IV Post

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Bob Filner joined a majority in the House of Representatives and backed legislation that will redeploy our troops and offer a new direction for Iraq. The Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act was approved by a vote of 218 to 203.

 

“Young men and women from California are risking their lives in Iraq and more of the same is unacceptable,” said Filner. “Our plan redeploys our troops, holds President Bush accountable and will bring about a new direction in Iraq.”

 

The legislation approved by the House calls for the redeployment of American troops from Iraq and a change in mission for U.S. forces on the ground. Specifically, the bill:

 

* Requires the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin within 30 days of the bill being signed into law, with a target for completion of December 15, 2008

* Requires a transition in the mission of US forces in Iraq from primarily combat to: force and diplomatic protection, limited support for Iraqi security forces and targeted counterterrorism operations

* Prohibits deployment of any troops not fully equipped and trained, but allows the President to waive this prohibition only if the national security of the United States is in danger

* Prohibits all US government agencies from engaging in torture

 

President Bush has asked Congress for an additional nearly $200 billion for Iraq, which would bring the total cost of the Iraq war to more than $600 billion. Additionally, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that, under the President’s policies, the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could total $2.4 trillion through the next decade. The bill passed by the House provides $50 billion to meet the immediate needs of our troops, but defers consideration of the remainder of the President’s nearly $200 billion request. 

 

“Congress will no longer offer President Bush a blank check for war,” added Filner. “After more than four years, billions of dollars and thousands of lives lost, I will not rubber-stamp the Bush plan for more of the same.”