Rep. Lofgren Votes to Withdraw U.S. Forces From Iraq

Press Release

Rep. Lofgren Votes to Withdraw U.S. Forces From Iraq

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today voted for H.R. 2237, which would require the Secretary of Defense to begin the redeployment of members of the Armed Forces and contractors operating in Iraq within 90 days. The bill would further require that the redeployment be completed within 180 days from the date it began, or within 270 days of the enactment of the legislation.

The bill also contains language that:

* Would expressly prohibit the use of any funds appropriated to the Department of Defense to increase the number of Armed Forces personnel serving in Iraq in excess of the number serving as of January 1, 2007.
* Would leave the decision on the locations outside Iraq to which the U.S. troops should be redeployed to the commanders in the field.
* Would permit the continuing deployment in Iraq of Armed Forces personnel for limited purposes, including protection of the U.S. Embassy, U.S. diplomatic missions, and U.S. citizens in Iraq, engaging in targeted special operations limited to the pursuit of members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations with global reach, and training and equipping the Iraqi Security Forces.
* Would prohibit any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.
* Would allow the continued funding of training for Iraqi Security Forces, support multinational forces engaged in security and stabilization efforts, provide for diplomatic, social and economic reconstruction activities in Iraq, and make asylum and other means of protection available to Iraqi citizens endangered by the redeployment.

"It is time we cancel the President's blank check," stated Rep. Zoe Lofgren. "Our armed forces have served bravely and honorably, and too many have sacrificed their lives doing so. The failure in Iraq is not a failure of these fighting men and women. It is a failure of command, a failure of political leadership, and a failure of the administration. The challenges faced in Iraq cannot be solved militarily, no matter how brave our soldiers are. Even the generals tell us that a political and diplomatic solution is necessary. The American people, and this Congress, have had enough. It is time to remove our troops from the middle of this sectarian civil war.

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