Rep. DeGette Hails Passage of Bill to End Iraq War

Press Release

Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) voted today to support the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act. H.R 1591 is a $124 billion emergency spending bill that will began the process of withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq.

"Today I had the opportunity to support legislation that will change America's course in Iraq," said Rep. DeGette. "The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act shows that Congress is no longer a rubber stamp for President Bush's failed Iraq policy."

H.R. 1591 is legislation that will, for the first time require the President to:

* Set an August 2008 deadline for the removal of U.S. forces from Iraq.
* Enforce established readiness standards for the deployment of U.S. combat forces.
* And certify on July 1, and October 1, 2007 that the Iraq government is meeting political and military benchmarks.

"The Iraq war has dragged on for four long years and the cost in both lives lost and taxpayer money spent has been staggering. Ending this war would allow us to redirect the billions that would otherwise be spent in Iraq to important domestic priorities like providing health care to millions of low-income children," said Rep. DeGette.

Other funding priorities included in the bill are veterans' health care, recovery for the Gulf Coast as a result of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and drought relief.

"This bill provides needed money now for veterans' health care and makes sure we keep commitments to provide health insurance to poor children. It also offers relief to farmers and ranchers like those in eastern Colorado who have been hit hard by drought," said Rep. DeGette. "Passing this bill will help address these emergencies, support our troops, and responsibly end our military involvement in Iraq over a reasonable period of time."

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