Heinrich Takes Wilson to Task for Continued Blind Support of Bush's Failed Policies in Iraq

Press Release

First District Democratic congressional candidate and Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich today criticized Republican Congresswoman Heather Wilson for voting against the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act (HR2956). The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives yesterday by a margin of 223 to 210, calls for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq to begin within 120 days of enactment of the legislation. The withdrawal would be completed by April 1, 2008.

"I am saddened - but not shocked - that Heather Wilson continues to march in lock-step with George Bush on this crucial issue," said Heinrich today. "Congresswoman Wilson still refuses to face the realities of our situation in Iraq. The Bush Administration's own "progress" report on Iraq benchmarks makes clear that the surge is not working. There has been no significant progress on so many fronts - but Heather Wilson and George Bush continue to cling to their failed strategies."

"Since the surge began, we have lost nearly 600 more American service members," Heinrich continued. "We have now lost more than 3600 brave men and women in this war. But even these heartbreaking figures are not enough to convince Heather Wilson that we have a grave responsibility to create a new direction in Iraq."

"Even as Republicans across the country - including Senator Domenici - begin to acknowledge that five years of failed policy in Iraq must end, Heather Wilson refuses to face reality," said Heinrich. "What New Mexico and the country desperately need are leaders who are committed to creating a strategic vision for stability in the Middle East, to removing our brave men and women from harm's way, and to bringing them home safely."

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