Tom Harkin: Bush Administration's Report On Lack Of Progress In Iraq Underscores Need For Change

July 12, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement today regarding the Bush Administration’s release of a report stating that the Iraqi government has failed to meet any key political and economic benchmarks:

“The Bush Administration’s report today laying out the Iraq government’s failure to make the sacrifices necessary for political reconciliation clearly shows that the Administration’s current “stay the course” strategy is not working. It is unacceptable and irresponsible to continue to ask our brave men and women to put their lives on the line when the Iraqi government cannot do the most basic work necessary to bring their country together.

“The current situation in Iraq is dire – our troops are embedded in a civil war between factions who refuse to work together politically. Our military is stretched to the limit, with many troops being sent to Iraq again and again without adequate rest between deployments.

“Senate Democrats are working to set forth a new, smarter strategy that acknowledges the reality of this untenable situation and redeploys our troops. But we cannot do this alone. We need our Republican colleagues to work with us to forge a smarter path forward in Iraq.

“Unfortunately, Senate Republicans continue to obstruct our attempts to do this. This week, I joined Senate Democrats in fighting to protect our troops by co-sponsoring an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that requires active-duty troops receive as much time at home – recuperating and retraining – as they spend deployed in combat. For reasons that escape me, Senate Republicans filibustered and killed this proposal.

“The Democrats and the American people have made their choice – to chart a new direction. I sincerely hope that as my Republican colleagues read today’s report, they too will decide that they can no longer support the civil war in Iraq and will work with us to lay forth a smarter, more focused campaign against the terrorists who are a real threat to our country.”

Source: Senator Tom Harkin

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