Statement Of U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin On The Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act For Defense, The Global War On Terror, And Hurricane Recovery, H.R. 4939

From the beginning, the Bush Administration's policy on Iraq has been based on distortions and misjudgments.   Prior to the invasion, I fought to prevent this war.  I parted with most members of Congress and cast a vote against the resolution authorizing the use of military force in Iraq.  The President misled the American people into believing there was a link between Iraq and the terrorist attacks of September 11, and he distorted and misrepresented intelligence data about weapons of mass destruction.

I understand the frustration and heartbreak that have led many Americans to conclude that it is now time for us to remove ourselves from this misguided quagmire and bring our troops home.  That is why I have called on the President to change course.  America simply cannot continue indefinitely to pay the high costs in both lives and dollars to stay on the same failed course in Iraq.

In December 2005, I voted for H.R. 1815, the FY 2006 Defense Authorization bill, which the President signed into law in January 2006.  Section 1227 of that bill, United States Policy on Iraq, states that it is the sense of Congress that “calendar year 2006 should be a period of significant transition to full Iraq sovereignty, with Iraqi security forces taking the lead for the security of a free and sovereign Iraq, thereby creating the conditions for the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq.”  

It is time for the President to implement this policy.  We have no choice but to approve this spending bill.  We cannot put our troops at greater risk.  If the President does not heed the intent of Congress and the American people, Congress should take more direct action to bring our troops home promptly and safely.  We should not have American troops in the middle of a civil war. 

I have repeatedly called for a change in America's policies so that we can bring our troops home as soon as possible.  In December 2004, I visited our troops in Iraq.  I thanked them for their service and listened to their stories.  It was a moving experience for me.  I honor the sacrifices they and their families are making each day.

The men and women of our armed forces are demonstrating tremendous dedication to our nation through their performance in Iraq.  These brave soldiers have put their lives in harm's way for our country, and we are forever grateful for their service.   

This bill also contains crucial provisions, which I support, that would provide nearly $20 billion for Hurricane Katrina relief, including funds for housing, community planning and development, flood control, and small business loans.  In addition, the House should take up HR 4197, a comprehensive Hurricane Katrina recovery bill introduced by the Congressional Black Caucus.    

I am encouraged that the bill provides more than $500 million to address the ongoing genocide in southern Sudan and Darfur.  These funds are critical to meeting the immediate needs of victims of the Darfur crisis, such as shelter, health care, and access to water and sanitation.  Sudanese government-backed Arab militias have slaughtered hundreds of thousands of villagers, and they have burned entire villages.  Up to two million refugees have fled this genocide to neighboring countries, but the small, poorly-equipped, and underfunded African Union (AU) force cannot offer them adequate protection.  This bill provides needed funding to help transition the AU peacekeeping operation to a United Nations mission.  It is also encouraging that last week the House International Relations Committee reported out H.R. 3127, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, which I urge the House to take up without delay.  

Lastly, I strongly support the inclusion of an amendment adopted by the Appropriations Committee to cancel the planned transfer of U.S. ports to Dubai Ports World, which is owned by the United Arab Emirates.  Although the UAE recently agreed to abandon its efforts to take over American ports, this Congress still needs to enact bipartisan legislation that I introduced with Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Clay Shaw, HR 4839, the Secure America’s Port Operations Act, which would prohibit any foreign-government owned operations at U.S. seaports in the future.

Mr. Speaker, this emergency supplemental is a necessary measure that will provide essential support for our troops in their arduous mission in Iraq, vital funding for the global war on terror, and desperately needed assistance for our own Gulf region and the many Americans who have been uprooted by Hurricane Katrina.