From Jerry: "After the Iraq vote: A time for courage, vigilance and action"

This is a time for courage.

This morning, you woke up to the unfortunate news that a "compromise" bill was passed in Congress last night giving President Bush a blank check to continue waging the war in Iraq.

As you may know, this supplemental funding bill did not include:

1. Enforceable benchmarks.

2. A reasonable timetable for withdrawal.

3. Any requirement to initiate a diplomatic strategy to end this conflict (a primary recommendation of the Iraq Study Group).

4. Provisions to ensure that our soldiers are prepared, rested, and ready to wage this war as safely as possible until it is brought to an end.

Without these fundamentally important conditions, I could not vote for this bill. With a heavy heart, I voted "No" because I cannot, in good conscience, grant President Bush another blank check.

Beyond my insistence on the necessity for diplomacy and the proper care and protection for our troops and veterans, I have consistently called for real benchmarks and a reasonable redeployment timetable. This bill provided neither. That's why it was a blank check to the President.

This is a time for vigilance.

While you may be disappointed, as am I, in the failure of this legislation to hold President Bush accountable and move in a new direction in Iraq, I also believe now is the time to recommit ourselves to our community's resolve to end this conflict as soon as possible and as responsibly as possible.

We owe it to the men and women, the sons and daughters, the brothers and sisters, the fathers and mothers who are laying their lives on the line every day, halfway around the world.

Last night, by voting "No" on this historic bill, I exercised the solemn power you helped give me by electing me to Congress. Now, I want to encourage you to exercise your power to make a profound difference yet again.

This is a time for action.

On Memorial Day, I will be emailing you with a very important request -- a request that I know will have a deep impact on the very people who are willing to sacrifice their lives in service to our country.

Please open the email you receive from me on Memorial Day (or when you return from the holiday weekend) and, together, let's do something truly significant to contribute to the healing of our nation.

Thank you, again, for everything you continue to do.

P.S. If you would like to express your opinion on my vote against the Iraq supplemental funding bill, please post a comment on my blog. I really enjoy hearing your feedback, so please consider sharing your thoughts with me and our community by clicking this link. I will be sure to read your comments when I return to our district this weekend. 

Comments

[Jamie Davis]

Please explain to me how the law, HSPD 20, that President Bush signed it on May 9th is a good thing. I would really appreciate you looking into this issue. I think it is a clear abuse of power.

Thanks for voting no and trying to do what is right.

[Rob Klein]

Jerry, we're proud of you. Hope to see the Party leadership following the example you set. You are being the leader, not them!

[Ruth Sherer]

Thank you for your vote against the Iraq bill. I wish I were in your district; I live in San Mateo and supported your fight against Pombo. Carry on the good fight! Ruth

[patrick johnston]

Jerry, your vote on the war funding bill is a courageous decision. I trust your judgment as the Demcratic Congress works to bring the Iraq War to an end. patrick.

[Bruce Joffe]

Thank you for showing the courage to vote to end funding of Bush's disasterous war. I know that you and your fellows support our troups in the most sincere of ways: by calling them back from a dangerous, fool's errand; and by increasing the funding for the health and veterans' benefits to which they are deservedly entitled.

I hope you can prevail on others in your party, as well as some Republicans, to follow your lead.

[Dave Kroske]

Jerry:

Thanks for having the courage that, unfortunately, so many of the Dem. house members did not. Very disappointing that political positioning is more important than speaking (and more importantly VOTING) truth to power.

Cheers to you on your vote not to continue 'the blank check'.

Also, I look forward to meeting you this Saturday at noon at Aldino's Pizza here in Discovery Bay. Thanks for keeping in touch with the voters!

Dave Kroske

[Jane McCoy]

Jerry, it gives me hope that at least some Democrats voted against another blank check. Please continue your great work. I am very concerned about oversight....on the war contractors, our Justice Department corruption, our belligerant attitude towards Iran, and our dependence on foreign oil and the environment. Thank you for standing up for your convictions. Maybe others will be strengthened by your courage.

Jane

[Paul Malikowski]

Good afternoon, Rep. McNerney:

I have been an out-of-state supporter of yours from the beginning. Thank you for validating my trust. Unlike the Nevada congressional delegation which purports to represent me and the majority of my State's citizens, you have voted for America, your district, and for common sense. It is obvious to me that your victory over Mr. Pombo was a result of expressing your thoughts clearly, and acting on your word consistently. Whatever it is you have, would you kindly pour a liberal amount of it in the Democratic watering trough in Washington, DC.

[Caroline Marshall]

Jerry, Thank you for your courageous vote against the Iraq War funding bill. I wish more people in Congress had your backbone.

[art madrid]

Thanks for showing so much courage. Now I know why the voters gave you the right to represent us. You're looking real great. Keep up the good fight.