President's Speech to the Nation

PRESIDENT'S SPEECH TO THE NATION -- (House of Representatives - June 29, 2005)

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, the President of the United States misled this Nation to justify his invasion of Iraq. There were no weapons of mass destruction; there were no ties to al Qaeda. Our men and women are now engulfed in a violent quagmire and endless war. There is no strategy, only spin. Last night, in his speech to the Nation, the President shamelessly, in my opinion, invoked the terrible tragedy of September 11 to justify our continued occupation.

Mr. Speaker, the fact that Iraq has become a haven for terrorists is due to this President's failed policy in that country. Our continued massive presence fuels the insurgency and is a magnet for foreign fighters.

It takes no courage for a President or a Congressman to stand up and say ``stay the course.'' It is not our lives that are on the line. We owe our soldiers better.

It is time for the President to admit that this war was a mistake. It is time for us to begin an orderly withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. It is time for President Bush to end his war.

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