BREAKING: McNerney to deliver floor speech on Iraq War tonight

BREAKING NEWS: Congressman Jerry McNerney will deliver a speech tonight on the floor of the House of Representatives outlining his opposition to President Bush’s plans for escalating the war in Iraq. The speech will take place sometime between 6-9 p.m. PST tonight (Tuesday, Feb. 13) and will be available live on C-SPAN. The text of his remarks will be available soon.

If you would like to share your thoughts with the Congressman on his speech, please post your comments below.

UPDATE: Congressman McNerney's full remarks are below, as prepared for delivery:

“The young men and women who joined the Armed Forces after 9/11 out of a sense of duty and love for our country are just like my son, Michael, who joined the military because of those terrible attacks.

“I’m proud and heartened by their commitment to service and patriotism – just as I am of my own son’s commitment.

“And I’m concerned about their safety and well being – just as I was about Michael’s when he was in the service.

“When I talk about supporting the troops, it’s not rhetorical, it’s personal.

“It is with great sadness and steely resolve that I stand up tonight on the issue of the Iraq and the President’s plan to escalate the conflict.

“I’m saddened because the misguided and mismanaged conflict has become a tragic disaster and a genuine threat to Middle East stability and global security.

“The escalation will cause more violence in the Middle East and will weaken our nation.

“I’m resolved because it’s our duty as the Congress of this great nation to check and balance the power of the President on any issue we believe harmful to our country.

“This Administration insists on finding a military answer rather than changing this failed approach and pursuing the diplomatic and political solutions necessary to bring an end to the violence. 

“Unfortunately, the President’s plan to escalate the war in Iraq will not bring success there or make the United States more secure.  In fact, the proposal means a further distraction from the mission in Afghanistan and the need for a tougher, smarter approach to the global war on terrorism.

“The President’s proposal puts more U.S. lives at risk, further stretching the readiness of our ground forces and increasing the drain on our Treasury.

“President Bush’s plan is opposed by military experts, by Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of Congress, and by the vast majority of our country.

“That’s why I rise in strong support of the resolution under consideration in this body.

“The resolution has two straightforward provisions:

1. Continuing support for those American soldiers who have served or are currently serving in Iraq, and
2. Disagreeing with the President’s plan to escalate the conflict and deploy an additional 21,500 combat troops to Iraq .

“Supporting our troops is my top priority, not just because it is our duty and responsibility, but because it is personal for me and my family.

“Recently the Washington Post reported that the Marine Corps and Army brigades that would be sent to Iraq under the President’s plan are short body armor, vehicles and other important equipment. This shows just how desperate the President’s misguided plan is. Military action should never be executed in desperation.

“We must transfer the responsibility for establishing and maintaining law and order on the streets in Iraq to the Iraqis.  Training of those Iraqi units must be done outside of Iraq.  This will mean more troops trained more quickly, and will lessen the likelihood that Iraqi army and police recruits turn to dangerous militias and death squads.

“The members of our Armed Forces who have served in Iraq have done so bravely and honorably.

“Unfortunately, the President’s strategy in Iraq has not matched the commitment with which our troops have served in that country.

“We must begin a responsible redeployment of our troops out of Iraq on a public timeline that makes sense – while pursuing a political and diplomatic solution.

“Yet the President has steadfastly refused to engage in the political and diplomatic efforts necessary to bring resolution to the violence in Iraq .

“Both Republicans and Democrats agree that we need a new direction in Iraq .  I will continue to push for that new direction while always putting our troops first.  This resolution is an important first step, but there is much more to be done.

“I stand with resolve in opposing President Bush’s plan for an escalation in Iraq.”

Comments

[Dave Kisor]

I just finished reading "What Was Asked of Us -- An Oral History of the Iraq War by the Soldiers Who Fought It" and a common thread throughout was a need for honesty from the federal government. Some said they knew it was all over oil and others said they could tell there were no WMDs once they got there. Now all they want is honesty. Will that be possible? Alas probably not as our accidental president wants desperately to blame Iran for problems in Iraq, an argument perhaps about as valid as his WMDs in Iraq. Many of those who have returned from Iraq in various states of repair have said we should get out immediately if not sooner. And don't let anybody forget Afghanistan, as they consider themselves the forgotten war. If you could mention something about banning depleted uranium, it would be greatly appreciated. Why should we dispose of our nuclear waste in a more hazardous state in other countries? And the rotors on military helicopters need modified tips to reduce their noise footprint, as they can be heard for miles.

[Eric C. Rader]

We need a new Boland Amendment, one that will pre-empt any possibility of the White House launching an attack against Iran.

[Dianne England]

Good Morning Congressman,

I appreciate your willingness to get up and call for an end to the Iraqi conflict; one we should never have started in the first place. Please add my name to the growing list of people who not only oppose the escalation of this war, but also the ongoing conflict itself. We must extricate ourselves from this mess ASAP!

I know that your time is pulled in many directions, but the ongoing needs of this country cannot be met if we are spending every dollar and then some to fund this war.

Please introduce legislation or help someone else introduce legislation to cut off the funding before we have another Vietnam on our hands. It is starting to look more and more like that conflict of 30 years ago.

Our children should mean more to us then cannon fodder.

Dianne England

[CRAIG CLOSE]

Dear Congressman McNerney:

I missed your speech on the floor of the House on 02-13-07 but I want to congratulate you on being appointed to the Veterans Affairs Committee in the House. We need much more money to hire the staff to take care of our veterans when they go to the VA Health Care System instead of having to wait weeks and months to get to see a doctor in the clinics when needed.
As a totally disabled Vietnam veteran I am appalled at the waiting times needed to see doctors in some of the clinics.

[CYNTHIA LA CROIX]

Dear Jerry,
Not only does Halliburton get no bid contracts with no oversite. Now it seems they will reincorporate in Dubai....all take from the American taxpayers and no fair play. Enough is enough. Contractors must be American corporations for the whole term of their contract when they contract for war. Please lead congress for the AMerican public on a well planned initiative that will protect our tax dollars and create oversite of war profiteers. Thank you for all you do.