WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA) welcomed new Congressional action to end the war in Iraq.  This week both the House and Senate will be voting on measures to force President Bush to confront the reality of his failed Iraq policies and bring U.S. troops home.  The legislation in the House is sponsored by Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO), and would begin the redeployment of U.S. troops within 120 days and complete redeployment by April 1, 2008. 

 “Democrats in Congress are trying to end this tragic war and this week’s action is our latest attempt.” said Capps.  “I have voted repeatedly against this war - it was a bad idea from the start and has been grossly mismanaged by the Bush Administration in virtually every way.   After four long years, thousands of needless deaths and debilitating injuries, and hundreds of billions of tax dollars spent, it is abundantly clear that we must end this war.  The American people have made it clear their desire for change in Iraq and the Democratic led Congress intends to honor that desire.  Our biggest challenge is convincing our Republican colleagues in the House and Senate to join us in this effort since it is obvious that President Bush is intent on continuing his failed strategies until the end of his term, irregardless of the toll it is taking on our troops.” 

This week’s votes continue the Democratic-led Congress’ ongoing efforts to hold the Bush Administration accountable and to end to the war in Iraq.  Since January the Democratic Congress has held over 219 hearings on Iraq, conducting the first serious oversight of the Bush Administration’s war policies. 

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.