This just showed up in my email inbox (my response below):
Dear xxx,
Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about U.S. foreign policy in Iraq . I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.
As you know, in the past month, the Senate has voted on numerous proposals to change course in Iraq . The United States cannot have an open ended commitment and U.S. forces should move out of a combat role into a support role for the Iraqi Army.
On March 29, 2007, I voted in favor of an Iraq Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill that included language to begin withdrawing American combat troops from Iraq no later than 120 days after the bill's enactment. Under this legislation, all U.S. combat forces, except for a limited number of essential forces to protect U.S. and coalition personnel and infrastructure, train Iraqi forces, and conduct targeted counter-intelligence operations, would be redeployed by March 31, 2008. Unfortunately, the President chose to veto this bill.
I also supported Senator Russ Feingold's (D-WI) amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. This amendment, which would establish a time line for U.S. combat troop reductions, was defeated by the Senate in a 29 to 67 vote.
On May 24, 2007, the Senate approved a new Iraq Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill by a vote of 80 to 14. This legislation mandates that the Iraqi government meet certain benchmarks, like taking responsibility for their own security, passing an oil law, and enacting de-Baathification laws, in order to continue to receive aid and support from the United States . Specifically, the language requires President Bush to submit reports to Congress on how the Government of Iraq is progressing on achieving and meeting these benchmarks.
I voted for the compromise Emergency Supplemental bill even though I was very disappointed with it. With U.S. troops serving in high risk areas, Congress must provide the proper funding so that our men and women have the body armor and equipment they need to do their jobs and come home safely. In the weeks and months ahead, I will continue to work with my colleagues to hold the president accountable, changing the course in Iraq , and bringing our troops home.
The President's current strategy of a troop buildup simply will not solve the political problems that continue to plague Iraq . Instead we must work with the international community to press the Iraqis to make the necessary political compromises to stabilize Iraq .
It is disappointing that the President's strategy fails to incorporate the recommendations proposed by the Iraq Study Group. I support many of the Iraq Study Group's key recommendations and have previously called for some of these options such as more robust diplomatic and political efforts in Iraq and the region. We need to act urgently to press for a political solution and build international consensus to stabilize Iraq and the region.
At the same time, we need more accountability in Iraq to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively and efficiently. The Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction has uncovered mismanagement, waste, fraud and abuses in reconstruction efforts. To ensure that the Inspector General can continue to provide the necessary oversight, I joined Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in introducing the Iraq Reconstruction Accountability Act of 2006 (S. 4046). This legislation will extend the Inspector General's term that was set to expire on October 1, 2007. I am pleased that this measure was signed into law by the President on December 20, 2006.
Please be assured that I will continue to press for progress in Iraq , so we can bring our troops home.
Thank you again for contacting me to share your thoughts on this matter. Finally, you may be interested in signing up for my weekly update for Washington state residents. Every Monday, I provide a brief outline about my work in the Senate and issues of importance to Washington State . If you are interested in subscribing to this update, please visit my website at
http://cantwell.senate.gov . Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Maria Cantwell
United States Senator
I sent back this response:
"Senator, from your letter:
"With U.S. troops serving in high risk areas, Congress
must provide the proper funding so that our men and
women have the body armor and equipment they need to
do their jobs and come home safely."
This is a George Bush and Republican talking point.
To tie together "funding for the war" with "funding
for the safety of the troops" is a LIE. The troops
could be safely brought home with money already
appropriated. The saddest part is that you know this
full well.
Why are you parroting George Bush talking points to
justify this continued killing?
YOU now OWN this war Senator. Lies, murder and all.
It belongs to you. The blood of every dead child in
Iraq is now on YOUR hands.
Have a nice day."
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