A VOICE FOR PEACE WITH IRAQ

LEADING THE EFFORT IN CONGRESS TO END THE WAR IN IRAQ
It’s been over five years since the U.S. first invaded Iraq, and the subsequent devastation to the United States and Iraq has been tremendous.  As a direct result of this occupation, over 4,100 American soldiers have lost their lives, more than 30,000 others have been gravely wounded, four million Iraqis have become refugees, and an estimated 50,000 innocent Iraqi civilians have been killed.  The economic cost of this occupation to our country has been staggering – over $653 billion spent in a mere five years, with no end in sight to this profligate waste.  Despite these massive expenditures, this occupation has failed to protect America from the threat of international terrorism.  At the same time, the Bush Administration has failed to properly support our troops in the field, some of whom are on their third and fourth rotations to Iraq.  Many of these men and women in uniform were not supplied with the body armor, armored plating for Humvees, and Camelbak water hydration systems needed to survive.

With the support of many of my House colleagues, I have led the charge in Congress to end the war in Iraq.  I introduced H. Con. Res. 35, the first legislation calling on the President to bring the troops home.  Additionally, I also introduced a straightforward amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, which would have expressed the sense of Congress that the President should develop a plan for the redeployment of troops from Iraq.  Although my amendment was defeated, this was the first time a redeployment of troops was formally debated on the House Floor, and I was proud to lead this effort.  I convened informal hearings to discuss strategies for U.S. military disengagement from Iraq, a first in Congress.  The goals of these hearings were to break the silence on Capitol Hill and facilitate a broader, ongoing public discussion about U.S. military disengagement from Iraq and real progress on Iraqi reconstruction and reconciliation.

I voted for H.Con.Res. 63, the resolution passed by the House last year condemning the President’s decision to perpetuate the occupation of Iraq by sending more than twenty thousand additional American soldiers to Iraq.  I have voted repeatedly to prohibit permanent bases in Iraq, as well.

Additionally, I led an effort to send a letter to President Bush notifying him that I, and 91 of my Congressional colleagues, will only support funding to fully fund a redeployment of troops and military contractors from Iraq – not a blank check to expand the occupation.  As a result, I voted against the emergency spending bills to fund the escalation and continue the occupation of Iraq.  While I worked closely with the Democratic Leadership to try to improve the bills, in the end, I could not support them.  Unfortunately, the bills gave the President more money than he requested and did not include enforceable benchmarks or timetables for the Iraqi government nor for the Bush Administration.

I have supported measures that would give the Administration a real deadline to bring our troops home.  This would in no way cut off funding for the troops.  Instead, it will fully fund the complete redeployment of our troops and military contractors from Iraq.

Iraq’s legislators and civilians have overwhelmingly voted their preference that the U.S. military should begin to leave Iraq.  That’s why I led a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki commending him on his demands that the U.S. set a timetable for the redeployment of troops and military contractors.

You can be assured that I will continue to fight for an end to the military occupation of Iraq, and I won’t stop until these efforts have succeeded.

It is because of the alarming situation in Iraq that I introduced H.R. 508, the Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act, which will end the occupation of Iraq, while strengthening the Iraqi government and meeting the needs of our returning troops. This important piece of legislation will end our military operations in Iraq within six months of passing the bill; will ensure that security and stability in Iraq are achieved through diplomacy; will provide for the safe return of all U.S. troops and contractors in Iraq; and will guarantee physical and mental health care for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq.  The people of Iraq must be able control their own affairs as Iraq transitions towards democracy.  We can accomplish this by supporting the Iraqi people – not through our military – but through international cooperation to help rebuild Iraq’s economic and physical infrastructure.

The purpose of the so-called “surge” was to create space for political reconciliation.  Sadly, this never came to fruition. That’s why I introduced H.R. 5925, the International Partnership for Reconciliation in Iraq Act of 2008, which strengthens international efforts to encourage peaceful and positive contact, dialogue, and reconciliation.  The bill ensures that the United States Institute for Peace has consistent support to continue to carry out its excellent reconciliation work.  The Institute will be able to advance programs such as interethnic reconciliation and dialogue, civic education, and the training of civil servants and ministry officials.  These will be the building blocks of a new Iraq and a more secure region.

As I stated on the day the House Floor: I will not stop; I will not rest; and I will not back down in my fight until every last service member is home safe with his or her family.

I will continue to support the brave men and women on the front lines and support measures that fully fund a safe and timely military redeployment.  At the same time, we must ensure that our returning heroes have all the support we can provide.

(updated Sept. 2008)