Press Releases
Contact:
Brendan Daly/Nadeam Elshami
202-226-7616
For Immediate Release
07/10/2007
Pelosi: House to Vote to Change Course in Iraq
Washington, D.C.
– The House Democratic leadership tonight announced that the House will vote
later this week on a bill to change course in Iraq. The legislation, sponsored by
Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, would begin the responsible
redeployment of U.S.
troops within 120 days and complete redeployment by April 1, 2008. The President would have to report to
Congress why troops should remain in Iraq for limited purposes such as
to fight terrorism or to train Iraqi forces.
Pelosi said: "The American people have rejected the
President's failed policies in Iraq
and his war without end. The situation on the ground in Iraq is
worsening, and the Iraqi government has failed to meet the benchmarks set in
law. This week, every Member of the House will have an opportunity to vote to
set a new direction in Iraq. The American people want Congress to bring
our troops home, refocus our efforts to fighting terrorism, and hold the Bush
Administration accountable.”
Skelton said: "A change in course in Iraq is
overdue. We must begin the responsible
redeployment of our forces from Iraq. The strength of the American military depends
on its readiness which is currently depleted after four years in the middle of
a deteriorating sectarian conflict. Our
military must transition to a limited presence that protects enduring American
interests and restores the readiness of our forces."