Iraq

Iraq is certainly an issue that has divided the American people and continues to do so. People disagree on issues of responsibility, timeframes, and funding. Everything under the sun is up for debate, all that is, except our troops. Every person who serves is a hero. Each has given something of themselves to promote and protect the ideals that make the United States so great.

That's why we must continue to provide funding for them for as long as they are in harm's way.  

For years, the Iraqi people suffered under a tyrannical government built upon fear and intimidation.  While challenges still exist, Iraq has taken the first steps to establishing an enduring constitutional democracy that is committed to freedom for all its citizens.  And, the United States still has an important role to play in that process.  

In a speech before a joint session of Congress on July 26, 2006, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said, "Defeating terrorism is the duty of all of us. Today, Iraq stands at the forefront of this struggle against terrorism.... If democracy is allowed to fail in Iraq and terrorists are allowed to [claim] victory, you will never achieve victory in the war against terrorism in other parts of the world.”

I agree with that statement.  I believe that Iraq is a major part of our ongoing Global War on Terror.  Congress needs to give the President and his military commanders the leeway to fight, and more importantly win, this battle against terrorism.  

Important Legislation

H. 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:  Introduced by many who oppose the U.S. presence in Iraq during the 110^th Congress, this bill opposed the President's decision to send additional troops to Iraq to secure victory over the insurgents and terrorists we continue to face.  I opposed this resolution because I believe that victory in Iraq is our only option and I do not believe that opposing the Commander-in-Chief in this manner helps accomplish this goal.  The President and his generals on the ground need the leeway to fight this war.

Without victory, the major concern is that terrorists will gain confidence in their opposition to the United States and their ability to defeat us militarily. We embolden them and offer them the opportunity to further their attacks against American men, women and children.

H.R. 2206, War Supplemental Funding:  This bill was intended to fully fund the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the primary purpose of this bill seems to be to tie the hands of our commanders on the ground in such a way that they can’t possibly succeed. Congress cannot place itself in a position to make decisions regarding an artificial withdrawal timeline that properly belongs to the President and those that give him military advice. 

With all this in mind, I voted against this bill believing that while Congress has an important oversight role to play in regard to military operations, the U.S. Constitution clearly states that the President is Commander-in-Chief of our nation's armed forces.  As such he and his commanders are responsible for making the final military decisions for the nation.