I have long opposed the war in Iraq. From the onset, I felt there would be grave consequences should the United States unilaterally attack Iraq, without the backing of any international coalitions, without clear evidence that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and without the support of even our closest allies. On October 10, 2002, I
voted against authorizing the use of military force against Iraq
(P.L.
107-243).
9/10/07 - Larson Responds to
Petraeus Testimony on Iraq (Defense)
7/12/07 - Rep.
Larson Urges Republican Colleagues to Vote Their Conscience, Stand Up to the
President & Support Our Troops (Defense)
9/7/02
- More Preparation and Approvals Needed Before Going to War with Iraq
(Journal Inquirer)
9/12/02
- Statement of Congressman Larson in Reaction to President Bush’s Speech to
the United Nations (Defense)
10/9/02
- House Rules Committee to Allow Vote on Larson Alternative Resolution on
Iraq (Defense)
10/9/02
- Statement of Congressman Larson during House floor debate on H.J. Res. 114
(Defense)
10/11/02
- Congress Gives Bush War Powers
(Hartford Courant)
Doctrine of Preemption and Unilateralism
I have openly disagreed with the
Administration’s failed policies of preemption and unilateralism that have placed us in the quagmire we are currently experiencing in Iraq. The Bush Doctrine of preemption and unilateralism is a radical and unacceptable shift in U.S. foreign policy.
Read more
On
March 20, Congressman Larson
testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on legislation he
introduced to reverse the Bush Doctrine of preemption and unilateralism,
reestablish diplomacy and refocus our energy and resources on
Afghanistan. You can read a copy of the testimony here
and learn more about the bill here.
3/20/07
- Congressman Larson Testifies to Foreign Affairs Committee on Bill to
Address Situation in Iraq (Defense)
3/1/07
- Congressman John B. Larson Introduces Iraq Bill (Defense)
Iraq Funding
This ill conceived war has cost our nation over $400 billion and has left a footprint on our budget that our children’s children will pay for. I strongly believe any further funding for Iraq must require accountability for the Bush Administration and benchmarks for the Iraqis. Separating the war from the warriors, this Congress must maintain our commitment to the men and women serving in Iraq and also clearly demand responsibility from the President and the Iraqis.
5/1/07 -
Larson Statement on Bush Veto on Iraq Accountability Act (Defense)
4/25/07
- Rep. Larson: Bush’s Hubris and Arrogance Stand in the Way of Doing the
Right Thing (Defense)
3/23/07
- Rep. Larson: ‘Today We Voted to End the War’ (Defense)
3/16/07
- Congressman John B. Larson Statement on the 4th Anniversary of War in Iraq (Defense)
Protective Body Armor
In 2003, Penne Palifka of East Hartford shared at a public forum on Iraq that her son serving in Iraq had not been given the most effective body armor that American troops were supposed to have. Worried for her son’s safety, she used her own money to buy her son body armor.
Equipment shortages and delays by the Department of Defense jeopardize the safety of the troops. These brave men and women in our military deserve the best, most up-to-date protective gear. In response to parent’s and family members like Mrs. Palifka who spent their own money to buy adequate protective body armor for deployed troops, I introduced legislation (H.R. 3615) that would reimburse them. This bill established a program to reimburse members of the Armed Forces for the cost of body armor that they purchased for themselves or was purchased for them on their behalf.
This legislation was included in the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal year 2005
(H.R.
4200).
10/5/05
- Congressman Larson Announces DOD Release of Long-Awaited Reimbursement
Policy for Troop Body Armor (Defense)
8/16/05 -
Larson Demands Investigation Into Delays of Body Armor for U.S. Troops (Defense)
5/12/04
- Larson Amendment to Reimburse Troops, Families for Body Armor Purchases Passes
House Armed Services Committee (Defense)
11/24/03-
Larson Introduces Legislation to Reimburse Military Families and Troops for
Body Armor Purchases
(Defense)
Amnesty for Iraqi Insurgents
As the Iraqi Government moves forward with their reconciliation plan, it is vital that Congress send a clear and unequivocal message that United States opposes amnesty for those who have killed Americans.
Read more
7/26/06
- Larson: Iraqi Prime Minister Failed to Address America’s Concerns (Defense)
7/21/06
- Larson: U.S. Must Stand with Iraqi Prime Minister’s Opposition to
Insurgent Amnesty (Defense)
6/26/06
- Larson Urges President to Oppose Amnesty for Iraqi Insurgents (Defense)
6/26/06
- Larson Demands Vote on Iraq Amnesty Bill (Defense)
6/21/06
- Larson Opposes Amnesty for Iraqi Insurgents (Defense)
On June 21,
2006, Congressman Larson and
Congressman James Clyburn were joined by a number of colleagues to
introduce a resolution declaring that the United States opposes efforts
by the Government of Iraq to grant amnesty to persons known to have
attacked, kidnapped, wounded, or killed members of the Armed Forces or
American citizens. Speaking on behalf of the resolution were
then-House
Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Ike Skelton and Congressman Jack
Murtha.
Bills Cosponsored
H.Res.163 - Urging the collective judgment of both Congress and the President regarding the use of military force by the United States.
H.R.645 - Comprehensive Strategy for Iraq Act of 2007, a bill to provide for the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq, authorize assistance for Iraq, and for other purposes.
H.R.787 – Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, a bill to place a cap on the number of troops in Iraq and begin the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq
Op-eds
12/8/05
- Jack Murtha: America’s Conscience (Journal Inquirer)
11/6/05
- Military Mission Over: End the Occupation (Hartford Courant)
1/30/05
- Iraq is the Wolf We're Holding
By the Ears (Hartford Courant)
7/2/04
- Set A Date To End Occupation Of Iraq (Hartford Courant)
9/7/02
- More Preparation and Approvals Needed Before Going to War with Iraq
(Journal Inquirer)
Floor Statements
2/15/07
- Larson statement on H.Con.Res. 63
(Video)
7/19/05
- Larson speaks on House floor with members of the Iraq Watch to assess the
situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the global implications for national
security and the role of the United States in the world
10/9/02
- Statement of Congressman Larson during House floor debate on H.J. Res. 114
(Defense)
Additional
Information
2/5/03
- Secretary of State Colin Powell’s Remarks before the UN (White House)
Congressman
Larson has held many town hall forums across the First
Congressional District to hear citizens’ views on the war in Iraq and
answer their questions.
