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Senator Klobuchar Speaks about the Need for Change in Iraq

Klobuchar urges Senate to support balanced ratio of active duty to time at home

July 11, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) – Again urging for a change of course in Iraq, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) spoke on the Senate floor today about the Defense Authorization bill the chamber is currently debating. Klobuchar voted in support of an amendment introduced by Senators Webb (D-VA) and Hagel (R-NE) which would require that the military to allow active duty troops the opportunity to be at home at least as long as their previous deployment. Leaders of the National Guard and Reserves would be required to offer service members three years at home for every one year they are deployed.

“I believe the best thing we can do, for our troops, for our national interest, and for the Iraqis themselves, is to begin bringing our troops home, and to remove the bulk of U.S. combat forces by the spring of next year. Keeping over 150,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq is undermining our ability to achieve our objectives there and in the region. We need to start bringing them home,” noted Klobuchar on the floor of the senate today.

Klobuchar spoke about supporting the troops as well, earlier in the day she voted on an amendment which would require units deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to remain at home at least as long they were deployed, and give guard and reserves three years at home for every year they are deployed.

“The President’s policies have placed unprecedented demands on our military in the four years of this war. Our forces are exhausted and overstretched. It is critical, both for morale and for operational safety, that units be given proper time to rest, recuperate, and retrain before redeploying. America’s armed forces have a proud history and tradition that is unparalleled in the world. But when their ability to function properly is endangered, Congress must step in and address the situation,” said Klobuchar in this afternoon’s speech.

Klobuchar's full speech can be viewed here.

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