Mr. Speaker:

The definition of “immediate termination of United States forces in Iraq” must mean the following as set forth by Representative John Murtha:

“My plan calls:
-To immediately redeploy U.S. troops consistent with the safety of U.S. forces.
-To create a quick reaction force in the region.
-To create over-the-horizon presence of Marines.
-To diplomatically pursue security and stability in Iraq.”

You may call this a position, a program, or an exit strategy but this is the Murtha message which set in motion the current proceedings on the floor of the House of Representatives. This is the declaration heard from Representative Murtha by the American people and around the world. By all standards of decency and by popular decree the Republican leadership is mandated to respect the precedent setting language of this most detailed of all proposals for new and creative action in Iraq.

For this reason I urge all of my colleagues to vote yes on the resolution before us. "That the deployment of United States forces in Iraq be terminated immediately."

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