8^th District Congressman and Iraq War Veteran Patrick Murphy was Joined by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to Tout the Democrats’ Plan for Iraq and Care for Wounded Veterans

(Bristol, PA) – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8^th district) was joined by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) at the Joseph A. Schumacher VFW Post 1597 to call for changes in Iraq and in the way veterans are treated.  At a press conference, Reps. Murphy and Hoyer were joined by local veterans to tout the Democratic plan for Iraq that sets benchmarks to get the Iraqis off the sidelines, timelines to redeploy our troops and adds funding for troops in the field and troops coming home. Rep. Murphy is a former U.S. Army Captain and Iraq war veteran who served with the 82^nd Airborne Division in Baghdad.

“In the military we had timelines for everything – it’s long overdue that we had a timeline to redeploy our troops from Iraq,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy.  “Instead of sending more Americans to referee an Iraqi civil war, the benchmarks we have put forward would encourage the Iraqis to come off the sidelines and fight for their country.  The other thing our plan does is take care of troops in the field, troops coming home and improves care for veterans from all generations who have often been neglected.”

“Americans have called for a new direction in Iraq, and our proposal does just that,” Majority Leader Hoyer said.  “It will ensure our troops have the equipment they need, hold the Iraqi government and the President accountable to his own benchmarks for progress, lay out a responsible redeployment plan for our troops, and refocus on the war on terror.  I thank Congressman Murphy for his continued leadership on this issue.”

The Democrats’ Plan for Iraq:

• Calls on the Iraqi government to finally come off the sidelines by instituting benchmarks.

• Creates a timeline to redeploy American troops from Iraq.

• Fully supports our troops by giving them the equipment and resources they need.

• Fully supports our veterans by giving the VA added funding so that they are able to take care of a new generation of veterans and care for those of older generations.

• Addresses the resurgent Taliban by sending more troops to support the forces fighting in Afghanistan.

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For Immediate Release, March 16, 2007