Time for a Responsible End to the War in Iraq

All of us in this chamber and in this nation support our troops. They have fought bravely with love of this great country upper-most in their hearts. They have done all that we have asked them to do. They have done their job well. And now in this Congress, Mr. Speaker, we must do ours.

The President has indicated that he thinks this war will continue for another decade. But Mr. Speaker, we must not concede to a 10-year war.

Over 3,850 brave American lives have been lost. 163 Ohio soldiers have been killed. More than 28,000 of our nation's finest have been wounded. 2007 has been the deadliest year for U.S. troops since this war began four and a half years ago.

Our troops have been stretched woefully thin, exposing this nation to greater risk, not less.

We have already spent over $450 billion on the war in Iraq. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the President's war policies could cost $2.4 trillion in the next decade. And the president insists in getting that money that it come with no strings, no oversight, no accountability, no questions asked.

And in return, he offers to the American people, and to our brave troops, no end in sight.

It is time for a new direction. We must not proceed further down the road to a 10-year war. This bill requires a transition in the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq from combat to force and diplomatic protection. It provides for targeted counterterrorism operations, and this bill prohibits deployment to Iraq of troops who are not fully equipped and fully trained. It prohibits the use of torture as described in the Army Field Manual. And it changes direction from the 10-year war plan being offered by the President toward a responsible plan redeploying our troops, while providing our troops with the resources they need.

When I visited Iraq, I saw some of the hardships and the obstacles our troops face, and I also saw the commitment and the dedication in each of those men and women. They truly took my breath away. They deserve a policy that is worthy of their commitment and their sacrifice.

The bill before us today gives our troops the support, the equipment, the training they need to responsibly redeploy. It repairs the readiness of our military and refocuses our efforts on fighting terrorism around the world.

Last November, people across the nation cast their ballots seeking a change in direction. After more than four years and countless taxpayer dollars, this Congress has a responsibility to tell this President that the status quo is not acceptable.

It's time to bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq and to focus on fighting terrorism and protecting the nation.