Pence Opposes Iraq Withdrawal Bill
"We must find a way to forge an agreement to achieve success in Iraq. Defeat and an American failure in Iraq is not an option.”
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Ranking Member on the Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee, spoke during debate on the House floor opposing the Democrat Iraq withdrawal bill being considered on the House floor today:
"We have come to this floor today, it seems to me, in an important moment in the life of two nations. We've come to this floor at a time when our colleagues in the other body are debating a defense authorization bill and will be considering amendments about a new course in Iraq.
"I do not question the decision of the majority in this chamber to consider these same issues, particularly in light of the release of the Initial Benchmark Assessment Report by our military and diplomatic leadership in Iraq. It is a report that I must confess is to me frustrating, as it is to members I think on both sides of this aisle.
"Of 18 benchmarks included in the interim report to Congress, progress on eight of the benchmarks have been characterized as satisfactory. Progress on another eight are unsatisfactory, with it being too early to tell on another two.
"Two months from now the Crocker-Petraeus report that Congress has been promised will provide, we believe, a broader assessment. But frankly, I am struggling, as a strong supporter of our effort in Iraq, with the failure of this Iraqi government to step forward with the kind of progress that will be necessary for success-enacting legislation like debathification reform, hydrocarbon resources reform, the scheduling of and planning for provincial elections.
"I want to be transparent about that frustration as much as I was when I met with Iraqi cabinet officials just two months ago. The Iraqi government must do more. And if there is any unintended benefit of this debate today my hope is that some of this debate with that message would echo to those people.
"But that being said, I will oppose this measure because I truly believe that defeat and an American failure in Iraq is not an option that we can consider. I truly believe that, with great respect to my colleagues who would endorse this proposal for a precipitous American withdrawal from Iraq by April 1 of next year, that I truly believe that before we make any decision adjusting our strategy on the ground, we ought to wait to hear from those Americans on the ground in Iraq who have been charged with implementing the strategy the President put into effect in January.
"But I want to reiterate: as the President said in January, our commitment to this Iraqi government is not open-ended. But my commitment to an American and Iraqi success is deep and heartfelt. Whether this Iraqi government can rise to that challenge or not, we must find a way, as the gentleman from Indiana in the other body said, we must find a way to forge agreement to achieve success in Iraq."
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