July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9317 As you chart the course of this great na- generations of scientists and farmers am honored to have been able to co- tion for the future benefit of our children, to innovate and lift those mired in pov- sponsor this award for Dr. Borlaug. grand-children, and great-grandchildren, I erty. f ask you to think more boldly and humanely As a fellow Iowan said, ‘‘If you never about the Third World and develop a new stick your neck out, you’ll never get RECESS version of the Marshall plan, this time not to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- rescue a war-torn Europe, but now to help your head above the crowd.’’ the nearly one billion, mostly rural poor peo- Dr. Borlaug stuck his neck out and ate stands in recess under the previous ple still trapped in hunger and misery. It is became a hero and a legend. order. within America’s technical and financial He deserves every bit of recognition Thereupon, at 1:15 p.m., the Senate power to help end this human tragedy and and gratitude we can find to offer him. recessed until 2:15 p.m. and reassem- injustice, if we set our hearts and minds to Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask bled when called to order by the Pre- the task. my colleagues to join me today in hon- siding Officer (Mr. CASEY). Mr. HARKIN. I yield the floor. oring Dr. Norman Borlaug of Dallas, f Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, ear- TX. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- lier today in the Capitol Rotunda we Today, Dr. Borlaug receives the Con- TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR honored Dr. Norman Borlaug with the gressional Gold Medal—the Nation’s 2008—Continued Congressional Gold Medal. This is the highest civilian decoration. highest expression of national appre- Dr. Borlaug’s service to the world’s AMENDMENT NO. 2100 ciation. hungry was cultivated on his boyhood The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under At least two-thirds of Federal law- farm in Iowa where he learned the the previous order, there will now be 30 makers must sign on to support a value of hard work. He sharpened his minutes of debate equally divided on nominee before his or her nomination knowledge of agriculture and science amendment No. 2100 offered by the Sen- is allowed to advance through Commit- at the University of Minnesota and ator from Texas, Mr. CORNYN. The Senator from Texas is recog- tees in the House and Senate. Previous later applied his farm and classroom recipients include distinguished public nized. experiences to researching and devel- Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I yield servants, military heroes, humani- oping high-yield wheat varieties in myself 10 minutes. tarians, entertainers, musicians, au- Mexico that thrived in arid conditions. I rise to discuss my amendment thors, athletes, religious leaders and Under his leadership, these innovative which lays out the consequences of a pioneers in the fields of medicine, crops were introduced into India, Paki- failed state in Iraq. As every parent of science, and aeronautics including our stan, and later Africa, having since fed a teenager knows, one of the things Nation’s first President, George Wash- the hungry in astonishing numbers. you have to impress upon your teen- ington. Never allowing himself to become ager is the consequences of their ac- Many of you know that I farm in satisfied with the status quo, Dr. tions. I think we need to have an adult Iowa with my son Robin. Borlaug continued his humanitarian ef- conversation and talk about the con- Those of us farming take satisfaction forts, paving the way for other sci- sequences of our actions in Iraq. in feeding people through our labors. entists to fight hunger and to feed the The one thing we all agree on is that Through his labors, Dr. Borlaug has world’s increasing population. Dr. we want to bring our troops home. We been able to feed many more people Borlaug created the annual World Food want to bring them home as soon as we that Robin and I will ever be able to, Prize to recognize and reward those can. The line of division between us even if we worked day and night. who advance human development by seems to be between those who want to He has spared more people from the improving the quality, quantity, and do so based upon an arbitrary political sharp hunger pains that strike an availability of food in the world. timetable and those who want to do so empty stomach than anyone of us Each fall semester, Dr. Borlaug re- based on conditions on the ground. So could ever dream of doing. turns to Texas A&M University to I think it is important to have—as any He has saved more lives than any teach those who would follow in his adult would say to their child—a con- other person in history. footsteps and continue to innovate. In versation about the consequences of An extraordinary man, with a bril- his role as distinguished professor of your actions because I think these are liant vision, and the common sense to international agriculture