Dear Friend:

As Congress prepared to adjourn for the Thanksgiving District Work period, the Republican leadership scrapped the announced schedule and added a new vote to the schedule.

This vote forced me to stay in Washington and miss my November 19th town meetings. I sincerely apologize for not being there. My staff conducted the meetings in my absence and I’ll respond to people’s written questions as quickly as possible.

Congress remained in session late into the night; not to conduct important business for our nation, but to consider a hastily drafted, simplistic resolution designed to skirt substantive debate on the Iraq War.

Two weeks ago, Congressman John Murtha from Pennsylvania introduced a resolution calling on the United States to withdraw our forces from Iraq as soon as practicable. He also included provisions for the safety of our troops and standby “staging” areas to assist in any future international peace monitoring. In introducing this legislation, Rep. Murtha made clear that he believes that the US has become the enemy in Iraq and our continued presence is counter-productive to peace. I agree with my colleague and cosponsored his resolution.

Congressman Murtha is a Democrat with impeccable military credentials and record. He received two Purple Hearts in Vietnam and spent 37 years as a Marine. He is the top Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and is an avid proponent of increased military spending. In fact, he works closely with Republicans to increase those spending levels and promote new defense systems.

Rep. Murtha’s resolution struck a chord with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. When a proponent of our military says it is time to pull out of Iraq, they know that argument has legs.

Congressman Murtha’s knowledgeable and respected voice joins the loud and clear pleas of the Out of Iraq Caucus – of which I am a proud member. His voice joins former generals, intelligence officers, Presidents, and mothers and fathers across America who know that we are mired in a war that cannot be “won” and to truly honor our troops, we need to bring them home.

The Republican leadership refused to bring Mr. Murtha’s resolution to a vote. Instead, a different resolution was offered. Their resolution was a simplistic design for failure: just “pull out now.” It contained no provisions for diplomacy or contingencies for troop safety; much like the plan for the Administration’s rush to war.

It was a shameful day for Congress. At a time when we should have been finishing the business of this country, the Republican Leadership of the House of Representatives chose to avoid debating an issue that demands honest consideration.

The War in Iraq has created a breeding ground for hate against America. It has cost this country nearly $300 billion and the lives of more than 2,000 U.S. soldiers - not to mention more than 15,000 wounded American soldiers whose lives have been forever impaired. We have not eliminated Al Qaeda, increased the security of the Iraqi people – more than 25,000 of whom have been killed since 2003 – nor increased our security here at home.

Rep. Murtha is right. I agree with him and I think more and more Americans do as well. It is time to end this quagmire in Iraq and bring our troops home – and do so now.

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