Abercrombie votes against resolution to keep US troops in Iraq indefinitely 

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Congressman Abercrombie's floor speach

Washington, DC -- Congressman Neil Abercrombie voted today against a resolution which calls for U.S. forces to stay in Iraq indefinitely, rejects a timetable for bringing U.S. troops home, and provides an unconditional endorsement for the current Iraqi government which has proposed amnesty for the killers of U.S. troops.

Abercrombie appeared yesterday on the House floor with his hands tied in rope to speak against House Resolution 861 and dramatize his point that the House Republican leadership had “tied the hands” of Congress by refusing to allow the introduction of amendments to the measure.

Abercrombie had proposed an amendment based on House Joint Resolution 55, a bipartisan measure sponsored by himself, Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) and others.

House Joint Resolution 55 calls on the President to announce a plan to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq, with withdrawal to begin no later than October 1, 2006.

The House Republican leadership refused to permit consideration of any amendments to House Resolution 861.

“The American people deserve a true debate on a life and death issue like this,” said Abercrombie.  “That means full consideration and a vote on the full range of alternatives to the Bush Administration’s current policy.

“This war is now the Iraqis’ to win and it is time for them to win it.  They now have more than 400,000 security forces under arms – every one of them paid for by the American people.  The Iraqis have an elected government in place.  Our troops have done a superb job in Iraq.  What’s missing is a national policy worthy of their courage and sacrifices.  They should not be held hostage to an Iraqi government that’s set to pardon the killers who plant the IEDs and fire the shots aimed at them.

“The cost of the war is now beyond even the worst case estimates of those of us who opposed it from the start.  More than 2,500 US troops have died.  Almost 19,000 have been wounded.  Tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis have died.  The U.S. military is strained to the breaking point in Iraq while truly vital national security interests in other parts of the world are neglected.  The American people have spent more than $400 billion to pay for this war while the Republican Congress continues to slash taxes for the ultra-rich and cut assistance to working families, children and senior citizens.

“Congress does not have to follow President Bush as he takes our country over a cliff in Iraq.  It is time to insist on a responsible drawdown of our troops in Iraq.  If we do not take that path now, they will be stuck in Iraq as targets in a civil war for decades.

“The Constitution gives Congress the power to decide matters of war and peace.  We should do be allowed to do our job, bring our troops home and reject the President’s failed ‘stay the course’ policy in Iraq.”

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