Congressman Rothman believes it is long past time for the U.S. to redeploy all servicemen and women out of Iraq. A vocal member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Steve has pledged to oppose further funding for the war in Iraq that is not linked to the safe redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq. After voting against the latest Iraq War funding bill on June 19, Steve said: "At a time when
Americans are facing rising food costs, higher prices at the pump, home foreclosures,
and failing roads, sewers and bridges, it is irresponsible to continue to misuse
our military forces, and misspend our finite U.S. tax dollars to continue to police
the Iraq civil war."
Congressman Rothman discusses Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) with a military expert during a fact-finding mission to Iraq and Afghanistan in March 2007. IEDs are widely considered teh signature weapon of the Iraq War, causing more than 70% of U.S. casualties.
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Congressman Rothman Votes Against Iraq War Funding, Will Only Support Funds with Redeployment
Provision
On June 19, 2008, Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a vocal Member of the Out of Iraq Caucus,
opposed further funding for the war in Iraq if it is not linked to the safe redeployment
of U.S. troops out of Iraq. The Congressman issued the following statement about
his vote:
"Tonight,
I voted against a $165.4 billion funding bill for the war in Iraq. At a time when
Americans are facing rising food costs, higher prices at the pump, home foreclosures,
and failing roads, sewers and bridges, it is irresponsible to continue to misuse
our military forces, and misspend our finite U.S. tax dollars to continue to police
the Iraq civil war. With no clear end in sight, estimates show that the war in
Iraq could ultimately cost the United States up to $3 trillion. The Department
of Defense is spending an estimated $10.3 billion a month on operating costs in
Iraq - while here at home our economic resources are exhausted.
"I
will only support funding for the Iraq war if it is linked to beginning the immediate
redeployment of U.S. troop from there. Our failed Iraq policy has resulted in
the deaths of over 4,000 American troops and left nearly 30,000 of our soldiers
wounded. It has stretched our military to the breaking point and strained military
families with repeated and lengthy deployments.
"I
have and will continue to fight efforts to provide federal funds for the war in
Iraq unless that money is used to bring our brave young men and women home. It
is long past time for the U.S. to redeploy all servicemen and women out of Iraq,
maintaining a rapid action force in neighboring countries, just over the Iraqi
horizon. Democrats and Republicans alike must work together to develop a foreign
policy strategy that focuses on real threats to America's security, not on policing
civil wars half a world away."
Read
more about Congressman Rothman's views on the Iraq War here.
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