Thompson Stands Up Against Iraq War Escalation
February 14, 2009
"We need to focus on getting our troops out of Iraq as safely and quickly as possibleâ€
Today, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) publicly called for an end to the president's dangerous escalation of the Iraq War and a firm timetable for a phased redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq. During a speech on the House floor, Thompson urged his colleagues to support H Con Res 63. This bill expresses Congress' states of the president's decision to send more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops into Iraq and Congress' continued support for the men and women serving in Iraq. Thompson also spoke in support of a bill he recently introduced (HR 787), which calls for redeployment to begin on May 1st, with all combat brigades out of Iraq by March 31, 2008. Leaders of the House provided each Representative the opportunity to voice their opinion on the Iraq War this week. Thompson was one of 11 veterans who spoke against the president's escalation. Debate of H Con Res 63 will continue throughout the week, resulting in a vote on Friday.
Below please find a transcript of Mr. Thompson's remarks.
“Mr. Speaker. As a combat veteran, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you to the brave men and women who have served in Iraq, each with great distinction. Our troops have done an outstanding job. They have done all that we asked of them and more. They have performed with the utmost professionalism, making us all very proud.”
“I believe it is past time that we start bringing these brave men and women home. They should be home with their families, not in the middle of Iraq's civil war. Moreover, we shouldn't be sending more of our troops into Iraq's civil war. Some of our service members have been on two, three and even four tours of duty in Iraq.”
“This escalation would put too much of a strain on our military, and not just our troops. Much of our military's equipment is damaged, and it will take years and billions of dollars to repair and replace it. Nearly every Reserve and National Guard member has been mobilized. This escalation is in no one's best interest.”
“Two weeks ago, I joined with my colleague Patrick Murphy from Pennsylvania - a decorated Army Captain who served in Iraq - to introduce binding legislation to begin a phased redeployment of our troops out of Iraq.”
“Our bill, which has already attracted 20 co-authors from both sides of the aisle and has a companion bill in the Senate, provides a practical and comprehensive strategy for ending our military involvement in Iraq. It sets a firm deadline for phased redeployment of our troops beginning May 1, with all combat brigades out by March 31, 2008. It provides a concrete plan for shifting security responsibilities to where they belong - with the Iraqis.”
“I've visited with our troops in Iraq and talked to the men and women who have been training the Iraqi security forces. They've told me that the U.S. troops have finished their job. The Iraqis need to step up and start securing their country. Americans cannot continue to do it for them.”
“Our bill recognizes that the president's escalation plan is a continuation of his failed ‘stay the course' slogan and it would not allow the increase troops levels without congressional approval.”
“Mr. Speaker, the United States cannot win the peace in Iraq. The Iraqis must be the ones to do that. Our bill recognizes this reality and creates a surge in diplomacy, not troops, by creating a special U.S. envoy that will help build relationships between Iraq and their neighbors.”
“This bill is a strategy for success in Iraq and is the best way to bring our brave men and women home as quickly and safely as possible.”
“While I strongly believe we should be debating and passing our binding solution, HR 787, I know that this week's debate is the first real debate we've had on Iraq in more than four years. In this week alone, we will more than quadruple the amount of time given to debate of this war since it began. Thank you, Speaker Pelosi, for bringing this important matter to the floor. This resolution is a critical step in getting our men and women out of this ugly mess - a full-blown civil war - in Iraq.”
“I support today's resolution, which joins with the American people in sending the president a loud and clear message that escalation is not the answer. We need to focus on getting our troops out of Iraq as safely and quickly as possible and make sure that the Iraqis step up and assume the security responsibilities for their country.”
“I also rise to tell those who have served, those who are serving in Iraq today and their proud families, thank you. Your nation thanks you for your great service to our country.”
Below please find a transcript of Mr. Thompson's remarks.
“Mr. Speaker. As a combat veteran, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you to the brave men and women who have served in Iraq, each with great distinction. Our troops have done an outstanding job. They have done all that we asked of them and more. They have performed with the utmost professionalism, making us all very proud.”
“I believe it is past time that we start bringing these brave men and women home. They should be home with their families, not in the middle of Iraq's civil war. Moreover, we shouldn't be sending more of our troops into Iraq's civil war. Some of our service members have been on two, three and even four tours of duty in Iraq.”
“This escalation would put too much of a strain on our military, and not just our troops. Much of our military's equipment is damaged, and it will take years and billions of dollars to repair and replace it. Nearly every Reserve and National Guard member has been mobilized. This escalation is in no one's best interest.”
“Two weeks ago, I joined with my colleague Patrick Murphy from Pennsylvania - a decorated Army Captain who served in Iraq - to introduce binding legislation to begin a phased redeployment of our troops out of Iraq.”
“Our bill, which has already attracted 20 co-authors from both sides of the aisle and has a companion bill in the Senate, provides a practical and comprehensive strategy for ending our military involvement in Iraq. It sets a firm deadline for phased redeployment of our troops beginning May 1, with all combat brigades out by March 31, 2008. It provides a concrete plan for shifting security responsibilities to where they belong - with the Iraqis.”
“I've visited with our troops in Iraq and talked to the men and women who have been training the Iraqi security forces. They've told me that the U.S. troops have finished their job. The Iraqis need to step up and start securing their country. Americans cannot continue to do it for them.”
“Our bill recognizes that the president's escalation plan is a continuation of his failed ‘stay the course' slogan and it would not allow the increase troops levels without congressional approval.”
“Mr. Speaker, the United States cannot win the peace in Iraq. The Iraqis must be the ones to do that. Our bill recognizes this reality and creates a surge in diplomacy, not troops, by creating a special U.S. envoy that will help build relationships between Iraq and their neighbors.”
“This bill is a strategy for success in Iraq and is the best way to bring our brave men and women home as quickly and safely as possible.”
“While I strongly believe we should be debating and passing our binding solution, HR 787, I know that this week's debate is the first real debate we've had on Iraq in more than four years. In this week alone, we will more than quadruple the amount of time given to debate of this war since it began. Thank you, Speaker Pelosi, for bringing this important matter to the floor. This resolution is a critical step in getting our men and women out of this ugly mess - a full-blown civil war - in Iraq.”
“I support today's resolution, which joins with the American people in sending the president a loud and clear message that escalation is not the answer. We need to focus on getting our troops out of Iraq as safely and quickly as possible and make sure that the Iraqis step up and assume the security responsibilities for their country.”
“I also rise to tell those who have served, those who are serving in Iraq today and their proud families, thank you. Your nation thanks you for your great service to our country.”
Issues:Defense