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Idaho Republicans Still Won't Hold Bush Accountable

Contact:  Chuck Oxley   (208) 871-4976 (office)  

BOISE, Idaho – As the war in Iraq enters its fifth year, Idaho’s Republicans in Congress continues to ignore the American people and refuse to hold President Bush accountable for his permanent commitment to a failed strategy.

The American people went to the polls last November and demanded a new direction in Iraq. Yet Republicans -- like Larry Craig, Mike Crapo, Bill Sali and Mike Simpson -- have consistently ignored the will of the people, the advice of our military commanders, and the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group by rubberstamping the President's plan to escalate the war.

The unwillingness of Idaho’s all-Republican congressional delegation to join Democrats in fighting for a new direction in Iraq comes despite the tremendous toll this war has had on our brave men and women in uniform and on our emergency preparedness here at home.

During the past four years, 21 soldiers from Idaho have died in Iraq while many more have been wounded, the latest being 29-year-old Sgt. Emerson Brand of Rigby. Our troops have been sent into battle with out a plan for victory, without the resources and equipment they need to get the job done, and without a plan to care for our wounded soldiers when they come home. Our Idaho National Guard units have been stretched dangerously thin.

"Today marks yet another sad milestone in the Iraq War," said Idaho Democratic Chairman Richard Stallings. "Our brave men and women in uniform have now been in Iraq for four years, longer than our nation's participation in World War II, World War I, the Korean War, or the Civil War. Every day, they put their lives on the line, serving admirably and courageously in defense of our freedoms.  

"As we mark this milestone, Larry Craig, Mike Crapo, Bill Sali and Mike Simpson have a critical choice to make. They can continue to rubberstamp President Bush's open-ended commitment to a failed strategy; or they can finally join Democrats in holding the Bush Administration and the Iraqi Government accountable by setting a specific plan for the phased redeployment of U.S. troops.

“The time has come for Republicans to honor the service and sacrifice of our soldiers by joining Democrats in fighting for a new direction in Iraq and fighting to provide the troops the resources they need on the battlefield and the care they deserve when they return home. The people have spoken; its time for Idaho Republican leaders to listen."