Issue Position: Iraq

Issue Position

What I believe:

* Iraq posed no threat to our national security when President Bush ordered the invasion.

* This unnecessary war continues to waste American lives, squander our resources, and diminish America's ability to defend against terrorism.

* The invasion and occupation of Iraq have done lasting damage to America's standing in the world.

* The Iraq War has intensified global jihadism and produced a breeding ground for terrorism where there was none.

* The US military can increase security, but it cannot impose the political conditions necessary for peace in Iraq.

* Senior Bush Administration officials, including Vice President Dick Cheney, deliberately misled Congress and the American public to justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq, and they should be held accountable for their dishonesty.

What I have done:

* Introduced legislation to pull our troops off of street duty in Iraq.

* Cosponsored the resolution to initiate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Dick Cheney.

* Consistently voted against war funding not tied to benchmarks for Iraqi government performance or timetables for the responsible redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq.

* Cosponsored the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act, which passed the House. It would order the Secretary of Defense to begin reducing the number of combat troops in Iraq within 120 days of the law's passage.

* Cosponsored a resolution to limit the use of funds to establish any permanent military installations in Iraq. It passed the House.

* Vocally opposed the so-called "surge," which, though it may bring relative security to areas policed by courageous American service men and women, cannot resolve Iraq's deeply-rooted internal political divides.

What I will do:

* Support Barack Obama's plan for redeployment from Iraq.

* From my post on the Armed Services Committee, continue to call for the immediate redeployment of American troops from Iraq.

* Continue to look out for our troops, who, during the first few years of the war, lacked necessary equipment, including body and vehicle armor.

* Continue voting against any funding for the occupation of Iraq that is not tied to benchmarks for Iraqi government performance and timetables for the redeployment of U.S. forces.

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