Olver Responds to PDA
May 14, 2008, Pittsfield , MA
On April 28, a PDA contingent led by Les and Susie Patlove met with Rep. John Olver (MA01) in his home office to discuss PDA's legislative agenda. Rep. Olver was highly responsive to the group and promised to submit a written statement. Today, we received the following:
This week the House of Representatives will consider a supplemental war spending bill that will fund the war in Iraq through the first months of the next administration. I strongly oppose this legislation and will vote against any future appropriations measures that fail to mandate the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq.
As you may know, I have been a consistent and outspoken critic of the Administration's misguided policy in Iraq. President Bush and his Administration failed to present the American public with a compelling case for our invasion of Iraq and have obstinately refused to adjust their strategies to match the reality on the ground. While the toppling of Sadaam Hussein's regime and the holding of free democratic elections in Iraq are positive developments, this does not justify our invasion or our continued presence. Prior to the invasion, Iraq was a contained danger, separate from the war on terror. Since the invasion, Iraq has become a hotbed for terrorists. By invading Iraq we have made the U.S. less safe, diverted resources needed at home, and badly damaged our standing in the world, especially the Arab and Muslim world.
It is long past time for the U.S. to end our misguided unilateral presence in Iraq. At this very late date virtually everyone agrees that peace and stability for Iraq cannot be secured militarily but only politically. For true security, safety, reform and peace to prevail, our military must leave and allow Iraqis to take ownership of the stability and unity of their country through political means. As long as US troops are there to do the hard work, Iraqi leaders will continue to avoid making the difficult political decisions necessary to stabilize the country.
The supplemental spending bill slated for consideration this week is split into three parts: the first provides $160 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the second imposes policy restrictions including a goal of withdrawing all U.S. troops from Iraq within two years; and the third provides additional funding for a new GI bill, extended unemployment insurance, and other domestic spending items. Members of Congress will vote on each of the three parts independently of the others.
As I have done with previous supplemental spending bills to fund the War in Iraq, I will vote against the war funding piece. I plan to support the Iraq policy restrictions which
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prohibit interrogation techniques tantamount to torture, reject the establishment of permanent bases,
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require Congressional authorization prior to any long-term security agreement, mandate U.S. reconstruction aid be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Iraqi Government,
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ensure all U.S. troops are “combat-ready,” subject contractors working in war zones to U.S. law, and
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require that troops begin redeployment from Iraq within 30 days with a goal of completing withdrawal of combat troops by December, 2009.
In addition, I will support the third section of the bill, a domestic spending package, which, among other initiatives, significantly expands educational benefits for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. This final section also provides aid to address the rising international food crisis and special reconstruction funding to strengthen New Orleans levees.
With regard to our continued presence in Iraq, I believe that we should withdraw our troops as quickly and as safely as possible. I voted against the 2002 authorization for the use of force in Iraq and I will oppose any additional funding that does not mandate the eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops. Signaling the limited nature of our presence will be a powerful incentive for the Iraqi government to take advantage of the recent security improvements to resolve their differences and begin the process of unifying their country. Going forward, the U.S. must pressure the Iraqi government to seek compromise rather than division, aggressively engage all of Iraq's neighbors, gather the expertise of international organizations, and mandate the safe withdrawal of American troops.
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