Congressman Steve Cohen Stands with Murtha, Obey to Insist on Troop Redeployment

“Congressmen Murtha and Obey stated that the Senate’s refusal to pass a war funding bill with withdrawal language would not compel them to consider legislation that would fund the war without restrictions,” explained Congressman Cohen. “Today, I join with my colleagues to say to the President: ‘Enough is enough.’”

On Wednesday, November 14, Congressman Cohen joined with a majority in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 4156, the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act. The legislation passed by a vote of 218 to 203, and it provides funding for the troops on the ground while requiring the President to redeploy US forces.

The following day, Republicans effectively killed the measure in the Senate through parliamentary maneuvering, but now Congressman Cohen and top House Democratic appropriators are taking a stand against the White House and Republicans’ insistence on “staying the course.”

“Americans have clearly articulated their desire to end this war, and we plan to enact the will of the people by funding our troops and giving them the tools they need to get out of Iraq,” continued Congressman Cohen. “My friend, [House Armed Services Committee Chairman] Ike Skelton (D-MO) recently stated that our troops have never been stretched so thin. President Bush has created a situation where our troops no longer have the ability to respond to global threats, and he has made this country less secure.”

Congressman Cohen added, “Staying the course in Iraq is no longer a viable option. Whatever your opinion of the war – its origins, its mismanagement, the performance of the Iraqi government – one thing is clear: we can not afford to sustain the deployment in Iraq.

“Our troops have served this nation with the heroism, patriotism, courage and resolve that most citizens may never be able to fully comprehend, and we all owe them an enormous debt of gratitude. Hopefully, the veterans’ benefits package that was passed last week, the largest in the history of the Veterans Administration, lets them know that we have their interests at heart; but most importantly, we need to show them our support by bringing them home to their families and out of harm’s way.”

Recent evidence has clearly shown that the Iraqi government has failed to take responsibility for political reconciliation, the essential ingredient for prolonged peace and prosperity in the country. “If the Iraqi government is unable or unwilling to step up and work for progress, then our fine men and women in the military shouldn’t be expected to risk life and limb on their behalf,” stated Congressman Cohen.

The Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act ties $50 billion in funding for the troops to a strategy for redeployment with a schedule.

“The President has had every opportunity and all the resources he has asked for to complete this mission,” Congressman Cohen explained. “The American people voted last year for a change in direction in Iraq, and the administration’s response has been to increase troop levels to the highest levels since the Vietnam War. This bill delivers on that promise that the new majority made to the American people last November to change course in Iraq.

“We have already lost nearly 4,000 lives and hundreds of billions of dollars in Iraq. The time is now for a new direction, for the sake of our brave servicemen and women and for our great nation.”

- 30 -

Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, (202) 225-3265/ (202) 368-9275 (mobile)
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 / (202) 320-2817 (mobile)