WASHINGTON- Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) joined Democratic Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sponsoring a binding resolution that would express Congress’ opposition to any plan to allow the Iraqi government to grant amnesty to individuals who attacked, maimed or killed American troops.

“Granting any type of amnesty to terrorists who attack, maim, injure or kill our troops or American citizens cannot be condoned by the U.S. government,” Stupak said.   “The same week that two of our troops are found tortured and murdered, are we going to provide their murderers with amnesty?”

The legislation comes on the heels of recent media reports that the Iraqi government has reached an understanding with the U.S. for granting amnesty for Iraqis who have attacked U.S. troops. Last week, the Washington Post quoted Iraqi government officials as saying, “There’s some sort of understanding between us and the UNF-I [The US-led Multi-National Force-Iraq] that there is a patriotic feeling among the Iraqi youth and the belief that those attacks [on U.S. military personnel] are legitimate acts of resistance and defending their homeland. These people will be pardoned definitely, I believe.”

“I want to know what the President knew about the amnesty program and when he knew it,” said Stupak.  “Who gave the Iraqi government the ‘understanding’ that the U.S. government would acquiesce to a policy that says it is O.K. to shed the blood of American soldiers and citizens in Iraq?”

“Who in the hell lead the Iraqis to believe that amnesty was acceptable to the U.S. government?”  Stupak asked.  “Is the Commander in Chief going to order troops into war and then give their killers amnesty in this civil war?”

Stupak said that amnesty proposals would send the wrong message to Iraqis and to American troops.  By promising amnesty, the legislation could encourage additional attacks on Americans and would demoralize American troops serving in Iraq.  

Last week, when the House of Representatives debated a Republican resolution on the Iraqi war, Stupak raised the amnesty issue on the floor.  Stupak voted against the Republican resolution, arguing that the resolution implicitly supported an amnesty program.

“If you vote ‘yes’ on this Resolution, you are supporting the Iraqi government’s belief that it is “ok” to give Iraqi’s amnesty for attacking and killing U.S. troops,” Stupak said during the floor debate.

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