Iraq

This is a challenging time for our Nation. Our thoughts and prayers are with our men and women of the Armed Forces. There are also voices of dissent across the land. What makes this country great is that all voices can be heard.

As a father and husband, I want to assure you that the safety and security of our families is at the forefront of my mind. I am proud of our men and women in uniform. I have the highest confidence that our military will prevail. I pray for the lowest possible level of casualties among our troops and Iraqi civilians.

Like the vast majority of Americans, I would have preferred successful diplomacy to military action, and for broader international support of any military option. I had hoped that we could have accomplished the disarming of Saddam Hussein through peaceful means and that war would be avoided. Before the war started, I said that we must think through the consequences of our actions and be prepared for a long, difficult road. That road now lies before us.

Winning the war is only one part of the equation. Rebuilding Iraq will be critical to winning peace in the region. But rebuilding Iraq must not come at the expense of rebuilding our own economy and providing hope and opportunity to the many American families who are struggling.

With the President’s Supplemental Appropriations bill now before the Congress, I am committed to working for a budget that shows the same compassion and commitment to the well-being of American families and communities that this Administration has planned for Iraq. It is for this reason that I have submitted the American Parity Amendment, which seeks to balance the investment in rebuilding Iraq with the investment we need in domestic priorities like education, health care, economic growth and homeland security.

Whatever our backgrounds, concerns, politics or beliefs, let us join together as Americans during this challenging time in our shared hope for a swift end to this conflict.