Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 - Continued

Floor Speech

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Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, the amendment I offer this evening is very straightforward. Put simply, I offer this amendment to support and affirm President Obama's plan to end the war in Iraq. This amendment expresses the sense of the Senate that the funding provided in this bill will be used in accordance with the United States-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement signed this past fall. This agreement--SOFA as it is often referred to--makes it clear that our combat mission in Iraq will end next summer.

President Obama has been unwavering in his commitment to get our troops out of Iraq. He has repeatedly stated--and in very straightforward terms--that by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end. President Obama has gone further and declared that any troops remaining in Iraq after that date will be either training Iraqi forces, conducting targeted counterterrorism missions, or protecting U.S. personnel still in Iraq.

After 6 years of intense military operations in Iraq, the time has come to empower the Iraqis to provide their own national security. We must continue to provide training to protect U.S. personnel in the country and to conduct narrowly focused counterinsurgency missions when necessary. The United States should also provide funding for projects that rebuild Iraq's infrastructure, strengthen its economy, and improve the living conditions of its citizens.

Colleagues, next month, the 41st Brigade Combat Team of the Oregon National Guard will send 3,000 soldiers to Iraq. This is the largest deployment of the Oregon National Guard since World War II. I honor these men and women for their valiant and critical service, but I hope in the near future we will know that this is the last such deployment of our men and women we will send to Iraq.

I urge adoption of this amendment.

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