Rep. DeGette Votes Against Republican Politicization of Iraq War

Rep. DeGette Votes Against Republican Politicization of Iraq War

- Republicans Offer Sham Debate, Shirk Oversight Reasonability -

The day after the Pentagon confirmed 2,500 U.S. solders had been killed and nearly four years after the House authorized the use of force in Iraq, Republican leaders voted on H.R. 861, a shameful political stunt entitled the Resolution on the War in Iraq. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) voted against this resolution.

"Calling this a true debate on Iraq is a joke, and the Republican majority knows it. The Majority Leader has admitted the true motive - to use this issue in the fall elections against the Democrats. Shame on him and shame on the Republican majority for callously restricting what should be a full debate about the most important issue facing our country. Shame on them for trying to set a political trap and not allowing amendments or a full debate," said Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO).

During the four years since the House authorized the use of force, the Iraq war has claimed the lives of 2,500 U.S. solders, with roughly 18,000 wounded, approximately, tens of thousands of Iraqi civilian deaths, and more than $320 billion of taxpayer dollars with no end in sight.

"After the tragedy and horror of September 11, 2001, everyone saw the threat posed by Al Qaeda. I voted for the authorization for President George W. Bush to use force against the Taliban in Afghanistan who were harboring Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. I am a strong supporter of the war on terrorism," said DeGette. "When President Bush came to Congress and asked for authorization to invade Iraq, he made no case that that country was an imminent threat to the United States, or, in fact, related to our international fight against terrorism. So, I opposed the authorization for President Bush to use military force against Iraq in 2002, and that vote is the proudest vote I have taken in nearly 10 years in Congress."

Representative DeGette voted against the authorization for the Iraq war and has called for greater congressional oversight in the war's management. The Republicans have restricted debate on Iraq and provided no oversight of the White House's management of the war. Representative DeGette wants to move in a new direction, ensuring that 2006 becomes a year of significant transition with Iraqis assuming responsibility for their country and with the responsible redeployment of U.S. forces.

"Enough is enough. Enough devastation for mothers and fathers who have lost children in Iraq; enough heartache for their loved ones and friends; enough young lives cut short; enough being forced to shortchange domestic priorities like health care and homeland security because billions are being spent on Iraq. We have given the Iraqis a chance. That is all they can ask of us and that is all we can ask of ourselves. As such, it is time to shift troops to the periphery of the conflict and redirect some resources currently being used in Iraq back to America," said DeGette. "Despite what the Republican majority suggests through this Resolution, saying it is now time to begin redeploying troops and that President Bush needs to develop a plan to do so is not arbitrary. It is, in fact, a reasonable calculation that the cost of Iraq is no longer worth any benefit we may achieve by continuing our armed presence there. The majority of the American people have made it clear they feel it is simply not worth more blood to achieve perfection in Iraq. They are right. It is time we in Congress listened."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/iraq.html