Hill Supports the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act

Press Release

Hill Supports the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act

(Washington, DC) - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Orderly and Responsibly Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act last night. The bill, H.R. 4156, appropriates $50 billion to be largely used for the redeployment of American troops from Iraq. In response, Congressman Baron Hill issued the following statement:

"The President cannot and will not continue to get a blank check from Congress to further his ‘stay-the-course' strategy in Iraq. Instead, this bill provides critical funds for our troops - funds to ensure they have the proper equipment, funds to train the Iraqi Security Forces and, most importantly, funds to redeploy our troops out of Iraq.

The combat mission in Iraq has been fulfilled; our troops have performed magnificently in every effort they have undertaken. Now, the mission is to turn over control of all political and security issues to the Iraqi people.

Let me be clear: this bill is not a veiled cut-and-run policy. In contrast, it places significant emphasis on creating a comprehensive, long-term, diplomatic, political and economic strategy to bring lasting stability to Iraq. Simply because our military mission in Iraq is concluding, our commitment to the region is not.

This bill also addresses our current military readiness crisis. Due to long, extended, exhausting and repeated tours of duty in Iraq our soldiers are stretched too thin. We must redeploy our troops, reinstate proper combat training and regain the resolute prowess of the American military."

Source