Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act, 2008

ORDERLY AND RESPONSIBLE IRAQ REDEPLOYMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - November 14, 2007)

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Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the majority party's Iraq supplemental appropriations bill.

It is baffling that at the precise moment when the surge in Iraq is producing positive results, the majority party would like to pull the rug out from underneath our troops.

Violence is down. Sunnis in al Anbar have allied with U.S. forces against al Qaeda. Baghdad is regaining some sense of normalcy.

By no means can we declare ``victory'' but our troops can rightfully claim progress. Despite these positive developments, the majority party wants to withdraw our forces--as if the enemy won't follow us home.

I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: are they prepared to take responsibility for the disastrous consequences of an early withdrawal?

Are they prepared to witness the chaos and destruction in Iraq?

Most importantly, are they willing to pass this responsibility on to the next generation of Americans who may be forced to finish the job we did not have the courage to complete?

My colleagues are right: we have made a significant financial and personal investment in Iraq. Let us have the courage of our convictions to see it through.

I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and pass a clean supplemental bill that provides support to those who are fighting and dying. We owe them that much.

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