Ruppersberger Supports Iraq Supplemental

Press Release

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland) voted for the "U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act" in the Appropriations Committee today. The measure, also known as the 2007 Iraq Supplemental spending bill, passed by a 36 to 28 vote.

The measure holds the Iraqi government responsible for political and military benchmarks laid out by President Bush in his January 10th speech and requires a phased redeployment of US troops in Iraq by August 2008 at the latest. It requires the President to honor the standards the Department of Defense has set for troop readiness, training, and equipment before sending troops into battle. It also provides urgent support to address the military medical care crisis at Walter Reed and other military hospitals.

Congressman Ruppersberger released the following statement:

"The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act holds the President accountable for the War in Iraq. Since the war began in March 2003, more than 3,200 of our finest sons and daughters have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. More than 25,000 troops have been wounded. The only people sacrificing in this war are the troops and their families. Now four years into the war, Iraq is in utter chaos and violence is commonplace. The President wants a blank check and an open ended commitment from Congress. I believe we need benchmarks to hold the President and the Iraqi government accountable. We must measure progress with specific military and political milestones that the President established so we can begin to redeploy forces and bring our men and women in uniform home.

"Our brave servicemen and women have performed in Iraq with valor and honor. They have done everything that a grateful nation has asked of them since the beginning of this war. Whether you are for or against this war, we must support our troops. This measure does that. In fact, it provides $2.5 million for improving the readiness of our stateside troops. It also requires the Department of Defense to make sure military personnel have the proper training and equipment before they can be deployed and limits the length of the deployment. The President must notify Congress in writing if he waives any of these requirements.

"I do not believe we need new troops in Iraq. I believe we need a new strategy in Iraq. The current strategy is clearly not working. I serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. I have been to Iraq four times and have met with America's top Generals, US and Iraqi troops, and Iraqi elected officials including Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. We must give the Iraqis more responsibility to take control of their own country. We must cut the apron strings and let the Iraqis patrol their own streets. American troops will guard the perimeter areas and back-up the Iraqis in an emergency. I call it the "Perimeter Plan." Redeploying troops to perimeter areas and lowering the profile of American forces will break the dependency the Iraqi military has on U.S. forces. The Iraqis will gain more confidence in their own abilities to secure their own country. This is not cut and run like some on the other side of the aisle would like you to believe. As Thomas Paine insisted during the American Revolution, we need to let those who want independence test their will and try their soul. More American troops hinder the Iraqi democracy from testing its will and its soul and hurt the world in the Global War on Terror.

"Iraq was not a hot bed for terrorists before the war but it is now. The country has become a magnet for those who want to harm Americans and Iraqis and disrupt this new democracy. Terrorists have used Iraq against us to recruit and spread their twisted ideology worldwide but the Global War on Terror is much more than Iraq. While we are spending much of our precious resources in Iraq, we are NOT focused on fighting terrorism worldwide. We are taking our eye off the ball. We must refocus our efforts in other parts of the Middle East, Asia, South America, Africa, and other parts of the world.

"We must also not forget about Afghanistan. The Supplemental adds $1 billion to the Defense Department request to address the rising conflict in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are gaining strength. Looking back, Afghanistan was where the war against Al-Qaeda began and where it should have stayed.

"The Iraq Supplemental also supports our troops when they come home. Many of us read about the deplorable conditions Veterans were forced to live in while they were getting care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This measure provides $1.7 billion for military health care for Walter Reed and other hospitals across the country.

"There is not a Member of this body who does not pray for our nation's success in Iraq and in the Global War on Terror. We must also take care of our nation's heroes when they come home from Iraq or Afghanistan. We must empower the Iraqis to chart their own course as they continue to create their democracy. Our ultimate goal is to have peace in the region and bring our military personnel home. It is not about Republicans or Democrats, it is about all Americans and keeping our world safe for our children and grandchildren."

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