in the De- the birds that are going to come home turn his dreams into a reality—that’s partment of Soil & Crop Sciences, as- to roost should the Levin amendment Norm Borlaug. piring Aggie students have the oppor- be adopted. I am grateful, but not surprised, that tunity to witness hard-working benevo- As we know from the Iraq Study it didn’t take long for Congress to ad- lence and learn from one of mankind’s Group as well as the National Intel- vance the legislation giving Dr. greatest and most humble benefactors. ligence Estimate, the consequences of Borlaug this award. There are many lessons we can learn a failed state in Iraq are numerous, but A few years ago, I spoke with Dr. from Dr. Borlaug’s service. This man they are significant and highly dan- Borlaug just outside the Senate Cham- saw a need and applied his education to gerous to the United States. ber. the realities of poverty and hunger. He First of all, Iraq would become a safe It was overwhelming just how many chose to put his hands in the soil and haven for Islamic radicals, including Senators came off the Senate floor to work to make a vision become reality. al-Qaida and Hezbollah, who are deter- shake hands with him. Dr. Borlaug reminds us that a single mined to attack the United States and I was glad to be able to claim Dr. individual with the knowledge and U.S. allies. The Iraq Study Group found Borlaug as a native Iowan who has be- courage to make a difference can in- that a chaotic Iraq would provide a come a true citizen of the world—from deed change the world. still stronger base of operation for ter- a boyhood on a farm in northeast The Congressional Gold Medal is the rorists who seek to act regionally or Iowa—a one-room schoolhouse—to a most recent addition to a long list of even globally. That is not me talking; PhD in plant pathology, to decades in accolades that Dr. Borlaug has earned that is the Iraq Study Group. The Iraq the poorest areas of rural Mexico, and throughout his lifetime, including the Study Group also noted that al-Qaida a life of scientific breakthroughs to 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his innova- will portray any failure by the United ease malnutrition and famine all over tive work in agriculture. It has been States in Iraq as a significant victory the world. His work in biotechnology suggested that Dr. Borlaug’s humani- that will be featured prominently as has vastly improved food security for tarian efforts have saved the lives of they recruit for their cause in the re- countries including India, Pakistan, perhaps one billion of the world’s hun- gion and around the world. and Mexico. This humanitarian hero gry, and through his ongoing legacy of The National Intelligence Estimate has been instrumental in seeking social leadership his work will feed many presented by the intelligence commu- justice and promoting peace around the more. nity, which consists of the best and the world. We join in gratitude for his con- brightest America has to offer, con- Far from resting on his laurels, Dr. sistent dedication in applying the agri- cluded that the consequences of a pre- Borlaug continues to inspire future cultural sciences to benefit so many. I mature withdrawal from Iraq would be

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Is that what we outside of Iraq, neighboring countries sense of the Senate on the con- bargained for when President Bush said would consider actively intervening in sequences of a failed state in Iraq. we had to rid ourselves of Saddam Hus- Iraq, and sectarian violence would sig- Finally, I would say this is an impor- sein and weapons of mass destruction? nificantly increase in Iraq, accom- tant part of the overall debate where The Senator from Texas makes the panied by massive civilian casualties we talk about not only what our pre- argument that if we leave, things could and displacement. The Iraq Study ferred policy is but what the con- get worse. It is possible. But I will tell Group found that a premature Amer- sequences of a failure would be. I think you this: Stabilization will occur on ican withdrawal from Iraq would al- part of a responsible adult debate is Iraqi terms whenever the American most certainly produce greater sec- talking about what the consequences military departs, and it is likely to be tarian violence and further deteriora- would be as we commit ourselves to chaotic. We have to acknowledge that. tion of conditions. The near-term re- take no action that would lend an in- Whether we leave in 10 months or 10 sults would be a significant power vac- creased likelihood to that failed state. years, the Iraqis have to decide their uum, greater human suffering, regional Mr. President, I yield the floor and own future. destabilization, and a threat to the reserve the remainder of my time. The elements of the Levin-Reed global economy. Al-Qaida would depict The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- amendment which the Senator from our withdrawal as a historic victory, ator from Illinois is recognized. Texas does not acknowledge are