[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9839]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCING THE POST-DEPLOYMENT STRATEGY ACT OF 2011

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 22, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Post-Deployment Strategy Act of 2011, which would amend the War Powers 
Resolution to require the President to develop a post-deployment 
strategy when introducing our United States Armed Forces into combat 
operations.
  Going to war is one of the most important decisions a government can 
make. From the sheer magnitude of financial burden to the devastating 
effects of loss of life, war is among our nation's costliest 
undertaking. This is why it is crucial to develop a set of objectives 
and a clear plan of action prior to engaging in a conflict. Currently, 
the President is not required to have such a plan in place before 
sending our men and women in uniform into combat.
  Estimates put the direct and indirect cost of the Iraq War at a 
staggering $3 trillion, with over 4,000 American lives lost and over 
33,000 soldiers wounded. Our U.S. debt increased from $6.4 trillion in 
March 2003 to $10 trillion in the pre-financial crisis months of 2008, 
and the war in Iraq is directly responsible for at least a quarter of 
that sum. While there are many contrasting perspectives on U.S. 
involvement in Iraq, all can agree that having established a clear and 
informed plan for the country's occupation and stabilization prior to 
the invasion would have helped to decrease the loss of life, injuries 
as well as the wasteful use of resources.
  This legislation will require the President to submit a post-
deployment strategy to Congress not later than 48 hours after 
introducing our military into combat operations. This plan will 
articulate the interests of the United States, define the goals and 
objectives of the operation, and lay out a strategy for success.
  Establishing a clear and informed plan for a country's occupation 
prior to introducing Armed Forces will help better allocate resources, 
and decrease the loss of life and the cost of conflicts. It is crucial 
to have the tools and resources in place to ensure the stabilization of 
conflict areas, and the safe return of our troops. It is both 
unacceptable and irresponsible to send our loved ones to war without a 
long-term plan of action.
  Mr. Speaker, as instability escalates in the Middle East and with 
U.S. military operations in Libya underway, the need for a clear post-
deployment strategy is greater than ever. We owe our soldiers, their 
families, and the taxpayers clear justification for sending our Armed 
Forces into combat. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

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