Congressman Steve Cohen Votes to Redeploy the Troops in Iraq

Congressman Cohen said, “Staying the course in Iraq is no longer a viable option. Whatever your opinion of the war – its origins, the 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 no citizen may ever be able to fully comprehend, and we all owe them an enormous debt of gratitude. Hopefully, the veterans’ benefits package that was passed this 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,” added 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,” explained Congressman Cohen. “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.”

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