Susan meets with our troops in Iraq in 2003.
Susan speaks to the media about the need for a Department
of Peace because she believes diplomatic efforts done well
can prevent armed conflict and save lives.
On the House Armed Services Committee, Susan asks tough questions of defense experts and Administration officials.
On the Issues
Iraq
Susan voted against H. J. Res. 114, the original authorization for President Bush to use military force in Iraq . She felt a unilateral use of force would isolate America from our allies and reinforce the cause of our enemies. Also, she believed all non-military options had not been exhausted and that there had not been enough planning for the occupation.
Susan’s opposition to the war is clear by her votes in favor of timelines and opposition to the President’s “surge” of 21,500 additional troops into Iraq . Instead, she advocates for an increased level of diplomatic engagement that will create a regional dialogue about Iraq and force countries in the region to take more responsibility in suppressing the violence. The United States must also look at the broader struggle in the region and ensure that our efforts in the Middle East use all of the resources of the federal government, not just the military.
As chairwoman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, Susan will continue to do all she can to get us out of Iraq soon, but does not believe attempts to cut of funds will work or is good policy. Simply put, she draws the line at taking away the paychecks and equipment for our men and women in uniform and benefits for their families. As a strong opponent of the war, voting for funding is not an easy vote. However, the responsible course is to realize that the President can, as he has in the past, fund his war using money from other accounts, with the effect of starving parts of the personnel budget. Cutting off funds will not end this war, but it will hurt military families.
More than 4,000 American service members have died and more than 30,000 have been injured as a result of President Bush’s decision to go to war. We owe it to the families of our fallen service members and all the men and women serving in our military to immediately change our policy in Iraq . To get out right, we need a responsible policy change that includes a greater emphasis on diplomacy in the region, political reconciliation between Iraqis, and putting more of the burden of stabilization and reconstruction on the Iraqi government.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES:
5/15/2008: Susan votes for removing U.S. forces from Iraq within 18 months. Click here to read her statement.
11/14/2007: Susan again voted for a timeline to bring our troops home from Iraq . H.R. 4156, the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Act, requires President Bush to begin the redeployment of U.S. troops within six months of enactment, with a target completion of December 15, 2008. It also shifts the mission in Iraq from one of combat to a counterterrorism, diplomatic and political mission. Click here for her statement on H.R. 4156.
7/12/2007: Susan votes in favor of H.R. 2956, the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act, to require President Bush to change the mission in Iraq . Click here for her floor statement.
05/24/2007: Statement on FY 2007 Emergency Supplemental Vote
Congress has been working hard to end the war in Iraq , but has faced consistent opposition from the Bush Administration. After the President vetoed a bill with timelines and benchmarks to bring our troops home, Congress approved funding to support our troops currently in harm’s way. While I voted against authorizing the war and have consistently voted for timelines, I voted to approve funding because I strongly believe we must support our service members currently deployed in Iraq .
If Congress cuts off funding for the war, the administration can still fund it by taking money from other defense accounts. However, dipping into other funds could harm the men and women serving at home and in the war as well. But there is no doubt in my mind that we must end this war. I remain committed to finding a way to bring our troops home as soon as possible.
3/23/07: Susan votes in favor of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act, to provide needed funding to the troops on the ground and set in place firm benchmarks for progress in Iraq . Click here to read her floor speech on the legislation (H.R. 1591).
2/16/07: Susan joins bipartisan majority voting to oppose troop escalation in Iraq . Click here
to read her floor speech on the resolution and here to read more about the vote on H. Con. Res. 63.