Statement of

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL)

Supporting H.R. 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health,
and Iraq Accountability Act

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Kendrick B. Meek issued the following statement supporting H.R. 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act. The measure passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 218 to 212.

“The vote that took place in the House today was a vote of no confidence in President Bush’s open-ended commitment to pursuing a failed strategy in Iraq.

“This bill supports our troops in every way. It provides them with the equipment and the funds they need to do their jobs in Iraq. It requires the Department of Defense to adhere to its own readiness standards by requiring that, before American troops are sent into harm’s way, they have the equipment and training they need. The days of sending American troops into combat without proper training and armor are over.

“The bipartisan Iraq Study Group said last December that the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating. Even the Defense Department itself recognizes that Iraq is in a civil war. The American people and Democrats in Congress understand that, but House Republicans and President Bush still don’t get it.

“The Iraq war has crippled our military readiness, isolated our nation in the family of nations, cost thousands of lives, left tens of thousands wounded, and totaled over hundreds of billions of dollars.

“This bill both supports the troops and protects the American people. Our commitment to those goals will never be compromised, but keeping our troops in harm’s way cannot continue forever.

“For the first time since the war started, benchmarks for progress, and a timetable for a gradual troop withdrawal are now set.

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) represents the 17th Congressional District which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

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