abso- much as they did when the Soviet Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask lutely essential. He will find, when he Union was run out of Afghanistan. that the Chair notify me when I have reads the Levin-Reed amendment, on A failed state in Iraq could lead to a spoken for 5 minutes. page 3, paragraph 3, we will still have broader regional conflict involving The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- troops engaged in targeted counterter- Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. ator will be so notified. rorism operations against al-Qaida and The Iraq Study Group noted that Tur- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I thank al-Qaida-affiliated organizations and key could send troops into northern the Senator from Texas for explaining other international terrorist organiza- Iraq to prevent Kurdistan from declar- his amendment. But when I hear him tions. describe the Levin-Reed amendment, I ing independence. The Iraq Study The Senator from Texas suggests am afraid I don’t recognize it because, Group noted that Iran could send that we will leave and walk away from unfortunately, the Senator from Texas troops to restore stability to southern the scene and hope for the best. That is has failed to include some of the most Iraq and perhaps gain control of oil- not true. Under Levin-Reed, we will important elements of this Levin-Reed fields. The regional influence of Iran continue to fight al-Qaida, the fight amendment. could arise at a time when that coun- which we should have been dedicated to try is on a path to producing a nuclear This is the only amendment the Sen- ate will consider during debate on this from 9/11 forward and a fight which by weapon, as we know they are all about. this time should have brought us A failed state in Iraq would lead to bill which will change the policy of the war in Iraq. It is the only amendment Osama bin Laden and his major lieu- massive humanitarian suffering. I tenants. know we are all concerned about what which establishes a timetable to bring Secondly, the argument made by the we see as the genocide in the Darfur re- this war to a responsible end. It is the Senator from Texas is that the Levin- gion of Sudan, but those of us who are only amendment which in law will re- Reed amendment is going to lead to a concerned about that huge humani- quire American troops to start to come broader regional conflict as American tarian crisis there must also be con- home, the Levin-Reed amendment. troops start to come home. I rec- cerned about the humanitarian crisis The amendment offered by the Sen- ommend for reading by the Senator in Iraq should we prematurely with- ator from Texas is a sense-of-the-Sen- from Texas page 2 of the amendment, drawal our troops and that country de- ate resolution. A sense-of-the-Senate which goes into graphic detail about scend into massive ethnic cleansing resolution is done on a regular basis on our hope that as we start to withdraw, and genocide and massive dislocation the floor of the Senate. It does not as our troops start to withdraw from of refugees to other areas of the Middle have the power and impact of law. It is Iraq, we will initiate a comprehensive, East. an observation made by the Senate. A recent editorial in the New York That is all. It is not binding on the diplomatic, political, and economic Times said Americans must be clear President. It won’t change the policy. strategy that includes sustained en- that Iraq and the region around it There is no suggestion that it even gagement with Iraq’s neighbors and the could be even bloodier and more cha- could. international community for working otic after Americans leave. There could What the Senator from Texas brings out collective stability in that coun- be reprisals against those who work to us is the possibility that things try. with American forces, further ethnic could get worse in Iraq than they are I would say to my friend from Texas, cleansing, and even genocide. Poten- today, and that is a possibility. But what he has suggested as part and par- tially destabilizing refugee flows could let’s be very honest about the state of cel of the result of Levin-Reed is al- hit Jordan, Syria, and Iran and Turkey Iraq today. It is a nation in chaos. It is ready taken care of. We want to start could be tempted to make a power a nation that is engulfed by its own bringing American troops home. Los- grab. The Iraq Study Group found that civil war. It is struggling to decide ing 100 American soldiers every month, if we leave and Iraq descends into which faction within its nation will 1,000 seriously wounded, $12 billion in chaos, the long-range consequences govern. Frankkly, some question taxpayers’ money, put into a situation could eventually require the United whether it will be a nation. I think the which is nothing short of a civil war, is States to return. Kurds, for example, given their way, unacceptable. My amendment commits the Senate would be independent of Iraq as we The future of Iraq is in the hands of to take no action that would lead to a