"I am deeply disappointed that there is no deadline for troop withdrawal in this bill and will therefore vote against it."

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Peter Welch issued the following statement announcing his opposition to the conference report for the Iraq war supplemental. He will vote against the Iraq funding legislation when it reaches the floor later this week.

Two weeks ago, Welch, along with Rep. Jim McGovern and Rep. Betty Sutton, authored legislation that would have begun the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq within 90 days and required withdrawal be complete within 180 days. This was the most aggressive vote to end the war since it began and, while shy of the 218 required for passage, received an encouraging 171 supportive votes.

Welch has measured each bill on the Iraq war based on whether it would hasten or delay an end to the war. He has cited that, for his support, any legislation must impose strict accountability on President Bush and Iraqi leaders, revoke the President's blank check, and include a timetable to end the war:

"I am deeply disappointed that there is no deadline for troop withdrawal in this bill and will therefore vote against it. Regrettably, the President continues to stubbornly dig in his heels and cling to a failed policy. He has led this country into a catastrophic foreign policy failure and he continues to thumb his nose at retired generals, the will of the majority of Congress, and the majority of the American people.

"While I am profoundly disappointed, I remain determined to end this war.  This vote will not be the final say. Regrettably, the President continues to isolate himself on this war. The day of reckoning for this President is coming as more and more members of his own party find their voices and demand a change in course. I have great hope that in the coming months a veto-proof majority emerges in Congress that can stand up to the President to end this terrible war."