Washington, DC - With the House undertaking a series of votes on funding military operations in Iraq this evening, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) today spoke on the House floor in favor of H.R. 2237, legislation which would allocate funding towards withdrawing US troops and military contractors from Iraq.  While the bill did not pass, it strongly defied expectations, garnering 171 votes in its favor.  The following are her remarks as delivered:

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2237, a bill to bring our Armed Forces and defense contractors out of Iraq.

“This is not the first time I have come to this well to demand that our troops come home and that we end the occupation of Iraq.  In fact, I have come to this floor over 200 times.

“And as the first Member of Congress to call on the President to bring our troops home, and the author of the first amendment on the floor requiring the President to come up with a plan to end this misguided war, I am pleased that this vote is before us today.

“Finally, after four years, here we are.  Many of the provisions in the bill we are considering today were included in H.R. 508 (The Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act), a bill I introduced with Rep. Lee and Rep. Waters. Our provisions will fully fund bringing the troops home, prohibit permanent bases, and give the Iraqi people sovereignty and a sense of hope for the future.

“My colleagues, I urge you to support H.R. 2237.  Listen to the voices of the American people and stand up for our troops by bringing them home to their families.  Today we can end this misguided occupation."