A Democrat Grows Some Courage

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI):

"The policy outlined by the President is being sold to the country as a plan to reduce our troop levels in Iraq, but it is quite the opposite.

“I would be more than willing to report out a supplemental meeting the President’s request if that request were made in support of a change in policy that would do three things.

Establish as a goal the end of U.S. involvement in combat operations by January of 2009.

Ensure that troops would have adequate time at home between deployments as outlined in the Murtha and Webb amendments.

Demonstrate a determination to engage in an intensive, broad scale diplomatic offensive involving other countries in the region.
“But this policy does not do that. It simply borrows almost $200 billion to give to the Departments of State, Defense, Energy, and Justice with no change in sight.

“As Chairman of the Appropriations Committee I have absolutely no intention of reporting out of Committee anytime in this session of Congress any such request that simply serves to continue the status quo.

“We need to stop pretending that this war doesn’t cost anything.

“This war will cost future generations billions of dollars in taxes that we are shoving off on them and it is devouring money that could be used to expand their educational opportunities, expand their job training possibilities, attack our long term energy problems and build stronger communities.