Stupak Statement on House Iraq - U.S. Troops Resolution
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a resolution (327-93) regarding the liberation of the Iraqi people and to honor the American troops serving in Iraq. The resolution comes on the one year anniversary of when the U.S. went to war against Iraq. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) voted in favor of the resolution, but still expressed concern that Congress and the Administration should be doing more to show its appreciation to American soldiers and veterans. The following is Stupak's statement that he submitted to the record regarding this resolution.
"I am proud of the valiant service from our men and women in our Armed Services. That's why I am disappointed that the House leadership decided to present this toothless resolution rather than provide real assistance for our troops.
They say this resolution is meant to thank the American military men and women serving in Iraq. But if they truly wanted to honor these soldiers - this same leadership should have supported my amendment last year that would have given every American solider serving in Iraq and Afghanistan a $1,500 bonus. But it failed with 210 Republicans voting against it.
The president is traveling across the country to mark the war's anniversary and thank our troops. Yet his budget cuts Veterans health benefits - just like last year. Some thanks!
I support this resolution. But let's be clear: this resolution won't save any lives; it won't provide adequate body armor and armored humvees to our troops any quicker; it doesn't repair the damage done to our reputation in the international community, it won't bring our troops home any sooner and it won't heal a single wound or restore a single American life lost in Iraq.
The resolution also fails to answer some key questions:
Why did this Administration mislead the American people 237 times in their statements about the so-called immediate threat from Iraq? As Mr. Murtha of Pennsylvania stated, 'never have so few, misled so many.'
Why did this Administration say that reconstruction would only cost Americans $1.7 billion and that other countries and Iraqi oil would cover the rest? Instead American taxpayers have paid billions of dollars in rebuilding Iraq - and the tab is likely to increase in the next year.
To date, we have spent more than $150 billion in Iraq.
Mr. Speaker, more than 560 soldiers have died in Iraq and another 5,300 have been injured. We owe it to them, to their families and to all Americans to level with them and give them the straight answers on why we went into Iraq and how long it will take to get the job done.
Like all Americans, I am proud of our American soldiers in Iraq who are serving their country with dedication and courage. But I am not proud of those in the Administration that may have misled our great nation into war."
The 237 misleading statements cited in Stupak's statement can be found on the House Committee on Government Reform Minority Office web page at: