U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007

Floor Speech

U.S. TROOP READINESS, VETERANS' CARE, KATRINA RECOVERY, AND IRAQ ACCOUNTABILITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 15, 2007)

* Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of beginning the process to redeploy our troops in the coming months.

* I first began calling for troop redeployment early last year when--despite the removal of Saddam Hussein, significant training of Iraqi police and army units, and the opening for a potential democracy in the Middle East--it became clear, it was time for a new direction in Iraq. I called for our troops to be redeployed within the year as it had become all too evident that they would be caught in the middle of escalating sectarian violence if they stayed. I urged the administration to adopt the recommendations of the Iraq study group to get the most stable result, but the administration rejected that advice and escalated the war.

* Yet today, as violence in Iraq has only gotten worse with the number of U.S. dead and wounded continuing to grow and countless numbers of Iraqis dying in what has become a full blown civil war, this Administration tries to impose a military solution that cannot work. The escalation, which this administration now says will last until next spring, is simply the wrong way to go. Let us serve our men and women fighting overseas and recognize their sacrifices by charting a new course in Iraq.

* Over the coming months, we must begin a responsible withdrawal of our troops. Only by moving forward with a redeployment of our troops can we provide the teeth necessary to force the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government to implement the benchmarks they set themselves, including de- bathification, minority rights, and sharing oil revenue.

* I fully support funding for our troops as we scale down our operations in Iraq. I also believe the United States must stay engaged, leaving a limited number of forces to hunt down Al Qaeda and other terrorist operatives, help train Iraqi forces, and maintain a presence in neighboring countries.

* It is just as important for this administration to start getting serious about a diplomatic offensive. I believe it must work harder in coordination with Iraq's neighbors and other leading countries to help the Iraqis settle their political differences and provide support for the reconstruction efforts.

* By bringing the vast majority of our troops home in the coming months we will show both the Iraqis and the world that we are serious, that we believe the military mission is done, and that it is time for the Iraqis to take accountability for their country.

* Mr. Speaker, by voting to redeploy in the coming months, I vote for accountability in Iraq. We can delay no longer. As a Congress we have a responsibility to support the troops, to honor our commitment to veterans, hold the Iraqi government accountable, and continue to press the President to change course and end this war.

* I have made this clear before, and I will repeat it again here, today. Too many lives are at stake: I have crossed the Rubicon on this war.

* Yet the President has chosen another path. While the American people continue to throw their hands in the air, this administration continues to ignore the painful consequences of its disastrous strategy. With his own veto last week, the President made clear his strategy will not change--unless we do something about it, here today.

* We all know our troops will do anything their country asks--but let us not ask them to sacrifice everything for the wrong mission. We have a responsibility to get it right.

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