OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Stop Troop Escalation

Floor Speech

Date: Feb. 8, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Military Personnel


STOP TROOP ESCALATION -- (House of Representatives - February 08, 2007)

Mr. WELCH of Vermont. Mr. Speaker, it is becoming ever more clear that the troop escalation plan proposed by the administration is not--is not--in our Nation's best interest or in the best interest of bringing stability to Iraq.

Last week, three different events demonstrated why it is absolutely essential that Congress accept its responsibility to debate the President's plan. First, the cost of the escalation: The President has advertised it to be $5.6 billion; CBO, nonpartisan, estimates it will be $21 billion.

Second, the number of troops required, the President is selling it, advertising it as requiring 21,600 troops. CBO estimates suggest that it will be at least 48,000 troops.

Next, Pentagon officials admitted last week that they do not have enough armored vehicles, armored kits and other equipment that is absolutely essential to protecting the well-being of our troops. We cannot be sending troops into battle without the equipment and the protection that they need.


Source
arrow_upward