05.22.08

Cantwell Votes to Safely Redeploy Troops From Iraq, Restore Military Readiness, and Address National Security Threats

WASHINGTON, DC – Thursday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) cast a series of votes to increase education benefits for our nation’s veterans, transition our country’s mission in Iraq, remove our troops from Iraq’s ongoing civil war, and begin to shift responsibility to the Iraqi government.
 
 “For six years, Congress has written a series of blank checks to President Bush and his Administration without a clear strategy for establishing security long-term security and stability in Iraq.  While I want to do everything I can to ensure our military has the equipment and resources it needs to get the job done, we can no longer maintain an open-ended commitment in Iraq.  It’s time to effectively transition our mission and begin to shift responsibility to the Iraqi government so that we can restore our military readiness, and address other national security threats and needs at home. This conflict requires a political solution and the Iraqis need to take control of their own security and their own future. Ultimately, Iraq’s future is in the hands of the Iraqi people and they must make the political compromises needed to stabilize their country.”
 
 
 
# # #