Iraq
 

I am proud to serve on the Armed Services Committee. I stand squarely behind our troops that serve our country with immeasurable courage and commitment, but urge that the groundwork be laid for them to come home.

I was pleased to join my colleagues in passing H.R. 3159, the Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predictability Deployment Act. The legislation requires that active duty forces be guaranteed that their time at home matches the length of their deployment. I will continue to fight to bring our troops home. Until then my commitment is to ensuring that our brave men and women are prepared, equipped, and properly rested.

The war in Iraq has cost us more than 3,750 lives and 450 billion taxpayer dollars. In the face of these great sacrifices, the (GAO) United States Government Accountability Office’s reported that the Iraqi government has met only 3 of the 18 benchmarks. In addition, the report states that overall violence in Iraq has increased since the surge. The purpose of the troop surge was to clear the way for political reconciliation in Iraq. This clearly has not been the case. General Petraeus` report mentioned a troop draw down, but offered no guarantees on a specific timetable. I believe we have dealt with moving target deadlines for the draw down of troops far too long.

It is time for a new strategy in Iraq. Our focus should be applied to a responsible redeployment of American troops and diplomacy that brings about political reconciliation as a foundation for military security.