House Passes Legislation to Begin Redeployment of Troops Within 30 Days of Enactment

Washington, DC –  Last night, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4156, the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Act, by a vote of 218 – 203.  The bill requires the redeployment of American forces from Iraq to begin within 30 days of its enactment, with a goal of complete redeployment in one year.

Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) voted for the legislation.   Rep. Baca voted against the Iraq War in 2002 and asserted that it is long past time to set a new direction for American policy in Iraq.

“A change of course in Iraq is overdue.  This war has been going on for more than four and a half years,” said Rep. Baca.  “We are facing a genuine crisis in U.S. troop readiness and our ability to respond to new threats.  We must transition to a limited presence in Iraq to better protect American interests around the globe from terrorism and to restore the readiness of our forces.”

“The President’s strategy in Iraq has not worked,” continued Rep. Baca.  “This responsible bill requires the President to begin redeployment of our forces from Iraq, while also giving those troops in harm’s way the resources they need.”

President Bush has requested an additional $200 billion for the war in Iraq.  H.R. 4156 instead provides $50 billion to meet the immediate needs of our troops while also instituting a redeployment timeline and other critical directives aimed at transitioning our role in Iraq and bringing our troops home.  In addition to instituting a redeployment to begin within 30 days, H.R. 4156 also:

•    Prohibits deployment of U.S. troops to Iraq who are not fully trained and fully equipped;
•    Requires a transition in the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq from primarily combat to protection,       support to Iraqi security forces, and targeted counterterrorism operations; and
•    Includes an extension to all U.S. government agencies and personnel of the current prohibitions       in the Army Field Manual against torture. 

“With more than 3,850 U.S. troops dead, including 13 from my own Congressional District, more than 28,000 U.S. troops wounded, and more than $450 billion of taxpayer dollars appropriated, this war has already cost Americans too much,” commented Rep. Baca.  “And while the President refuses to sign bills to pay for schools and children’s health care, he continues to drive our nation further into debt with his war policies.  Enough is enough.”

Rep. Baca, is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966-68.

“As a veteran, I voted against this war in 2002 because no one could convince me why we needed to be there in the first place,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “We must bring our troops home as soon as possible to put an end to this situation and ensure the future security of America.”