Speech on the Topic of Iraq

Speech of

HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

OF CONNECTICUT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2004

Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, all of us in this chamber are united in our commitment to support our troops in Iraq. It is that commitment that creates a strong presumption in my own mind on any resolution that recognizes their honorable goals, their services to country and their need for best support possible.

Along with my Democratic colleagues, we would also rush to sponsor and support a resolution that highlighted the crimes of Saddam

Hussein. There was never any disagreement in this Chamber on the evil he represented and we all applaud our troops for bringing him to justice. They did the job they were asked to do and more.

But I pause on supporting this resolution on two counts. This war has not brought greater stability to the area. It has not enhanced America's leadership position or created stronger alliances. While our soldiers have fought with honor-even as we speak here-the administration failed to support their efforts with a plan to win the peace, bring stability or share the burden and risk. We still wait for the President to speak honestly with the American people about the failed intelligence estimates and the reasons for the rush to war. America remains isolated, which is itself a risk to our security and our troops.

This resolution is silent on these questions and the leadership will not allow them to be addressed.

There is no commitment to ensuring that our troops have the best protection equipment available, no commitment to getting wounded troops the best health care as quickly as possible. There is no mention of the heroic contributions our reserve troops have provided or the very serious challenges that lie ahead in Iraq. Any resolution honoring and supporting our troops would express these sentiments.

What I find most egregious is that at the very moment we debate this resolution, the Budget Committee is considering a budget that omits funding for many of our most pressing priorities in Iraq. During consideration of this budget, the majority has turned aside efforts to increase our commitment to health care for reservists, for military housing programs and to educate military schoolchildren. At a time when we have families of troops searching the Internet to buy body armor for their loved ones in Iraq because this Congress has failed to provide it for them, that is the very least we should be doing for these brave men and women. Had Democrats been allowed the elemental rights of a minority, we would have incorporated language that made clear Congress's first obligation was to provide our troops in Iraq with the security and the best equipment available.

To be frank, the hypocrisy of this Congress in offering this resolution but not the actual support, tempts me to fight back and protest on behalf of our men and women in Iraq and in the reserves.

But stronger in my heart is an appreciation for our troops that keep us free. I cast my vote for those words in the resolution and express my personal exception to the majority's maneuvering that has diminished their resolution and our work.

Fortunately, we will have more opportunities to express our views about our postwar policy in Iraq and failure to genuinely support our military and veterans.