and military participation in the rebuilding of Iraq;
- How the Administration plans to reduce the number of American troops in Iraq and address concerns about the degradation of military readiness;
- What the total dollar amount the U.S. will ultimately have to spend to rebuild Iraq;
- What the total cost in 2004 for rebuilding Iraq will be and how much of that will come from international bodies;
- What progress has been made in finding the missing arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that presented such an imminent threat to the United States?
“Supporting our troops is paramount,” said Berry. “I have grave concerns, however, that President Bush is spending taxpayer money on the infrastructure, health care and education needs of Iraqis and Afghanis without a plan outlining how long we intend to be there and how much we intend to spend. President Bush owes the American people and Congress the courtesy of an explanation outlining how he plans to fund these foreign programs without forcing our children and grandchildren any deeper in debt and – maybe more importantly – why his priorities seem to lie in Iraq and not here at home.”
The text of the letter follows:
October 1, 2003
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington
Dear Mr. President:
Just over six months ago, on March 19, American forces launched military operations to depose Saddam Hussein. The initial military component of this operation succeeded and the Iraqi people are rid of a gruesome dictator. The American people are justifiably proud of the performance and accomplishments of our armed forces in this war.
Congress will soon be asked to vote on spending at least $87 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan in 2004 following $79 billion in expenditures for 2003. This request comes at a time when operations in Iraq have not proceeded according to the expectations you and your Administration laid out to Congress or the American people. As a result, there are growing questions about the costs and the Administration’s goals for our current occupation of Iraq. This lack of direction from the White House is resulting in an erosion of support for the operation in the United States, increasing doubts in foreign capitals about American foreign policy and a drop in morale among our forces in Iraq. With the passing of the six-month mark since the beginning of the War in Iraq and the continuing debate on the $87 billion supplemental appropriations bill, we ask you to talk straight to the American public, Congress, our troops in Iraq and our allies and answer the following questions:
1. What is your plan to stabilize Iraq, reduce attacks on American soldiers and enable the Iraqi people to elect their own national and local governments?
2. What is your plan to get the international community to truly join with the United States and provide troops, financial support and technical expertise to assist in the stabilization and rebuilding of Iraq as well as substantial input into the reconstruction of Iraq?
3. What is your plan to both reduce the number of American troops in Iraq and address concerns about degradation of military readiness?
4. What is the total dollar amount you expect the United States taxpayers will ultimately have to pay to rebuild Iraq to the point that it will be a self-sufficient nation?
5. How much money do we need to secure from international bodies and foreign governments, in addition to the $87 billion supplemental, to meet our current goals and timeline for rebuilding Iraq in 2004? If we do not secure those additional funds, will the United States need to spend more than $87 billion in 2004?
6. What specific progress has been made to find and secure the missing arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that presented such an imminent threat to the United States prior to military action and could now be in the hands of terrorists or rogue states such as Iran or Syria?
It is critical to the interests and security of the United States that we succeed in rebuilding and establishing a stable, democratic government in Iraq. To accomplish this, Mr. President, the American people, Congress and our troops in Iraq need true leadership and direction from you and a real understanding of the challenges that lie ahead. We respectfully request that you provide answers to these questions either in an address to the nation or in writing by October 19.
Sincerely,
Marion Berry Diana DeGette
Steny Hoyer Robert Menendez
Ike Skelton Ellen Tauscher
Rush Holt |
