March 17, 2004

     I supported the resolution to authorize this war, and I continue to support our troops. But I cannot remain silent in my concerns about the safety of our troops and the haphazard way this Administration has proceeded in Iraq. We have no end-game in sight, our exit strategy is murky and our efforts to help this fledgling democracy seem to be going nowhere.

 

     When this war began last year, it became clear that our troops did not have the life-saving body armor and vehicle armor they needed.  Even with passage of the Iraq supplemental last November, there are still too many soldiers at risk.

 

     And as we hear increasing reports of street fire, mines and ambushes aimed at our troops, it is unconscionable that they continue to lack the protective gear they need to fight safely. 

 

     On the evening news, Houston’s CBS affiliate KHOU reported there are still a number of humvees in Iraq without bulletproof armor.  In fact, there are humvees on the streets of Houston that have better safety features than the ones being used by our troops.

 

     These vehicles were intended to transport soldiers and defend them in a war zone.  The last thing we should hear is soldiers’ complaints that their family sedans are safer than the military’s soft-sided humvees.

 

     A year ago, we started a war to remove an evil man from power. But in doing so, the lives of our troops were unnecessarily jeopardized by sending them in harm’s way without proper armor and in under-equipped vehicles. Our troops are doing tough and dangerous jobs, but they need answers from top administration officials as to why they do not have protective equipment to do the job.

 

     This Congress needs to be vigilant in ensuring that our troops are protected, that our mission in Iraq is achieved, and that our international allies are a part of our efforts to combat terrorism.

 

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