FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 07, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/ Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: 'More of the Same in Iraq is not Making Us Safer Here at Home'

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined other Democratic leaders at a press stakeout this morning after the Democratic Caucus meeting to discuss the Bush Administration's mishandling of the war in Iraq.  Below are Pelosi’s remarks:

“Here we are on December 7th, a day as President Roosevelt said will live in infamy, and indeed it has.  But it is a day that is also a constant reminder to us that our first responsibility as elected officials is the protection of the American people.  So when we talk about our homeland security and we hear the report that was put forth by the 9/11 Commission, it gives us reason to speak out in a positive way about what we have to do to make Americans safer at home. 

“We have known since 9/11, and the Commission has recommended, that we need real time communication among our first responders; that we need to buy up the fissile material in the world, to take it off the market, the nuclear material that is such a threat to our security; that the protection of our nuclear, biological, and chemical plants must be vastly improved to protect the American people; screening of cargo going onto planes and cargo coming into our ports is essential to the protection of the American people; and having enough cops on the beat to keep our neighborhoods safe, has an immediate impact on the safety of the American people. 

“Our discussion about how we best protect the American people was about homeland security, and how more of the same in Iraq is not making us safer here at home.  More of the same in Iraq is not strengthening our military to protect us at home or anywhere in the world where our interests are threatened, and more of the same in Iraq is not bringing stability to that region. 

“I am proud of our House Democratic Caucus.  Our Members are very thoughtful and knowledgeable on this subject.  In addition to Mr. Murtha’s important resolution, we heard from Mr. Ike Skelton, Mr. Neil Abercrombie, Mr. David Price, Ms. Ellen Tauscher, and many other Members.  And what we heard was a respect for our differing views on the subject – the timing of when we leave Iraq, because the Administration is also talking about reducing our troop strength there.  As the generals said in open testimony, a large US force in Iraq encourages the insurgents.  We are targets there.  Our troops are dying.   In the last three months, 226 American soldiers were killed there.

“The President says that the security situation on the ground is better.   It is not.  Just because the President says it doesn’t make it so. 

“We had a great discussion here.  Again, I want to say how proud I am of the respect that we have of our different opinions in the Caucus. 

“Senator Taft, who would become a Republican leader in the United States said during World War II, following Pearl Harbor said, ‘Criticism in a time of war is essential to the maintenance of any kind of democratic government.’  That disagreement may be within our party, it may be within this Congress, it may be within this country, but it’s healthy, and in a democracy we all have a responsibility to speak out.  Thank you.”

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi