War in Iraq: 2006
The United States recently marked the third year of its military presence in Iraq. On Thursday, March 16, 2006, the House of Representatives approved a $75 billion supplemental spending bill, most of it for Iraq. The request will bring total U.S. spending in Iraq to approximately $250 billion.
To date, over 2,300 U.S. servicemen and women have lost their lives in Iraq, and 17,000 Americans are casualties of war. Estimates put the number of Iraqi dead at 30,000. We are witnessing rising levels of sectarian violence within Iraq and right next door a resurgent Iran, which is threatening to renounce outright its commitments to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Ironically, the greatest winner in Iraq has been Iran. Because Iraq is an albatross around our neck, we’re having trouble stopping Iran’s nuclear program, which is a larger threat to the United States than Iraq ever was.
The United States is losing its credibility around the world in large part due to its continued military presence in Iraq. Our nation had been viewed by the rest of the world as a beacon of fairness and truth. Now a large part of the world no longer sees the United States as the shining city on the hill, as the standard bearer of decency, truth, and fairness. Sadly, our nation has squandered its upper hand in the world of ideas, which is really what the struggle against extremism and terrorism is all about.
What must we do? I believe we must disengage militarily from Iraq and re-engage diplomatically. We must get out of the business of nation-building and get back into the business of rebuilding alliances with our friends and international institutions. Congress must also begin to fill its constitutional duty by conducting meaningful and effective oversight of the administration’s policies in Iraq. The House leadership, to date, has short-circuited the congressional review process and denied the American people the opportunity for open and informed dialog. Finally, we need to reassure the people in Iraq that we are not planning to occupy their country on a permanent basis. We need to say clearly: no permanent bases in Iraq.
Previous Statements on Iraq
- November 18, 2005: Congresswoman Watson Responds to Republican Bill on Iraq Withdrawal
- November 17, 2005: Watson Statement on Congressman Murtha’s Opposition to U.S. Troops in Iraq
- March 16, 2005: Iraq: $200 Billion Dollars Later
- September 23, 2004: Congresswoman Watson Reacts to Prime Minister Allawi's Statement Before Joint Session of Congress
- May 6, 2004: Representative Watson Calls on Rumsfeld & Wolfowitz to Step Down
- March 21, 2003: Rep. Watson Supports Our Troops, Opposes Republicans Playing Politics With War
- March 20, 2003: Congresswoman Watson Reacts to U.S. Attack on Iraq
- March 18, 2003: Congresswoman Diane E. Watson Responds to President's Address on Iraq
- March 1, 2003: War in Iraq: March 2003
- February 6, 2003: Watson Statement on Secretary Powell's Speech at the United Nations
- January 29, 2003: Rep. Watson Responds to Bush State of the Union Address
- October 9, 2002: Congresswoman Diane E. Watson Opposes Congressional Resolution Authorizing Military Force in Iraq
- September 26, 2002: Rep. Watson Warns Congress About President's Use of Force Resolution Against Iraq