[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 129 (Wednesday, November 15, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H8645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
              AMERICANS WANT A CHANGE IN STRATEGY IN IRAQ

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, last week the American people voiced their 
strong opposition to the handling of the war in Iraq. On the day after 
the election, it appeared that President Bush had finally gotten the 
message when he removed Secretary Rumsfeld, the man who bears a great 
deal of responsibility for the failed Iraq policy. However, there is 
now some doubt whether the President fully comprehended the magnitude 
of the quagmire his administration created and continues to defend.
  The situation in Iraq is getting worse, not better. October was the 
deadliest month for American troops in over 2 years, and they continue 
to play referee in a civil war between the Sunnis and the Shiites.
  It is clear after last week's election that the American people want 
a change in strategy. It is time for the Iraqi people to take control 
of their country and to stop the sectarian violence that has made it 
impossible to bring stability to that nation. American troops cannot do 
it for them. They have got to do it for themselves.
  Therefore, it is time to begin redeploying our troops out of Iraq so 
that we can better protect our Nation. The President's own intelligence 
agencies say the war in Iraq is making us less safe.
  When Democrats take control of Congress next year, we will advocate 
for a phased redeployment so we can better protect the homeland from 
terrorist attacks.

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