(Washington, D.C.): -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) today released the following statement:

“Today I submitted my name as a cosponsor of a resolution introduced by Congressman John ‘Jack’ Murtha (D-Pa.), the Ranking Democratic Member on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, a decorated Vietnam veteran who is widely-respected expert on military issues, which calls for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq to begin immediately.

“The resolution also calls for the redeployment of US troops, consistent with the safety of U.S. forces around the globe, the creation of a quick reaction force in the Iraq region, the creation of an “over-the-horizon” presence of Marines, and the continued diplomatic pursuit of security and stability in Iraq.

“To this point, more than $277 billion has been appropriated, and over 17,000 U.S. troops have been killed or wounded in Iraq to go after a guy who did not attack us – Saddam Hussein – while the guy who did attack us – Osama bin Laden – is still alive, free, and planning another attack on our nation and its people. That constitutes a colossal failure on the part of this Administration.

“As Jack Murtha said today, our men and women in uniform have done everything that has been asked of them, and there is nothing more that can be accomplished in Iraq militarily. For this reason, and others, I join Congressman Murtha today in calling for our troops to come home.

“Let me again emphasize how proud I am of all the members of the Armed Forces of the United States. They continue to put their lives on the line, every day, in order to protect and promote the interests of our great country. They have always had my strong support – and they always will.

“General Casey has acknowledged that our very presence in Iraq is now fueling the insurgency, and the evidence clearly supports that. Last year at this time there were 150 incidents per week. Now there are 700. Furthermore, recent polls show that 80 percent of the Iraqi people want U.S. forces out of Iraq, and that 45 percent say that attacks on our troops are justified. How could we possibly ask our troops to stay in such a situation indefinitely?

“We must turn Iraq over to the Iraqis, and we must do it now.”

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