Iraq is George Bush's Vietnam, and we cannot allow history torepeat itself any longer. Our troops deserve better. We must act now.
Today, I introduced legislation to reclaim the people'sright to a full voice in the president's plan to send more troops toIraq. My bill will say that no additional troops can be sent and noadditional dollars can be spent on such an escalation unless and untilCongress approves the president's plan.
Congress must exert its constitutional authority and demand avote before any escalation in Iraq. In October 2002, Members ofCongress authorized a war against the regime of Saddam Hussein, not tosend our troops into a civil war. I voted against that resolution andfeel an escalation of this war only compounds the original mistake ofgoing in the first place.
A military escalation in Iraq would not strengthen ournational security -- instead it would further weaken it by enabling theIraqis to avoid taking responsibility for their own future. More than3000 American soldiers have died in Iraq and more than 22,000 have beenwounded.
Instead of continued mistakes and shoot-from-the-hip policies,it's time to get this right. The President must make clear the missionof our troops and lay out a path to bring them home, and Congress muststop being a rubberstamp for failed policies and stand up and act.
Never before has our system of checks and balances been soimportant. Join the thousands who have already shown their support bysigning our petition:
I hope you'll take a moment to learn a little more about thislegislation and then spread the word. We have posted video of my speechat the National Press Club. I have also posted a diary at DailyKos.comearlier today. That post includes an email sent to TedKennedy.commembers.
Watch the video of today's speech below and use the "share"feature to build support in your community for a new direction in Iraq.
