Congresswoman Matsui's Statement on Iraq Supplemental Conference Report
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui issued the following statement today regarding House floor consideration of the conference report for the fiscal year 2007 emergency war supplemental:
“The House is soon expected to vote to put a timetable for the redeployment of troops from Iraq on the President’s desk. Such pressure for a change of direction would be a historic step.
“I opposed the Iraq war from the beginning, and I believe we must bring our troops home soon and in a responsible way along a binding timetable. Nonetheless, the leadership decision facing the Congress is over how we bring about this change in the most effective way. I have full confidence that the House leadership continues to push for the most aggressive approach that can obtain the necessary votes to become law.
“Today’s conference agreement fully funds the needs of the brave men and women in uniform who have done everything we have asked of them. Just as importantly, it pressures the President to accept a change of direction. The agreement would begin redeploying our troops from Iraq as early as July 1st of this year, which is critical to our overstretched military personnel.
“Ultimately, I believe that Congress faces a choice between the legislation working its way through Congress – whatever its flaws – and the President’s status quo, which envisions a war without end. For me, trusting the President is not an option, so my vote in favor of this bill represents the best option for getting our troops out of Iraq as quickly as possible.”
