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Democrats push for course correction in Iraq

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

BOISE, Idaho -- Democrats in Congress have reaffirmed their support for a new direction in Iraq by voting to pass the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act (HR 2956).  The bill, which would begin to responsibly redeploy our troops in Iraq and refocus our efforts on protecting Americans from terrorism, is the latest attempt by Democrats to transition the mission in Iraq and lead where Republicans have failed. 

While Republicans like Bill Sali, Mike Simpson, Larry Craig and Mike Crapo still support President Bush’s failed strategy, Democrats are keeping their promise to change course in Iraq.  This bill requires a responsible redeployment of U.S. troops beginning within 120 days of enactment and requires the President to publicly justify the post-redeployment missions for the US military in Iraq as well as the minimum number of troops necessary to carry out those missions.  It is consistent with the advice of military and foreign policy experts, reflects the will of the American people, would ensure the safety of our men and women in uniform, and would enable a transition to an effective offensive strategy for winning the real war on terrorism. 

Just this week, a USA Today/Gallup Poll showed that more than 70% of Americans favor removal of almost all U.S. troops from Iraq by April 2008.  Meanwhile, a new Congressional Research Service report finds that the increase in troop levels in Iraq has increased the cost of the war there from $8 billion a month to $10 billion a month, higher than the Pentagon’s estimates. To date, 27 Idahoans have lost their lives serving our country in Iraq. [www.icasualties.org]

“The American people have clearly demanded a new direction in Iraq, but Idaho’s all-Republican delegation insists on standing in the way and rubberstamping a failed Republican stay the course strategy that has given Al Qaeda time to reorganize and rebuild,” said Idaho Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings.

“By standing shoulder to shoulder with President Bush, Sali, Simpson, Craig and Crapo have shown that they lack the backbone to stand up to the President.  Their weakness in the face of President Bush’s insistence on bullying his way through this stands in stark contrast with the strong leadership from Democrats from our neighboring Western states who are keeping their promise to force the President to responsibly redeploy our forces from Iraq.”