Clyburn on Petraeus and Crocker Testimony
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn released the following statement today in response to testimony given by General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker before the House Armed Services and House Foreign Affairs Committee on the Iraq War.
“Despite the views being espoused by the Bush Administration on the Iraq War, the fact remains that this tenured campaign has taken an unrelenting toll on our nation’s military preparedness, budget priorities, troops and military families.
“Beyond the 4,000 U.S. lives lost and over $500 billion spent on this campaign, the Iraqi War has badly damaged our military readiness. Earlier this year Army Chief of Staff George Casey stated that the Iraq War is hurting the Army’s ability to sustain itself and plan for future contingencies. A recent survey of military officers found that 88% of them thought that the war had stretched the military dangerously thin.
“The human distresses resulting from this war have also been very costly. Many soldiers have had to endure 15 month long deployments and in some cases have served three to four tours of duty. Furthermore, over 29,000 servicemen and women have been injured and countless others are suffering from brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorders.
“So to ask our troops to continue to fight this war in perpetuity is unfair and inhumane. Our brave men and women in uniform have done their part. It’s time we ask the Iraqis to step up to the task, bring about political change and begin to take charge of their country. I implore the Bush Administration to do its part and redeploy our troops out of harms way.”
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