House Rejects Withdrawing Troops from Iraq
House Rejects Withdrawing Troops from Iraq
WASHINGTONThe U.S. House today voted overwhelmingly against withdrawing U.S. troops out of Iraq. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) issued the following statement:
"Congress has sent a clear message to our enemies and to our allies that we cannot and will not hastily retreat from Iraq. Our troops continue to be courageous even though most of their hard work sadly gets little coverage in the press. They deserve better and I am glad that Congress is standing with our troops until the job is done.
"All of us want our troops to return home as soon as possible, but the goal of a stable and free Iraq must be accomplished first. To cut and run would irreparably damage our nation's reputation as a defender of freedom, would allow terrorists to fester and prosper, and would seriously threaten the security and future of the Middle East, Israel and the United States.
"Instead of a hasty exit, we need to fulfill our promise to the Iraqi people. Iraqi Security Forces continue to improve and become more independent. But they are not ready to take full control yet. The last thing we want to do is leave a vacuum in Iraq for terrorist groups to fill."
http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/news/2005news/111805_iraq.htm