Issue Position: Iraq

Issue Position

In October 2002, I voted against the Iraq war resolution, believing that the Administration was mistakenly taking a "go it alone" approach. More than four years later, Americans in the 2nd Congressional District and across the country are increasingly frustrated with the war in Iraq. I share their concern about our current course.

It's time for a new direction in Iraq. I believe that instead of spending our military might keeping a lid on Iraq's civil war, we should focus on fighting terrorists, using all the elements of our national power.

That's why I voted for the Iraq Accountability Act (H.R.1591), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in March, 2007. The Iraq Accountability Act provides needed funding for our troops. It re-focuses our efforts on fighting terrorists. It holds the president accountable for his policies in Iraq, and it holds the Iraqi government accountable for the benchmarks the president himself has set. Unfortunately, keeping a lid on the Iraq war is absorbing our resources and preventing us from pursuing terrorists who will do us harm. The Iraq Accountability Act does not place a deadline on pursuing and killing terrorists. But it does set a clear timeline for the redeployment of all American combat forces from Iraq who are not fighting terrorists.

Under our current policies, this country is sending men and women to Iraq in violation of the Defense Department's own standards for training, equipment and time at home. That hurts our military readiness and hurts our military families. That's why I supported legislation that passed the House to mandate minimum rest periods for active duty and reserve members of the Armed Forces between deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom. This bill would strengthen our military and support military families.

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