Martinez on Iraq: Support the Troops and Let the Generals Run the War

Statement

MARTINEZ ON IRAQ: SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND LET THE GENERALS RUN THE WAR

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today voted in favor of S. Con. Res. 20, a resolution that states no funds should be cut off or reduced for American troops in the field which would result in undermining their safety or their ability to complete their assigned missions. S. Con. Res. 20 passed the Senate by a vote of 82 to 16. The senator voted against S.J. RES 9, a proposal that directs the President to begin the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq within 120 days. That measure failed to pass the Senate by a vote of 48 to 50.

Senator Martinez said:

"The Democratic Leadership of the Senate is looking to persuade the American people that our National Security would improve if we immediately withdrew U.S. forces from the region and provided our enemies with a timetable and roadmap for that withdrawal.

"Setting artificial, arbitrary timelines for withdrawal has been opposed by Republicans, Democrats, our top military leaders, and the Iraq Study Group.

"In the last two months, the Democrats have provided 17 different non-binding Iraq resolutions - none that will give Iraq a chance to succeed. I have a plan - let's support our troops by providing them the funding they need and allowing those responsible for executing the war to do their jobs. Let the generals on the field run the war."

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