Date: 2007-02-16
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in opposition to this resolution condemning the Presidents. proposal for achieving success in Iraq and overall victory in the global war on terror. We are not formulating policy today. We are not offering the President an alternative. All this resolution is saying is that we do not support our Commander in Chief. and all it is doing is emboldening the terrorist enemies we are facing today. I am the first to welcome an open discussion about our involvement in Iraq. But. without the opportunity to consider an alternative. this is not open discussion. Why isnt this an open discussion? Because although the majority party has the authority to govern. they have no plan to lead. For over a year. the majority party criticized the President for not making changes in his strategy in Iraq. Well. the President has made changes. and the majority party still is not satisfied. We can all agree that our progress has not been as swift and decisive as we once hoped. We all recognize that the war in Iraq has carried on longer than we wanted and consumed more resources than we expected. However. we all knew from the beginning that it would not be easy. that the war against terror would not be a quick fight. But when the going gets tough. it does not mean that we should give in and come home. As we cannot and must not turn back. we need a fresh approach to move forward. The President. along with his generals on the ground. have proposed a way forward. He has put forth a strategy to suppress the sectarian violence in Iraq and allow democratic reforms to take hold and economic institutions to flourish. His plan is the only plan that provides for a way forward in Iraq. For us in Congress. it is not our job to become involved in tactical decisions that will lead to success in our mission. It is our responsibility to help shape the parameters of the mission and to conduct oversight on our progress in achieving the mission. Republicans in Congress have proposed setting verifiable benchmarks with which we may measure our progress in Iraq. Such benchmarks will help us hold the Iraqi regime responsible for the progress made towards democracy. stability and peace in the country. We should be discussing our responsibility as oversight today. but we are not. We are left with debate on an empty and nonbinding resolution. I am a proud cosponsor of Congressman SAM JOHNSONS bill to ensure that funding is not cut off or restricted for members of the Armed Forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must support every effort in our fight against terrorists. If the majority allowed us an opportunity. I would have gladly supported a vote on that bill to reaffirm that the House will not abandon our Armed Forces under any circumstance. Whether the majority would like to acknowledge it or not. the fight we are engaged in against terrorists in Iraq is not a new fight. It has been waged for a decade. We have faced terrorists in Beirut. we have facel terrorists in Saudi Arabia. and we have faced terrorists here on our own soil on September 11. 2001. We have learned it is absolutely essential to confront terrorists abroad before they attack us at home. Despite what some of you may say. our withdrawal will not end the terrorist threat. After all. it is they who have declared Iraq to be the central front in the struggle. We cannot withdraw. We cannot send our troops and other allies the message that we will quit when the going gets tough. Instead. we must move forward with the operations in Iraq. with the Iraqi people. to ensure that peace and stability take hold. We must change our strategy as the situation in the field dictates. To do otherwise would be foolish. But by maintaining our commitment in Iraq. we preserve the prospects of peace. By withdrawing. we surrender our chances of permanent stability in the Middle East. This- resolution in so many words says that we cannot be successful. and we are bound to fail. I refuse to agree. I refuse to undercut the brave work of our troops by questioning their abilities and refuse to allow terrorists to flourish and our enemies be emboldened and thereby let you. the American people. down. Our brave men and women risk their lives to provide peace and security here at home. and we are all proud to know such patriots. These young men and womeh. full of promise. voluntarily defend our Nation wherever they are called. It reminds- me of a young man in my district. and I presented him with his Eagle S6out awards when he was 17 years old. It was in 2003. A little less than 2 years later than that. in 2004. I attended the- funeral for Lance Corporal Abraham Simpson. who made the ultimate sacrifice in Fallujah. He was just 19 years old. When I went to the parents of Abraham and presented a flag that was flown over our great Nation after the funeral. it was honestly one of the most moving experiences I have had. not only in my congressional career but of my life. When I looked at Abrahams father in his car. I couldnt talk. All I could say to him was. "I voted to send him there." Abrahams dad looked me square in the eye. with as serious a look as he could get. and he said. "Congressman. it was the right vote." Like so many families across our country. the Simpson family has made a great sacrifice for our Nation. This resolution. however. says that the world. that the men and women like Lance Corporal Simpson. gave their lives for. was worthless.. that America cannot be successful in the pursuit of which they nobly sacrificed themselves. I believe that we can. I know that if we stand firm in our principles and remain true to our convictions. we can succeed. For that reason. I am going to vote "no" on this resolution. I rise today in opposition to this resolution condemning the Presidents proposal for achieving success in Iraq and overall victory in the Global War on Terror.