The Safe and Orderly Withdrawal from Iraq Act
THE SAFE AND ORDERLY WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ ACT
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, there is no issue more important to the American people and to the Members of this Congress than the war in Iraq. Over 3,000 American military personnel have been killed in this war. Over 22,000 have been wounded in combat-related action. Some have been injured for life. Several thousand more of our troops have sustained serious injuries or suffered sickness while serving in Iraq; and tens of thousands of Iraqi men, women, and children dead.
So far, it has cost the United States $387 billion, and next week we will receive another supplemental request from the President in the range of $100 billion to $130 billion more.
In blood, in treasure, the costs of the war in Iraq have been high. I believe, Mr. Speaker, that we must change the dynamic in Iraq. We must end our occupation, engage the countries in the region to help the Iraqis negotiate an end to the sectarian violence tearing their country apart, and let the Iraqi people determine their own destiny.
I firmly believe, Mr. Speaker, there is no military victory to be had in Iraq. So I am convinced that we must focus our efforts on the uniformed men and women we have put in harm's way and bring them safely home. This is why I am introducing today the Safe and Orderly Withdrawal from Iraq Act.
This is a very straightforward bill, Mr. Speaker. Within 30 days of enactment, the United States would initiate a safe, orderly, and responsible withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq.
The withdrawal would take no more than 6 months and include the transfer to the Iraqi government of all bases and facilities that have been operated or occupied by U.S. military personnel. During the withdrawal period, funding is maintained to ensure that our forces have the ability to complete or transfer their duties in an orderly manner, defend themselves as necessary, and be fully supported as they move out of Iraq. Once the withdrawal is completed, defense funding for the war would end.
Under this bill, financial support and equipment could continue to be provided to the Iraqi security forces or to a multilateral force the Iraqi government might request for help in continuing the training of their forces and in providing security during the period of withdrawal and afterwards.
Nothing in this bill affects U.S. funding for economic and social reconstruction projects. The bill also allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete reconstruction projects currently under way should the Iraqi government make such a request.
Finally, the bill asserts the authority of the President to arrange asylum for those Iraqi citizens who might be physically endangered by the withdrawal of our military presence. As we all know, many Iraqi civilians have bravely served our Armed Forces as translators, drivers, administrative staff and in other capacities. Should they be threatened with violence or retaliation because of their association with our forces, we should extend to them the protection they require and that they deserve.
Mr. Speaker, this bill does not walk away from Iraq. It maintains financial equipment and material support for the Iraqi military and security forces. It continues economic, social and reconstruction assistance for Iraq, and its impact would trigger greater diplomatic engagement in the region which is missing at the present moment.
Mr. Speaker, there are no easy answers for the many questions facing Iraq's future. There is no perfect legislative answer for the situation in Iraq. But I do know that our troops do not belong in the crossfire of a violent Iraqi sectarian war. The American people understand this. They are far ahead of the politicians in Washington. They want us to do what is right. They want us to bring our troops home, and they want that to happen in a safe, orderly and responsible manner.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that this war in Iraq is a moral blunder. I believe that the war in Iraq represents one of the biggest political, diplomatic and military mistakes in our history. It is time for us to end this war. I urge my colleagues to support the Safe and Orderly Withdrawal from Iraq Act.
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