9/10/07 - Larson Responds to Petraeus Testimony on Iraq

7/12/07 - Rep. Larson Urges Republican Colleagues to Vote Their Conscience, Stand Up to the President & Support Our Troops 

9/7/02 - More Preparation and Approvals Needed Before Going to War with Iraq  (Journal Inquirer)

9/12/02 - Statement of Congressman Larson in Reaction to President Bush's Speech to the United Nations 

10/9/02 - House Rules Committee to Allow Vote on Larson Alternative Resolution on Iraq 

10/9/02 - Statement of Congressman Larson during House floor debate on H.J. Res. 114  

10/11/02 - Congress Gives Bush War Powers  (Hartford Courant)

Doctrine of Preemption and Unilateralism

I have openly disagreed with the Administration's failed policies of preemption and unilateralism that have placed us in the quagmire we are currently experiencing in Iraq. The Bush Doctrine of preemption and unilateralism is a radical and unacceptable shift in U.S. foreign policy. Read more

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On March 20, Congressman Larson testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on legislation he introduced to reverse the Bush Doctrine of preemption and unilateralism, reestablish diplomacy and refocus our energy and resources on Afghanistan.  You can read a copy of the testimony here and learn more about the bill here .

3/20/07 - Congressman Larson Testifies to Foreign Affairs Committee on Bill to Address Situation in Iraq

3/1/07 - Congressman John B. Larson Introduces Iraq Bill

Iraq Funding

This ill conceived war has cost our nation over $400 billion and has left a footprint on our budget that our children's children will pay for. I strongly believe any further funding for Iraq must require accountability for the Bush Administration and benchmarks for the Iraqis. Separating the war from the warriors, this Congress must maintain our commitment to the men and women serving in Iraq and also clearly demand responsibility from the President and the Iraqis.

Larson Offers Amendments to Iraq Supplemental Appropriations Bill

5/24/07 - CT Delegation Demands Accountability on Iraq 

5/11/07 - No More Blank Checks Mr. President

5/1/07 - Larson Statement on Bush Veto on Iraq Accountability Act 

4/25/07 - Rep. Larson: Bush's Hubris and Arrogance Stand in the Way of Doing the Right Thing 

3/23/07 - Rep. Larson: ‘Today We Voted to End the War' 

3/16/07 - Congressman John B. Larson Statement on the 4th Anniversary of War in Iraq 

Protective Body Armor

In 2003, Penne Palifka of East Hartford shared at a public forum on Iraq that her son serving in Iraq had not been given the most effective body armor that American troops were supposed to have. Worried for her son's safety, she used her own money to buy her son body armor.

Equipment shortages and delays by the Department of Defense jeopardize the safety of the troops. These brave men and women in our military deserve the best, most up-to-date protective gear. In response to parent's and family members like Mrs. Palifka who spent their own money to buy adequate protective body armor for deployed troops, I introduced legislation (H.R. 3615) that would reimburse them. This bill established a program to reimburse members of the Armed Forces for the cost of body armor that they purchased for themselves or was purchased for them on their behalf.

This legislation was included in the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal year 2005 (H.R. 4200).

10/5/05 - Congressman Larson Announces DOD Release of Long-Awaited Reimbursement Policy for Troop Body Armor

8/16/05 - Larson Demands Investigation Into Delays of Body Armor for U.S. Troops 

5/12/04 - Larson Amendment to Reimburse Troops, Families for Body Armor Purchases Passes House Armed Services Committee

11/24/03 - Larson Introduces Legislation to Reimburse Military Families and Troops for Body Armor Purchases 

Amnesty for Iraqi Insurgents

As the Iraqi Government moves forward with their reconciliation plan, it is vital that Congress send a clear and unequivocal message that United States opposes amnesty for those who have killed Americans. Read more

7/26/06 - Larson: Iraqi Prime Minister Failed to Address America's Concerns 

7/21/06 - Larson: U.S. Must Stand with Iraqi Prime Minister's Opposition to Insurgent Amnesty

6/26/06 - Larson Urges President to Oppose Amnesty for Iraqi Insurgents

6/26/06 - Larson Demands Vote on Iraq Amnesty Bill 

6/21/06 - Larson Opposes Amnesty for Iraqi Insurgents