November 16, 2005
“Congressman Murtha’s statement represents a crucial tipping point. He gives a very important and credible voice to the growing majority of Americans who recognize that the military occupation of Iraq is undermining our security and needs to end immediately.
“It is impossible to overstate the significance of the fact that a decorated veteran who, for years, Democrats and Republicans alike have turned to on defense issues has stated that we can accomplish no more militarily in Iraq and that it is time to bring our troops home.
“His call for the withdrawal of US troops for Iraq is another indication that Congress is catching up with the majority of American people.
“As someone who opposed the war from the beginning and offered an alternative to the use of force resolution, I hope that Congressman Murtha’s statement will help spur a long overdue debate in Congress about the immediate future of our policy in Iraq”.
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Barbara Lee Responds to Rep. Murtha’s Call for Iraq Withdrawal
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to Ranking Member on the Defense Appropriations Committee, Jack Murtha’s (D-PA) speech today calling for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq:“Congressman Murtha’s statement represents a crucial tipping point. He gives a very important and credible voice to the growing majority of Americans who recognize that the military occupation of Iraq is undermining our security and needs to end immediately.
“It is impossible to overstate the significance of the fact that a decorated veteran who, for years, Democrats and Republicans alike have turned to on defense issues has stated that we can accomplish no more militarily in Iraq and that it is time to bring our troops home.
“His call for the withdrawal of US troops for Iraq is another indication that Congress is catching up with the majority of American people.
“As someone who opposed the war from the beginning and offered an alternative to the use of force resolution, I hope that Congressman Murtha’s statement will help spur a long overdue debate in Congress about the immediate future of our policy in Iraq”.