Date: 2007-10-02
Speaker: VAN HOLLEN (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support ot H.R. 3087. which requires the President. in coordination with the Departments of State and Dlefense. to transmit to the Congress a strategy for the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq. The bill also requires the Secretary of Defense. not later than 60 days after the enactment of this act. and every 90 days thereafter. to submit to congressional defense committees a report on the status of this planning. In addition. the bill requires the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to brief these same congressional committees on the matters contained in the report. Furthermore. the legislation contains "sense of Congress" language that the contingency planning should: address the protection of Iraqi forces. Iraqi nationals. third party nationals and U.S. civilians who Hl1123 have assisted the U.S. mission. enhance the administration stated. "In the coming months. ability of the United States to fight AIQaeda -the United States will continue to operate and affiliated terrorist organizations. and pre- along four lines of operationsecurity. politserve military equipment necessary to defend ical. economic. and diplomaticto advance the national security interests of the United our objectives." In our war on terror. diploStates. Additional provisions in the bill include macy cannot be used as a last resort. A war supporting and equipping Iraqi armed forces to on terrorism is. as the Bush Administration take full responsibility for their own security. has stated. a war for the "hearts and minds." This resolution is an important component of which simply cannot be won through military Congresss oversight of the Iraq war. and action. compels the administration to engage with Mr. Speaker. our troops in Iraq did everyCongress on the planning for responsible re- thing we asked them to do. We sent them deployment of our combat troops. The Presi- overseas to fight an army. they are now dents Iraq policy of putting our brave men and caught in the midst of an insurgent civil war women in the Armed Forces in the position of and political upheaval. I have. for some time policing the streets of Baghdad and other Iraqi now. argued the importance of the Congress cities in the midst of a sectarian war is the going on record acknowledging for all the wrong strategy and one that continually puts world to know the success of the Americas them in harms way. I will continue to advocate armed forces in Iraq. Our brave troops have for an immediate start to the responsible rede- completed the task we set for them. it is time ployment of our combat troops from Iraq. but now to bring them home. Our next steps in the meantime. it is important to garner as should not be a continuing escalation of millmany votes as possible within the Congress to tary involvement. but instead a diplomatic send a strong message to the administration surge. that it must begin to plan for a comprehensive As the former chairman and vice chairman redeployment of our forces to provide for the of the 9/11 Commission. Thomas H. Kean and best possible protection of our brave men and Lee H. Hamilton. recently stated. "Military women in uniform. power is essential to our security. but if the