WASHINGTON, DC-  Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay blasted a Republican resolution supporting the open-ended U.S. occupation of Iraq, which was debated in the House of Representatives today. In rejecting the majority resolution, Mr. Clay strongly endorsed a strategic redeployment of U.S. forces in Iraq, as proposed by Congressman John Murtha (D) Pennsylvania.  “This tragic, misguided war is a bloody, violent quagmire that has intensified instability in the Middle East and has left this nation less able to protect our own national interests,” said Clay. 

The Congressman rejected Republican claims that the war has made America safer. “The Taliban are mounting a major comeback in Afghanistan.  Iran is on the verge of producing a nuclear weapon.  Somalia is dominated by an Al-Queda-inspired militia. And here at home, the fundamental recommendations of the 911 Commission have still not been implemented,” said Clay.  “This war has made us more vulnerable to terrorism and our national security is still at risk.” Mr. Clay strongly opposed the original force authorization to invade Iraq in 2003. 

The Congressman strongly endorsed the resolution proposing a strategic redeployment in Iraq that was offered earlier this year by Congressman John Murtha (D) Pennslyvania.  “I commend my courageous colleague, Mr. Murtha.  I support his call to implement a strategic redeployment from Iraq and I implore my colleagues to have the good sense to listen to the American people and to support the call to redeploy our troops,” said Mr. Clay.