In 2002, Congressman Dingell opposed the use of force resolution that authorized the war in Iraq. He felt that the President did not make an adequate case for war and was unprepared for the invasion’s aftermath. Congressman Dingell did not believe that the President made a persuasive case that Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction or that he was on the verge to giving them to terrorists. He did not believe that Iraq was the central front in the War on Terror. And Congressman Dingell did not think that this Administration had a plan to rebuild the country after the war. Tragically, he was proven correct on all of these points. Read a letter he wrote to President Bush prior to the authorization vote outlining his concerns.

During the 110th Congress, Congressman Dingell has repeatedly voted with the Democratic leadership of the House of Representatives to make further war funds conditional upon the Bush Administration coming up with a plan to end the war and begin withdrawing the troops. Unfortunately, this legislation was either vetoed by the President or filibustered by the Republican minority in the Senate.

Congressman Dingell believes that it is inappropriate for President Bush to force the next President to come up with a long term strategy for successfully ending a war started on Bush’s watch. In order to force President Bush to take responsibility for the War in Iraq, Congressman Dingell introduced legislation that would require the President to begin a troop withdrawal from Iraq within thirty days, and to complete that withdrawal by January 20, 2009. It would require the President to implement the findings of the Iraq Study Group, assist with the rebuilding and reconstruction of Iraq, engage in vigorous diplomacy to enlist the assistance of other regional and global actors in these efforts, and provide humanitarian assistance to millions of Iraq refugees that have been displaced by sectarian violence. H.R. 3938 would allow the United States to safely and responsibly begin bringing our troops home from Iraq, while at the same time allow us to fulfill our responsibilities to the Iraqi people.

Congressman Dingell is also greatly troubled by President Bush’s mishandling of the humanitarian crisis that his Iraq War has created. Iraqis are now one of the largest displaced population in the world and the fastest-growing refugee population globally. More than two million refugees have fled to neighboring countries such as Jordan and Syria, causing serious resource and security challenges for these countries. An additional 2.5 million Iraqis have been internally displaced, having fled their homes due to the ongoing threat of sectarian violence. Congressman Dingell believes that our government has a moral responsibility to provide leadership for this expanding humanitarian crisis. He has called upon the Bush Administration to increase funding for Iraqi refugees and those internally displaced within Iraq.

Congressman Dingell has been an advocate for refocusing on our mission in Afghanistan. President Bush has unfortunately neglected our efforts in that nation to shore up their democracy, defeat the Taliban insurgents, and root out opium cultivation. Afghanistan is at a delicate point in its history and without the sustained commitment of America and our allies it could revert to hopelessness and warfare.

Our soldiers and their families have paid an enormous cost during these long conflicts, and they have performed admirably. Unfortunately they were let down by the civilian leadership in this Administration. Congressman Dingell believes strongly that the United States must do a better job of honoring our veterans. Read more about Congressman Dingell’s work for veterans.