Foreign Relations Authorizations Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007

FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2006 AND 2007 -- (House of Representatives - July 20, 2005)

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Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Chairman, let me state outright that I am opposed to this amendment simply because we cannot allow our soldiers to remain under siege for an indefinite period of time while Congress has no serious answers from the administration about the core challenges we face in Iraq, the progress we have made and/or a strategy for success.

When we invaded Iraq, the administration claimed that we would be received as great liberators and that we would start withdrawing troops in just a few short months. But instead we face a strong insurgency, rising death toll with over 1,700 soldiers dead and at least 13,400 wounded in action. The disastrous miscalculations and misleading estimates that surround this war have exacted a very high toll on the American purse and our families. I cannot agree to any legislation that calls for us to continue this course while Congress is denied critical information needed to evaluate our progress in Iraq.

The amendment before us calls for the transfer of responsibility to Iraqi forces only when they are ready to assume such responsibility. However, it fails to address a plan for improving the training of Iraqi soldiers that will enable them to take on that responsibility.

How will Iraqi forces ever assume responsibility if we fail to adequately train them?

Sadly, we have no real answers and no real strategy for shifting responsibility and reducing U.S. involvement financially and militarily.

Congress has in good faith provided this administration with billions of dollars for military efforts in Iraq. This body has lived up to its end of the bargain and provided funding for our troops. But our questions and concerns about our progress go unanswered. Our Constitution was carefully crafted to allow a balance of power in our government. I oppose this amendment because I refuse to abandon that balance and surrender the responsibility of this body to hold the administration accountable for its actions.

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