know it today. This struggle to define the Iraqis. They have to stand up and failed state in Iraq that would invari- Iraq is part of the chaos and consterna- defend their own country. They have to ably, in the opinion of the Iraq Study tion we find in that country. decide their own future. Is it likely to Group, a bipartisan group of experts, as Finally, of course, this civil war is be smooth sailing as we leave? No. But well as the National Intelligence Esti- driven by so many elements—criminal it is a process which will take place mate, lead to consequences that would elements, al-Qaida elements, Ba’athist whether we leave within a few months not only be devastating for the Iraqis, elements, Iranian elements, and, yes, a or a year or wait much longer. it would be destabilizing in that region civil war generated by a division with- I encourage my colleagues to look and would lead to greater loss of life in Islam that has gone on for more honestly at this Cornyn amendment. and greater insecurity in the United than 14 centuries. It is into this cru- As I reflect on it, I don’t think it offers States. cible of hate and killing that we have any serious challenge. None of us want So I hope all of my colleagues will sent 170,000 American troops who each to see a failed Iraq. But let’s remember vote in favor of this amendment at 2:45 morning get up, strap on their armor, that the bottom line is the only

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The fact is, according to the Na- to keep this one statement in mind, I inquire how much time I have remain- tional Intelligence Estimate, the intel- believe, first and foremost. This is ing? ligence community, the Iraq Study what Prime Minister Maliki said: The PRESIDING OFFICER. Nine Group, and others, it will make Amer- The crisis is political, and the ones who minutes. ica less safe by creating a safe haven can stop the cycle of bloodletting of inno- Mr. CORNYN. I yield myself 4 min- for organizations such as al-Qaida to cents are the politicians. utes. plot, plan, train, and to export future Well, it is long overdue that the poli- Mr. President, I appreciate the com- terrorist attacks against the United ticians in Iraq step up to their respon- ments of the distinguished majority States. sibility. The amendment before us, it whip, the Senator from Illinois, but I If we think they are modest in their seems to me, states something which is do see things a little differently. goals, I think we need to think again. clear. I believe it is obvious that it is First of all, when he talks about a Rather than a crude instrument like an in everyone’s interest that Iraq not be civil war in Iraq, he seems to overlook airplane flying into the Pentagon and a failed state. I agree with my friend the fact that al-Qaida is present in Iraq the World Trade Center, this terrorist from Texas. That should be a goal of and is the precipitating cause for the organization in Iraq, which considers everybody. The problem is that Iraq is sectarian strife we are all concerned Iraq the central front in their war the No. 2 most unstable state in the about. What would he do to deal with against the West, is trying to get bio- world right now. That is the status al-Qaida in Iraq, which they regard as logical, chemical, and even nuclear quo. That is what we have to end. The the central front in their war against weapons. Woe be the day that they get only way to end it is with a political the West? their hands on those and use them settlement by the Iraqis. When my friend from Illinois says we against America or its allies. There was an article a few days ago need a limited presence of our Amer- So I think we should be of one mind in Foreign Policy magazine called ican troops in Iraq, I am not sure what with this sense of the Senate that says ‘‘The States That Fail Us.’’ It is about that means, but I sure would rather we would take no action that would failed states. It has a list of about 60 have the four star Army GEN David make it more likely that Iraq would states, and they give all of the indica- Petraeus determining the appropriate descend into a failed state to create tors of instability. Iraq is No. 2 on the tactics to deal with the threat on the that haven for terrorists. list, right after Sudan. That is the sta- ground rather than politicians, arm- I yield the floor and reserve my time. tus quo. That is what we are trying to chair generals here in Washington, DC. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, how much end—the failure of a policy in Iraq Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield time remains? which has led the Iraqi leaders to be- for a question? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- lieve that there is an open-ended com- Mr. CORNYN. I will yield for a ques- ator from Michigan has 91⁄2 minutes. mitment on the part of the United tion. Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I yield States to give them protection in that Mr. DURBIN. I will make this very myself 5 minutes. green zone to the extent that it exists. brief. Isn’t it a fact that over the week- Mr. President, I think everybody in It is that open-ended commitment of end, the Prime Minister of Iraq invited this body would like to leave Iraq bet- the United States that must end—if we us to leave at any time? ter than we found it. That is not the are going to prod the Iraqi leaders to Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, to my current situation. The current situa- finally step up, look into the abyss and knowledge, we are of one mind that we tion is chaos and violence in Iraq. It is make a decision, do they want a civil do want to leave Iraq. The question is, an Iraq that is torn apart by sectarian war or do they want a nation? Under what conditions? I don’t believe violence. When you have group slaugh- Mr. President, we cannot save them Prime Minister Maliki certainly is on tering group in a civil war, a sectarian from themselves. To say that we don’t record as saying he wants us to leave type of war, it requires that the Iraqi want a failed state in Iraq is to say we at a time when his government would political leaders take action to end the don’t want the status quo to continue, be rent asunder and Iraq would descend violence. The only way to end the vio- that the course must change in Iraq. into sectarian war and perhaps a re- lence is if the Iraqi political leaders So I will vote for the Cornyn amend- gional conflict. But the fact is, GEN will reach a political settlement. I ment because I think it states, in gen- David Petraeus, the general whom we think almost everybody agrees with eral terms at least, what I hope Mem- confirmed unanimously just a short that. I think our uniformed military bers of the Senate would all agree on— time ago, has recommended to the agrees with that, our civilian leaders that a failed state in Iraq is not in the Commander in Chief a new strategy agree, and almost everybody agrees interest of this Nation. known as the surge, which was com- that there is no military solution in Mr. DURBIN. How much time re- pleted just last month, a few short Iraq, and that the only solution, the mains? weeks ago. Now he has said to give only way to end this violence is if the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- that surge an opportunity to do its job Iraqi political leaders accept the re- ator from Michigan controls 4 minutes. and he will come back and report to us sponsibility to work out political The Senator from Texas controls 5 in September. I think we ought to give agreements on a number of disagree- minutes. Who yields time? that a reasonable chance. ments they have identified for them- The Senator from Texas is recog- While the distinguished majority selves. nized. whip wants to talk about the Levin We talk a lot about benchmarks, and Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I am amendment, I think we will have plen- the President said the other day that grateful for the statement of the dis- ty of time to talk about that during on eight benchmarks we are making tinguished chairman of the Senate the course of the evening. progress, and on eight we are not—to Armed Services Committee, the Sen- The irony is, we are ready to vote on make it sound like we have a glass that ator from Michigan, in support of this the Levin amendment at almost any is half full. But that is not what the amendment. I believe it is non- time. But we are going to have a big facts sustain or support. The facts are controversial. If there is one thing we political theater tonight. We will have that we have a glass called Iraq which ought to be able to agree upon in this a lot of fun having a Senate slumber has a hole in the bottom. Whatever we debate, it is that it is not in our self-in- party for the benefit of organizations pour into Iraq goes right through that terest to leave Iraq as a failed state. such as moveon.org, which is having a hole. It is going to continue to do that Where we diverge is where the Sen- press conference at 8:30 tonight. We until one thing happens, and that is ator says we have to put more pressure ought to be having a serious debate and that the Iraqi political leaders decide on the politicians. I think we need to

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9320 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 do that, but not so much pressure that that is not what this is about. What we necessities of life for the men and they simply collapse, which is my con- are facing on the Republican side of the women serving in the military, when cern. That is why I believe what Gen- aisle is an objection to an up-or-down we should be passing this—we all know eral Petraeus has said, which is that vote, a majority vote, on the Levin- it is going to come up in September. the situation in Iraq is hard but not Reed amendment. That amendment is We should be passing this so the men hopeless. That gives me some hope that the only amendment which establishes and women can get what they need and we can provide them the space they a time line and a timetable for ending deserve in order to defend the security