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Wyden introduces resolution
opposing President’s stated intention
of keeping troops in Iraq until at least 2009
Legislation is another step in the Senator’s
long-term opposition to the Iraq war
June
19, 2006
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator
Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today introduced a resolution to express the
sense of the Senate that “the President’s March 21,
2006 stated intention that ‘future Presidents’ will
determine whether there are American troops in Iraq undermines
the preparedness of the United States military to respond to other
crises and should not be supported.” In March 2006, President
Bush gave a press conference and discussed Iraq. The following
exchange took place between a reporter and the President:
Question: “Will there come a day -- and I'm not asking you
when, not asking for a timetable -- will there come a day when
there will be no more American forces in Iraq?”
Answer: “That, of course, is an objective, and that will
be decided by future Presidents and future governments of Iraq.”
Wyden’s resolution is being offered as a stand-alone piece
of legislation as Congress is debating the ongoing war in Iraq.
“To restore the preparedness of the American military to
respond to significant security threats, and to assist the Iraqi
people in assuming responsibility for their country's future,
I oppose the President's plan to keep American troops in Iraq
until 2009,” said Wyden. “If President Bush intends
to keep troops in Iraq until after the next President comes into
office, Congress should vote on that proposition.”
In April, Wyden co-sponsored legislation that would express the
sense of Congress that the United States should not establish
permanent military bases in Iraq or exercise control over the
natural resources of Iraq.
Also that month, Wyden went to the Senate floor to call for a
Congressional vote on the President’s plan and budget for
American’s continued involvement in Iraq. Wyden, a member
of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, cited the need
for Congress to have a role as a “co-equal branch of government”
in the handling of Iraq. (see Wyden’s full statement at:
http://wyden.senate.gov/media/2006/04072006_Iraq_vote.html)
Wyden was one of only 23 U.S. Senators to vote against going to
war with Iraq.
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