Iraq

In 2002 I voted to oppose President Bush's decision to invade Iraq, as I believed that a diplomatic solution was still possible. I remain convinced that this preemptive invasion and war with Iraq has weakened America's relationships with its allies, our standing in the United Nations and NATO, and respect for international law. I am a member of the Congressional Out of Iraq Caucus, which was established to force a debate about the war in Iraq and the Bush Administration’s justifications for the decision to go to war, to urge the return of US service members to their families as soon as possible, and to provide a voice in Congress for the individuals and groups who support these efforts.

As of June 7, 2009, more than 4,300 brave Americans and an estimated 100,000 Iraqis have been killed in Iraq, with tens of thousands of soldiers and Iraqi civilians maimed.

The costs of the war continue to mount at a time when our national and California economy both face unprecedented challenges. Taxpayers in our Congressional District have paid over $3.1 billion for the cost of the Iraq War through 2009. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided for our district:

• 1,262,338 People with Health Care OR
• 5,464,635 Homes with Renewable Electricity OR
• 54,792 Public Safety Officers OR
• 43,327 Music and Arts Teachers OR
• 460,926 Scholarships for University Students OR
• 573,271 Students receiving Pell Grants of $5350 OR
• 9,180 Affordable Housing Units OR
• 1,146,470 Children with Health Care OR
• 366,866 Head Start Places for Children OR
• 44,050 Elementary School Teachers OR
• 38,737 Port Container Inspectors

President Obama’s planned Iraq troop drawdown, which would leave the majority of American troops in place until early 2010, with some combat units in place even beyond a declared August 2010 target for withdrawal,deserves consideration, and is a marked departure from President Bush’s failed policies.

I remain committed to bringing our troops home while minimizing the damage left in the wake of President Bush’s decisions. I believe we must engage in sustained diplomatic efforts, coupled with economic and civic programs, to combat the threats we face. The presence and cost of U.S. troops in Iraq compromises the readiness of our military, undermines respect for our nation abroad, and shortchanges our domestic priorities, including homeland security.