Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act

Press Release

Congressman Hank Johnson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined bi-partisan passage of the Responsible Redeployment From Iraq Act, which sets a firm deadline for troop withdrawal.

The bill mandates that redeployment begin within 120 days of enactment and end by April 1, 2008. It also requires that the President justify any post-re-deployment missions including specification of the minimum number of troops involved.

"Our first responsibility is to protect America and our brave troops. This legislation is intended to bring our service men and women home post haste rather than whenever this Administration finds a way to save face," said Rep. Hank Johnson. "We went into this war under false pretenses and we need to pull out in a responsible way because it is the right thing to do. This bill ensures that we do so, sooner rather than later."

According to the Congressman, the U.S. is in the fifth year of the war and over 3,600 American lives have been lost. He said 26,000 service personnel have been wounded and taxpayers have spent over $450 billion. Rep. Johnson's vote was cast just hours after the release of a critical benchmark report which gave failing grades to the Iraqi government for the lack of political and economic successes.

"I have supported an immediate withdrawal from Iraq and I have been a vocal opponent of the President's surge plan. In fact, I voted against funding the President's war supplemental request," said Johnson. "While I do not think this bill goes far enough or moves fast enough, I understand that Congress must reach a consensus and I am proud to have supported this measured approach."

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