This is a sad milestone and my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 4,000 soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their service.

This great loss is a stark reminder that President Bush’s failed and disastrous policies have real and tragic consequences. It is a stark reminder that even in the midst of the Iraq recession, nothing compares to the human costs of this war and occupation. It is a stark reminder that our nation was misled into a senseless war that now must end.

Five years ago the Bush administration misled the American people into believing there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; misled many to believe Iraq posed an imminent threat, and; misled the nation about a false connection between the tragic events of 911 and Saddam Hussein.

As we enter the sixth year of the U.S. occupation in Iraq, the best way to honor these brave men and women is to fully fund the redeployment of our troops and contractors from Iraq and invest the billions of dollars in monthly savings in supporting our nation’s veterans, including the more than 28,000 wounded in Iraq.

I have introduced a comprehensive package of legislation to address the Iraq recession and fully fund the redeployment of U.S. troops within one year. The following is an overview of the bills:

H.R.5507 - Fully-Funded U.S. Military Redeployment and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act

The Fully-Funded U.S. Military Redeployment and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act, introduced by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), seeks to change the course of U.S. policy in Iraq and requires the redeployment of all U.S. troops and military contractors within one year. (February 2008)

H.Res.1028 (Status Of Forces Agreement Resolution)

In response to reports of secret negotiations by the Bush administration to reposition the Declaration of Principles with Iraq that was signed without Congressional approval, H.Res.1028 reasserts the constitutional process and makes it clear that any agreement, other than a treaty, requires congressional authority, approval, and appropriations. (March 2008)

H.RES.1019 (‘Iraq Recession’ Resolution)

This resolution connects the recession to the occupation of Iraq and formally acknowledges the ‘Iraq recession.’ (March 2008)

H.R.5128 (Declaration of Principles Bill)

H.R.5128 expressly disapproves of any formal agreement emerging from the Declaration of Principles that does not have the approval of both the House and Senate and makes it clear that the Iraqi Parliament should also have strict guidelines and a clear role from the Iraqi side in approving any such agreements. (February 2008)

This entry was posted on Friday, March 28th, 2008 at 9:03 am and is filed under Politics .