[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 153 (Thursday, November 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13070-S13071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, the Committee on Armed Services has been 
working very conscientiously, as we should--and, indeed, all Senators 
should--on the question of the IEDs in Iraq and in Afghanistan.
  Yesterday, our committee invited over from the War College 10 young 
officers, each of them having commanded a battalion of U.S. Army, U.S. 
Marines, and, in some instances, some Navy as the Navy is taking a very 
significant role in the ground operations in Iraq.
  I have had the privilege of being associated with men and women of 
the U.S. military for many years, but I never saw 10 finer individuals. 
I sat in awe of how they, in a very confident and calm and professional 
manner, recounted their experiences over the last 18 months--different 
periods of time, ranging from 6 to 12 months--when they had command of 
the most magnificent troops, the most magnificent, dedicated military 
we have had in the contemporary history of America.
  We owe those troops a high debt of gratitude. No matter what our 
political affiliation is, no matter what our philosophical approach is, 
we owe them and their families a tremendous debt of gratitude. I think 
that was expressed by this body when 98 to 0 we passed the

[[Page S13071]]

annual Armed Forces authorization bill. There was not one single 
dissenting voice. I went back and searched the Record. Indeed, during 
the Vietnam period when I was in the Pentagon, there was always a cadre 
that would vote against it. But I think it was a recognition in this 
Chamber--and I salute each Member of the Senate who voted for that bill 
and expressed on behalf of the men and women of the Armed Forces our 
gratitude.
  But much more remains to be done. In the judgment of this Senator--I 
am just speaking for myself--I believe the next 4 to 6 months is 
absolutely the most critical period of this conflict in Iraq. How and 
why we got into that conflict is debated. It has been taking place, but 
I urge colleagues to look forward to the future to see how we can best 
support our forces as each one of the volunteers fulfills the orders of 
the Commander in Chief and carries out the mission.
  During the course of the deliberation of our bill, the distinguished 
Senator from Connecticut, a member of the Armed Services Committee, Mr. 
Lieberman, gave an eloquent speech regarding that classic statement at 
the conclusion of World War II by Arthur Vandenberg: ``Politics should 
be checked at the water's edge.''
  I say to my colleagues with great respect for all, now is the time. 
The next 60, 90, 120, 180 days is most critical. I urge us to put aside 
our political differences, put aside our philosophical differences, and 
look forward and seize the opportunity to support the Iraqis in their 
forthcoming elections on the 15th of December and the formation of that 
government in the ensuing 30 days thereafter.
  We should be very strong in our efforts to impress upon this new 
government the urgency of time and the need to show a greater measure 
of strength and determination than ever before by the various 
transitional governments that have preceded this government. Now is the 
time for the Iraqi people and their new government to show 
determination, quadruple their efforts in forming their new ministries, 
standing them up so they can assume the full burden of that measure of 
democracy and freedom that they elect to have among themselves, and to 
rapidly try to bring this insurgency to a conclusion.
  The ground situation as it develops in the ensuing months dictates 
any thoughts of how and when our forces can be deemed to have completed 
their mission and begin the return home.
  Just days ago, this Chamber rejected an attempt again to set a 
timetable. We set no timetable. We are there in this critical period of 
the next 6 months to support the Iraqi people, to support this new 
government, but in return they must give us a full measure of support 
and equal effort to achieve these goals.
  If I may return to the subject of the IEDs which was a principal part 
of our discussion yesterday, I will be consulting with Members, but I 
believe the Department of Defense has to redouble its efforts to deal 
with this difficult situation of the IEDs. Each of these officers 
recounted the number of casualties they experienced in their units. 
This great Nation shows the magnificent compassion for the families of 
not only those who lost their lives but lost their limbs, and we are 
deeply indebted to them. We owe them no less than our full measure of 
support here at home.
  Let us check politics at the water's edge.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Alaska.

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