[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 114 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6622-H6623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of 
order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentlewoman from 
California is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, on May 1, 2003, under a banner displaying 
the words, ``Mission Accomplished,'' President George W. Bush stated, 
``Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.''

[[Page H6623]]

  In the summer of 2005, Vice President Cheney told Americans that the 
so-called insurgents of Iraq were in their last throes.
  Fast forward to the morning papers this week. The Washington Post, 
and I quote, ``Situation Called Dire in West Iraq; Anbar is Lost 
Politically, Marine Analyst Says.''
  The San Francisco Chronicle, quote, ``Police Discover 65 Bodies 
Across Iraq.''
  The New York Times, ``New Wave of Violence Flares Across Baghdad.''
  The BBC, ``Iran Offers Iraq Full Support.''
  On top of that, according to the Department of Defense, in September 
so far 23 of America's brave servicemembers died in this seemingly 
endless occupation. Throughout this occupation there have been 2,900 
coalition deaths. Almost 2,700 of those are Americans. An average of 
100 Iraqi civilians are dying each day.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time for a reality check. The so-called insurgents 
are not in their last throes. The mission is not accomplished, far from 
it.
  This administration, the President, the Vice President, Secretary 
Rumsfeld, and Secretary Rice, won't admit they have made a mistake. 
Instead of planning for withdrawal, which is supported, by the way, by 
the American people and the Iraqi public as well, this administration 
is wearing blinders and pressing on. They even have the very nerve to 
question the patriotism of anyone who dares to take off the rose-
colored glasses and speak the truth about the occupation of Iraq.
  What kind of America is that? Americans are asking, they are asking, 
are we safer than we were 5 years ago? They know the answer; the answer 
is no. They question why the President didn't dedicate serious efforts 
to the capture of Osama bin Laden. And they know when they ask, is he 
working on that, the answer is no. And they also ask whether the 
President has dedicated serious efforts to being a partner for peace in 
the Middle East, and the results that they see prove that the answer is 
no. Instead, private citizens are being wiretapped, torture runs 
rampant, and the administration plays politics with the tragic events 
of September 11.
  Is this the kind of America we want to pass on to our children? Is 
this the kind of America that will win us friends on the world stage? 
The answer, of course, is no. It is time for a reality check. It is 
time to support an alternative to these misguided policies.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
seriously consider whether our current policy is going in the right 
direction, because Congress has the power to change it. Congress has 
the power to make the much-needed changes. And one important change for 
Congress to make would be to resume our constitutional role and revoke 
the President's Iraq war powers. We could also insist on a plan, and we 
must insist on a plan, to bring our troops home. And it is time to give 
Iraq back to the Iraqi people. But, most of all, it is time to tell the 
President, no more.
  I urge my colleagues, stand up for our troops. Cosponsor my bill, 
H.R. 5875, the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act, because, Mr. Speaker, enough 
is enough. It is time to bring our troops home.

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