Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Ron Klein (FL-22), a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, this morning responded to President Bush’s address to the nation on Iraq.

In his address, President Bush announced that he will cut Army combat tours in Iraq from their current, historically long duration of 15 months to 12 months. Bush also announced that he will indefinitely suspend the drawdown of forces in Iraq. This decision will leave approximately 140,000 American troops in Iraq through November, still more than were there before the President’s troop surge.

“President Bush announced this morning that when it comes to the war in Iraq, he will remain exactly where he has been all along – calling for more money, more time, and more sacrifice from our soldiers and their families” Klein said. “Yet the American people, and many of us in Congress, believe it is time for a strategic shift when it comes to our Iraq policy.”

Klein joined other members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday to hear testimony from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. Following that hearing, Klein noted that while families in South Florida and across the country are tightening their belts due to the skyrocketing costs of gas and groceries, we continue to spend $339 million every day reconstructing Iraq.

“At a time when the Iraqi government is raking in billions of dollars in oil revenue, the American people are rightfully asking why we are continuing to foot the bill for their reconstruction,” Klein said.

Klein also noted that the war in Iraq has distracted the United States from the real war on terrorism and the critical fight for Afghanistan.

“This war has cost our country more than 4,000 brave young men and women,” Klein said. “Yet despite America’s sacrifice, the Iraqi government has yet to make any real political progress and is failing to provide basic services for its citizens. As a result, I have to conclude that more of the same strategy, as President Bush announced today, is not the answer.”