McNerney: Forging a New Direction in Iraq

Congressman Jerry McNerney released the following statement after voting for the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, which passed the House by a vote of 218-212:

“The Iraq war has now carried on for more than four years.  While there have been moments of hope in Iraq , they have been overshadowed by a deteriorating situation and an increase in violence and chaos.

“Our troops have performed admirably. But now, our men and women in uniform find themselves amidst a religious civil war.  If they stay, they will continue to oversee the killing.  Many American troops will be wounded or killed in the process.  However, if our troops pull out too quickly, chaos and violence will surely follow, perhaps engulfing neighboring states.

“There is no question that this is a difficult situation with no clear options. But I believe our plan is the most responsible course we can take.  It moves our efforts in a new direction that protects our troops and honors our veterans.  It uses the leverage we have available to make Iraqis responsible for Iraq , and it refocuses efforts on Afghanistan and the war on the terror.

“Our plan was developed only after discussions with military and foreign policy experts, and considering the Iraq Study Group Report’s recommendations, the Pentagon’s standards on combat readiness, and the growing needs of returning veterans and their families.

“Our plan establishes responsible benchmarks and a reasonable redeployment timeline over 12 to 18 months – which I have consistently called for.

“The plan ensures that our veterans and their families are treated with the respect they’ve earned when they return home, by increasing funding for veterans’ health care – including specifically addressing post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries, the hallmark injuries of this conflict.

“It is time for a new direction in Iraq .  This reasoned plan accomplishes just that.”

Today, Senate Democrats rejected an attempt by Republicans to strip the Senate spending bill of a withdrawal date. The vote was razor-thin:

The Senate defeated an attempt to erase an American troop withdrawal date from an Iraq spending bill this afternoon after an emotional debate about the powers of the presidency and Congress and the well-being of front-line soldiers.

By a vote of 50 to 48, the Senate allowed a withdrawal date of March 31, 2008, to remain in the $122 billion bill, which has yet to be acted upon. The majority defeated an amendment offered by Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi, the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee, that would have removed the date.

The March 31, 2008, date is nonbinding, so the spending bill emerging from the Senate differs markedly from the version narrowly passed by the House last week that demanded a withdrawal by Sept. 1, 2008. Moreover, the margins in both chambers were far too narrow to override a veto promised by President Bush.

But this afternoon’s vote, like the one last week in the House, reflect the power of the new Democratic majority in Congress, and the Democrats’ determination to press their case against Mr. Bush’s conduct of the Iraq war.

To read the rest of this New York Times article, click here.

Comments

[Richard Linville]

The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act has nothing to do with supporting the "troops". They have preformed as expected and deserve our pity and care for the cruelty that they have been subjected to for no just or honorable reason. The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act is another $100 billion for the war industry; Halliburton, Blackwater, and similar vermin. It’s another $100 billion to kill more innocent human beings for money, power, and to plunder their resources.

There have been no “moments of hope” only moments of carnage and despair. Their civil war, like our own, will continue until enough blood has been spilled that the people of Iraq are exhausted. Only then might a political solution emerge with the help of people of goodwill from the international community.

Your plan is anything but responsible. Ask any military expert. There is no military solution. Like Vietnam the slaughter will continue while US combat forces remain “in country”. After the US withdraws, tribal separation will continue and a struggle for control will escalate until a likely radical (anti-western) faction emerges.

We have no "leverage" and phrases like "make Iraqis responsible for Iraq" are pure newspeak of the most fantastic kind. The "credibility gap" is alive and well in Washington DC.

At least you included a date to stop the wholly unjustified brutality and murder being committed by the United States of America, again, on another third world country.

[Eric Rader]

What is the definition of VICTORY by the Bush Administration?

Support our troops by funding their withdrawal from the OCCUPATION of IRAQ.