Mr. Speaker, on May 1, 2003, under a banner displaying the words, ``Mission Accomplished,'' President George W. Bush stated, ``Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.''

In the summer of 2005, Vice President Cheney told Americans that the so-called insurgents of Iraq were in their last throes.

Fast forward to the morning papers this week. The Washington Post, and I quote, ``Situation Called Dire in West Iraq; Anbar is Lost Politically, Marine Analyst Says.''

The San Francisco Chronicle, quote, ``Police Discover 65 Bodies Across Iraq.''

The New York Times, ``New Wave of Violence Flares Across Baghdad.''

The BBC, ``Iran Offers Iraq Full Support.''

On top of that, according to the Department of Defense, in September so far 23 of America's brave servicemembers died in this seemingly endless occupation. Throughout this occupation there have been 2,900 coalition deaths. Almost 2,700 of those are Americans. An average of 100 Iraqi civilians are dying each day.

Mr. Speaker, it is time for a reality check. The so-called insurgents are not in their last throes. The mission is not accomplished, far from it.

This administration, the President, the Vice President, Secretary Rumsfeld, and Secretary Rice, won't admit they have made a mistake. Instead of planning for withdrawal, which is supported, by the way, by the American people and the Iraqi public as well, this administration is wearing blinders and pressing on. They even have the very nerve to question the patriotism of anyone who dares to take off the rose-colored glasses and speak the truth about the occupation of Iraq.

What kind of America is that? Americans are asking, they are asking, are we safer than we were 5 years ago? They know the answer; the answer is no. They question why the President didn't dedicate serious efforts to the capture of Osama bin Laden. And they know when they ask, is he working on that, the answer is no. And they also ask whether the President has dedicated serious efforts to being a partner for peace in the Middle East, and the results that they see prove that the answer is no. Instead, private citizens are being wiretapped, torture runs rampant, and the administration plays politics with the tragic events of September 11.

Is this the kind of America we want to pass on to our children? Is this the kind of America that will win us friends on the world stage? The answer, of course, is no. It is time for a reality check. It is time to support an alternative to these misguided policies.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to seriously consider whether our current policy is going in the right direction, because Congress has the power to change it. Congress has the power to make the much-needed changes. And one important change for Congress to make would be to resume our constitutional role and revoke the President's Iraq war powers. We could also insist on a plan, and we must insist on a plan, to bring our troops home. And it is time to give Iraq back to the Iraqi people. But, most of all, it is time to tell the President, no more.

I urge my colleagues, stand up for our troops. Cosponsor my bill, H.R. 5875, the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act, because, Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. It is time to bring our troops home.