I had written to Representative Woolsey to encourage a more forceful stand against continued war in Iraq, and I received a thoughtful reply, with a pledge to end the US occupation of Iraq with HR508. Speaker Pelosi had recently namedRepresentative Woolsey to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and with that move, providing more visible Congressional opposition to the war in Iraq.
The best outcome of this week's House debate on Iraq is a vote to end US military engagement in Iraq Encourage your representative to support Representative Woolsey's bill HR508 to end US military operations in Iraq within 6 months.
Please consider recommending this diary to get momentum rolling for passage of HR508. Thank you. This is a binding resolution. HR 508 full text.
February 12, 2007
Dear [TPaine]:
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the occupation of Iraq. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this vitally important matter.
As a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I believe that the United States has the responsibility of setting an example for the rest of the world to follow. After more than three years of warfare, 3,000 American soldiers have given their lives for this misguided and illegitimate occupation. Yet, Iraq remains just as, if not more, unstable today as it was in May 2003, when the President declared an end to major combat operations. Sadly, despite this staggering loss of life, neither the U.S. nor Iraq have become safer from the threat of international terrorism. We need to face the fact that the situation in Iraq is not improving - nor will it improve as long as our troops remain there, because the presence of nearly 160,000 American soldiers on Iraqi soil is the main catalyst fueling Iraq's insurgency. It is clear that we cannot provide security to Iraqis in the middle of a civil war.
That's why I have introduced H.R. 508, the Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act, which will end the occupation of Iraq, while strengthening the Iraqi government and meeting the needs of our returning troops. This important piece of legislation will end our military operations in Iraq within six months of passing the bill, will ensure that security and stability in Iraq are achieved through diplomacy and the accelerated training of Iraqi security forces, and will guarantee physical and mental health care for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq. The people of Iraq must be able control their own affairs as Iraq transitions towards democracy. We can accomplish this by supporting the Iraqi people - not through our military - but through international cooperation to help rebuild Iraq's economic and physical infrastructure. Additionally, in the 109th Congress I introduced H.R. 5875, the War Powers Repeal Act of 2006. This bill would repeal Public Law 107-243, the legislation passed by Congress on October 11, 2002, which gave the President the authority to use force in Iraq and return the power back to Congress.
Also, you may be interested to know I recently held a fourth Congressional forum on the occupation of Iraq. This forum enabled Members of Congress and interested people to hear experts discuss possible strategies to bring our troops home from Iraq. You may be interested to know that you can view information regarding from this and other forums at http://www.woolsey.house.gov/... I hope this event will facilitate an ongoing public discussion about how to end the occupation, bring our troops home, and achieve real progress on Iraqi reconstruction and reconciliation. Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to fight in Congress for an end to the occupation of Iraq.
Again, it's good to hear from you. The people of Marin and Sonoma counties are the most important voices I listen to as I serve in Congress.
Sincerely,
Lynn Woolsey
Member of Congress