WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lois Capps released the following statement on President Bush’s plans to continue America’s open ended commitment in Iraq:

“President Bush’s remarks tonight show that he remains blindly committed to continuing the status quo in Iraq, even as the American people and the facts on the ground demand a new direction.

“The President’s proposal simply acknowledges the reality that his so-called “surge” has to end next spring unless he breaks his promise to limit troop deployments to 15 monthsand to allow at least 12 months of home leave. It’s not based on any reassessment of the war and his failing strategy, nor is it an indication of great progress in Iraq. Quite the contrary, the violence in Iraq has not really lessened and the government seems incapable of achieving any political reconciliation. Meanwhile, with Iraq consuming the attention of our military and national security structure other threats to our country are being neglected.

“Incredibly, under President Bush’s proposal there will be basically the same number of U.S. troops in Iraq in the summer of 2008 as were there in the winter of 2007. This is completely unacceptable. While President Bush may want to leave this mess to his successor, I believe we owe our troops and our country a more responsible course of action. We need to bring the war to an end and we need to do it now.”

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