Legislation provides $50 billion to meet immediate needs of U.S. Armed Forces
U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords voted tonight to redeploy most American troops from Iraq by the end of 2008 and provide funding for the immediate needs of our Armed Forces.
"Congress is taking a clear stand," the Tucson lawmaker said. "President Bush’s failed war policies need to end. Our Armed Forces are stretched too thin, weakening our ability to respond to threats around the globe. It is time to redeploy our troops and develop a targeted military strategy against international terrorism. Stability will only emerge in Iraq when there is political reconciliation among sectarian groups."
H.R. 4156, The Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act, passed the House of the Representatives late tonight in a 218 to 203 vote.
"The American people demand a new direction in Iraq," said Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. "This legislation achieves that."
The act’s key provisions include:
Requiring the immediate and orderly redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq within 30 days of enactment;
Setting a goal of Dec. 15, 2008 for the completion of the redeployment;
Prohibiting the deployment of U.S. troops to Iraq who are not fully trained and equipped;
Requiring a transition in the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq from active combat to limited support of Iraqi security forces and targeted counterterrorism measures; and
Providing $50 billion to meet the needs of our troops, but defers consideration of the president’s request of nearly $200 billion for the war.
Tonight’s vote is the sixth Giffords has taken this year in support of a new direction in Iraq. It took place after she hosted a one-hour telephone "town hall" with constituents and retired Army Lt. Gen. William Odom, a former director of the National Security Agency and an outspoken critic of the war. More than 2,000 constituents joined Giffords and Odom to discuss the war in Iraq and this evening’s vote.
"I am committed to repairing the readiness of our military and refocusing our efforts to fighting terrorism," Giffords said.