 This past fall, Americans sent a clear message demanding change in Iraq. I came to Congress for one resounding reason: support our troops by ending the war and bringing them home.
The first of what will likely be many steps to end the war occurred on March 23, 2007 when I, along with 217 of my colleagues, voted for the Iraq Veterans’ Health & Iraq War Accountability Supplemental bill. While this bill was far from ideal, I resolved that voting for this bill was a vote to end this war. However, this initial measure to end the war was vetoed by President Bush on May 2, 2007.
On May 10, 2007, I voted in support of H.R. 2237, the Iraq Redeployment Act . The legislation required the Department of Defense to begin redeployment of military forces no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the legislation and shall be completed within 180 days of the start of redeployment. Additionally, no funds could be obligated or expanded to increase the number of American troops serving in Iraq as of January 1, 2007. Although the Iraq Redeployment Act failed, the votes that were gathered expressed that Congress is progressing toward ending the occupation of Iraq . The 171 votes garnered through the bill showed President Bush and Iraqi leaders that Congress is willing to significantly reduce the American military presence in Iraq .
On May 24, 2007, I voted against the final bill providing emergency supplemental appropriations for the Iraq War fiscal year through September 2007. I voted against the supplemental appropriations bill because the legislation did not contain concrete timelines for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq . Although I opposed the supplemental appropriations, the measure passed by a vote of 280-142, on May 24, 2007.
Since this is a very important issue, I have decided to provide a chronology of votes taken in the House on the issue of the War in Iraq since January, 2007. I evaluate every vote about Iraq primarily through one lens: whether it will end the war and protect our troops.
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Date
Bill Number |
Title/
Description |
How I voted |
Final Vote |
| 10/2/07 H.R. 3087 |
"Requiring President Bush to develop a redeployment plan for troops in Iraq"
This bill requires the President to develop and transmit to Congress a comprehensive strategy for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces in Iraq.
|
Yea |
377-46
Passed
|
| 9/26/07 H.J.RES. 52 |
"Making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008"
To provide temporary funding at the current level for many federal government programs, including funding to continue the War in Iraq without any timetables for troop drawdowns.
|
Nay |
404-14
Passed
|
| 5/10/07 H.R. 2206 |
"Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007"
To provide short-term funding for 3 months with Congressional review and approval in July, 2007 |
Yea |
221-205
Passed |
| 5/10/07 H.R. 2237 |
"To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq"
Provided for a complete redeployemnet of American troops in Iraq within six months. |
Yea |
171-255
Failed |
| 3/23/07 H.R. 1591 |
"Fiscal 2007 Emergency Iraq/Hurricane Supplemental Appropriations"
Full funding for the troops and included a timetable for withdrawal and relief for Hurricane Katrina victims -- was vetoed May 1, 2007 by President Bush |
Yea |
218-212
Passed |
| 2/16/07H. Con. Res. 63 |
"Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.
This non-binding resolution condemned the so-called "surge" that would escalalte the War in Iraq. |
Yea |
246-182
Passed |
|
The Issues