SAYS: "SITUATION ON THE GROUND DETERMINED BY U.S. COMMANDERS SHOULD DICTATE WITHDRAWAL"

Washington, Nov 14, 2007 - "We are seeing continued progress in Iraq and General Petraeus has already announced his proposal to draw down the number of U.S. troops in Iraq," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The situation on the ground as determined by our commanders should dictate the withdrawal." General Petraeus already has recommended reducing the number of troops in Iraq starting before the end of this year and into the spring of 2008.

Stearns today opposed the House passage of H.R. 4156, "the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act." H.R. 4156 provides $50 billion to cover the cost of ongoing military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. However, the measure also requires that troop withdrawals from Iraq begin within 30 days of enactment, with a goal of withdrawing most troops by Dec. 15, 2008.

"Once again, the leadership in Congress wants to bind the hands of our military leaders and impose a schedule for withdrawing our troops that has nothing to do reaching military and political objectives," added Stearns. "Many in Congress demanded a new course in Iraq and now that we are pursuing that new course, with measurable successes, they now want to undercut this initiative."