[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 U.S. TROOP READINESS, VETERANS' HEALTH, AND IRAQ ACCOUNTABILITY ACT, 
                                  2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 23, 2007

  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I stand in opposition to H.R. 1591, 
a measure that would set dangerous and unprecedented timelines for U.S. 
troop withdrawal from Iraq.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  March 26, 2007--On Page E646 the following appeared: Mr. JORDAN. 
Mr. Speaker, I stand in opposition to H.R. 1591,
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: Mr. JORDAN of 
Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I stand in opposition to H.R. 1591,


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

  On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the United States of 
America, killing thousands of innocent people in a horrific fashion and 
forever changing America's role in the fight against global terrorism.
  Just days later, President Bush and leaders of this Congress together 
affirmed America's commitment to leading a global war on terrorism. Our 
goals are to bring those responsible for 9/11 to justice while working 
to prevent future acts of terrorism.
  Since then, the bravery of our troops, the courage of our leaders, 
and most importantly the vigilance of the American people have helped 
prevent further attacks on American soil.
  Our strategy of taking the fight to the terrorists is working. Our 
continued efforts in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi 
Freedom are making a real difference, both there and here at home. We 
are moving closer to the day when the Iraqi army and police force will 
be adequately prepared to take full control of their country.
  What day will they be prepared to do so? Our military commanders 
might have a good idea. Leaders of the Iraqi military might know. 
Neither have set a date certain--neither have published a time line for 
withdrawal, because they understand the danger in doing so.

  As a Member of Congress, I do not know the exact day this withdrawal 
should happen. In short, I believe it should be on the day when we have 
achieved our objective. As a Congressman, I expect continued, 
measurable progress toward that day--and, like every American, I hope 
that day is soon. But it is too early to tell what day that is; if 
telling emboldened our enemy and put our troops in harm's way, I 
wouldn't tell.
  Yet according to the measure before us today, a majority of my 
colleagues apparently believe they know the exact day. They've picked a 
day when--whether the job is finished or not--we will pack up and go 
home.
  This is bad public policy, it is bad military strategy, and it cuts 
the very legs out from under the soldiers who have so bravely fought 
the battles to keep America safe. The road to this day has been long, 
sometimes difficult, but largely successful. If we remain committed to 
leading the fight to keep the American people safe from terrorism, then 
we owe it to our military commanders to help them finish their job 
without arbitrary and capricious intervention from politicians.
  Mr. Speaker, the timelines for troop withdrawal are not the only bad 
idea in this legislation. Woven into a bill that is designed to fund 
our military is more than $20 billion in non-emergency spending on such 
items as peanut storage and spinach farmers.
  Millions of Americans wake up and go to work each morning to provide 
for their families and help make America a better place. As the saying 
goes, they work hard, play by the rules, and pay their taxes.
  These are the families I keep in mind each time I cast a vote on 
public policy.
  This measure contains hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars being 
diverted from national defense to pork-barrel spending to benefit the 
pet projects of certain interests.
  Like many Americans, I am outraged by the reports that Democrat 
leaders are promising this and additional pork-barrel spending in 
exchange for Democrat votes for this measure.
  Each of these dollars came from taxpayers, and taxpayers deserve 
better.
  Mr. Speaker, there are good things in this bill, like funding for our 
troops in battle, improved health care for our soldiers and veterans--
things I am proud to support.
  However, when weighing the good and bad in this measure, the pro-
family, pro-troop, pro-American vote is easy to identify. That vote, in 
this case, is ``no,'' and I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing 
the measure.

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