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Iraq

The Challenge

On June 28, 2004 the
Senator Murray Questions Defense Secretary Rumsfeld about $87 Billion Supplemental Request.
Senator Murray Questions Defense Secretary Rumsfeld about $87 Billion Supplemental Request.

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United States officially transferred power to the Iraqi people, but over 138,000 U.S. troops will continue their tours of duty in Iraq, including more than 22,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and women from Washington state.

More than 40% of these troops are from National Guard and Reserve units – 5,400 from Washington state alone – and according to the Pentagon, our military troop strength will remain at that level at-least through the end of 2005.

These brave men and women, along with those U.S. troops who have completed their lengthy tours of duty have achieved a great deal in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, there are serious challenges that remain.

  • I continue to be concerned with the welfare of the brave young men and women who are serving in harms way, and those who return home, forever scarred by this war.

  • I am concerned that our military families, especially our National Guard and Reserve families, are not receiving the support they need and deserve.

  • I am concerned that the war in Iraq continues to cost American taxpayers an average of $4 billion every month.

Since our troops were sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have done everything possible to provide them with the resources needed for any mission, including voting for three wartime spending packages totaling nearly $175 billion.

While I will continue to place a premium on supporting our troops, I am increasingly frustrated with the Administration’s unwillingness to meaningfully involve the international community in Iraq’s reconstruction.

I believe the United States must remain in Iraq until the job is finished, however we must relieve some of the burden on our brave men and women by continuing to increase the support and involvement of the international community.

I am pleased that Saddam Hussein has been captured and that he is not longer in power, and I am so proud of our troops who are still bravely fighting to win the peace. We are all watching the installation of a new Iraqi government and are hopeful that it will reduce the daily attacks on our troops and hasten their return home.

The transfer of sovereignty is an important first step, but we must work to prepare for the transferring of responsibility for running the country. Although the transfer of power marks an important step, it has not eliminated the daunting challenges for our men and women serving on the ground.

It is important that we provide our troops with the necessary equipment and tools they need to help train Iraqi security forces. The security of Iraq remains one of the cornerstones of progress in all other areas. The reconstruction effort, economic development, free elections, and the quality of life for the Iraqi people are dependent on the security of Iraq.

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