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Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Ron Klein (FL-22) issued the following statement today concerning his vote in favor of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act, which the House of Representatives is expected to pass Wednesday evening. The Senate is expected to pass the measure Thursday. The measure will then go to the President, who will be faced with a choice to either stay the course in Iraq or support a new direction.
“Responding to the American people’s demand for change and a new direction in Iraq, the House of Representatives tonight passed the final version of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health and Accountability Act, and the Senate is expected to pass this same measure this week. The majority of Americans, both chambers of the United States Congress and countless military experts are calling for a new policy in Iraq and it is time for President Bush to listen.
“While the premise for this war was misguided and misleading, the war has cost us the precious lives of over 3,000 U.S. troops. Over 20,000 troops have been severely wounded – injuries they will suffer from for the rest of their lives. This war has eaten up over $400 billion in U.S. tax dollars. Our troops are dangerously pushed to the limit and we risk being unable to protect our own national security, and that of our allies like Israel, from other growing threats like Iran.
“When the people of South Florida chose me to be their voice in Congress, they put their trust and faith in me to represent their values and priorities. By supporting this bill today, I am holding true to the promises I made to our brave men and women in uniform, our veterans, and the people of South Florida, to call for a real plan for accountability in Iraq. If the President vetoes this bill, he will not only defy the wishes of the American people, but he will be voting against the very funding he requested for our brave men and women in uniform.” |
