FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2007

REP. LARSON URGES REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO VOTE THEIR CONSCIENCE, STAND UP TO THE PRESIDENT & SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Vice Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, released the following statement regarding House consideration of H.R. 2956, The Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act. In addition, Larson responds to the White House release of an interim report on the progress in Iraq.

�The President�s own report says there is unsatisfactory progress being made in Iraq and the Iraqi government has failed to meet key benchmarks. This report is a clear indication that the President�s policy is failing, has failed and is unlikely that there will be any improvements between now and September. It�s time to get out now.

�The American people found their voice on the Iraq war a long time ago. Democrats have long been leading the charge for a new direction in Iraq and a growing number of courageous Republicans are finding their voice, rejecting the President�s failed stay the course strategy. I urge my Republican colleagues who are still on the fence�torn between blindly following the President�s failed policy and bringing our troops home---to reexamine where their loyalties lie.�

The Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act acknowledges that our military has accomplished the mission they were given in the original 2002 authorization to use force and that Iraq is now responsible for its own future; Requires American forces to begin redeploying within 120 days and to complete the transition to a limited presence by April 1, 2008; Reiterates that the redeployment must be done in a safe and orderly way, with maximum attention paid to the protection of American forces; Requires a comprehensive strategy by January 1, 2008 for U.S. policy in Iraq, including a discussion of American national security interests in Iraq and the broader region, the specific missions remaining forces would undertake, and minimum force levels required to accomplish them; The resolution names specific missions that the President must consider, but it does not require or authorize those missions; Requires the President to submit updates on the use of and need for any forces remaining in Iraq every 90 days starting on July 1, 2008.

 

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