need in order to make those hard polit- this war responsibly and beginning to of this Nation. Instead, Mr. President, ical decisions, which are extraor- bring our troops home within 120 days. what we are doing is having, again, for dinarily difficult. If you think about it, It is the only amendment before us the eighth or ninth time, without hav- the kind of decisions they are being that will achieve that. Other amend- ing passed one appropriations bill, in- called upon to make—for example, the ments are interesting. None of them cluding the Military Construction ap- sharing of oil revenue—I might suggest have the power of law. propriations bill, which is ready to be that is equivalent to the U.S. Congress The Levin-Reed amendment has the passed—instead, we will have this ‘‘ar- trying to solve the Social Security in- power of law. The President will have gument’’ against the filibuster. solvency problem. It is not easy for to to follow it or veto it. Those are his Mr. President, it doesn’t pass the us do. We have not done it yet. How in choices. That is why it is so serious. smell test. I object. the world can we expect this new de- That is why the Republican leadership The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- mocracy, particularly under such has opposed our having a majority vote tion is heard. The time in opposition stressful and difficult circumstances, on this in the Senate. They are filibus- has expired. to do things that we ourselves would tering it, trying to stop us from get- The Senator from Texas has 1 find extraordinarily difficult to do? ting to a vote on that amendment. minute. Mr. CORNYN. I have 1 minute re- Talking about debaathification and Ordinarily, when you filibuster some- thing, it is so sanitized and civilized, maining? things like that—the Baathist Party, Mr. President, I agree with the Sen- you don’t even know it is happening. under Saddam Hussein, was guilty of ator from Arizona, of course. My belief Members of the Senate file a cloture the most heinous sorts of crimes would be that if our friends on the motion and go out for dinner and say: against the Shiite majority. This is a other side of the aisle wanted to move We’ll see you in the morning for the country traumatized from years of a up the cloture vote on the Levin vote. Tonight they will stick around. If police state under the boot heel of a amendment to 6 p.m. tonight, we could they want to filibuster this amendment terrible, blood-thirsty dictator like expedite things and get right to the that will change the policy in Iraq, Saddam Hussein, where hundreds of vote that perhaps the distinguished they will have to stay and debate it. It thousands of people were killed by Sad- majority whip wishes to have. I think will be a real filibuster. If they believe dam Hussein. there is no objection on this side to So it is not surprising that this trau- this is still right, we will see if they providing a vote on that cloture vote. matized nation is having challenges feel that way at 4 a.m. tomorrow morn- We could do that sooner rather than coming back from that and that they ing. That is what this is about. It is not later. I certainly would support that are slow to make decisions that we a slumber party. action. I will have to consult with the think they should be making. But the The Senator from Texas said, ‘‘We leaders on this side of the aisle, but basic minimum is that they need the are ready to vote.’’ Therefore, I ask that certainly might help us get to the security in order to have the space in unanimous consent to vote on the Levin-Reed amendment No. 2087 at 6 bottom of things that much sooner. order to make those difficult decisions. I urge all my colleagues to vote in p.m., with the time between 3:05 and That is what this new plan is, which is support of the amendment before us then equally divided in the usual form. only in the early stages of being imple- that would be a vote against any ac- mented by General Petraeus, designed Mr. MCCAIN. Reserving the right to object, Mr. President. tion that would enhance the likelihood to do. of a failed state in Iraq, which is not in What are the early reports? We are The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ator from Arizona is recognized. America’s best security interests. beginning to see some progress, par- I ask for the yeas and nays. Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, if this ticularly in Anbar Province in dealing The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a were the first time that a 60-vote re- with al-Qaida that up until recently sufficient second? basically had the run of the place. The quirement were made, I would have There appears to be a sufficient sec- tribal sheiks and others are coming some sympathy for the Senator from ond. forward and volunteering for the police Illinois. I am having staff compile the The yeas and nays were ordered. and security forces. So I guess we are number of times when the other side of Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I have a seeing the most hard-bitten cynics, but the aisle was in the minority, they de- unanimous consent request. I need Sen- there are some signs that things are manded 60 votes as well. You cannot do ator MCCAIN to listen. Apparently, the getting a little bit better in terms of it with a straight face. time the Senator from Arizona took on the security context. It seems obvious You cannot say that all we are going his reservation came out of our time, that basic security has to prevail in to do here in the Senate is have us gov- and I am wondering if he would give us order for the Iraqis, in exercising their ern by 51 votes; otherwise, we may as a minute. new democratic government, to try to well be unicameral because we would Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I am reconcile some of these terrible and have the Senate and the House exactly pleased to give that to the distin- difficult decisions. the same. guished chairman. I am delighted that the distinguished So, of course, I will object, Mr. Presi- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without chairman of the Senate Armed Serv- dent. I wish we would get off this horse objection, it is so ordered. ices Committee has said he will sup- of saying that somehow the other side Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, on the port this amendment. My hope is that never employed the 60-vote require- question of the 60 votes, there is a pro- this is one thing in the course of all of ment in the Senate, because they did. cedural roadblock which is being this fractious debate that we can unify It is a tradition in the Senate, and it is placed here. It is not the first time in behind. within the rules of the Senate. It may history, of course, but a decision has to I reserve the remainder of my time. be frustrating. It certainly was to us be made here whether the verdict of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- when we were in the majority and the the American people last November ator from Illinois is recognized. Democrats were in the minority and that there be a change in policy is Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I would they employed it. But to somehow act going to be thwarted by that proce- like to address two comments made as if what is being done is unprece- dural roadblock, and the Republican earlier by the Senator from Texas. He dented—I will tell you what is unprece- leader has apparently decided it will referred to the possibility of an all- dented; it is taking a Defense author- be. night session in the Senate as a so- ization bill that is there for the train- In terms of precedent, last year on called Senate slumber party. Trust me, ing and equipping and pay raises and the Defense authorization bill, there

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9321 were at least two votes on Iraq, both way. As you know, more than 3,600 brave We have three Republican cosponsors majority votes. That is the precedent. Americans have lost their lives and more of this amendment. Last year, there was a Levin-Reed than $400 billion has been expended on the A vote on this bipartisan amendment amendment that received 39 votes and war in Iraq, which has now moved into its will be a vote to change course. A ‘‘no’’ fifth year, with no end in sight. Yet Senate a Kerry amendment, both on Iraq on Republicans have chosen to prevent an hon- vote would be a vote to stay the the Defense authorization bill, the est debate, an action on legislation to pro- course, to continue the President’s most recent experience. This issue is so vide an Iraq strategy that will allow us to re- failed strategy indefinitely. vital. It is so much in the minds of the sponsibly redeploy our troops and refocus President Bush’s term of office is American people that we should not our attention on the very real threat posed winding down. We should not have to throw up procedural roadblocks to al- by al-Qaida. This is partisan obstruction wait until he completes his term of of- lowing the Senate to vote. That is why that I fear will make us less, not more, se- fice before we change course on this we have asked that we be allowed to cure, and I urge you to reconsider your war in Iraq. A ‘‘yes’’ vote on this bipar- course. vote up or down on this amendment, Today’s headlines confirm the importance tisan amendment would finally bind and that apparently has now been ob- of allowing the Senate to consider amend- President Bush to responsibly reduce jected to. ments to change the course in Iraq and combat operations and return our focus The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time refocus our resources so we can more effec- on the real and growing threats we has expired. The question is on agree- tively wage the war on terror. The news re- face. That is why I, once again, request ing to amendment No. 2100. The yeas ports indicate that the violence in northern unanimous consent to move to an up- and nays have been ordered. Iraq has escalated at the same time the Di- or-down vote on Levin-Reed, along rector of National Intelligence released a with the amendments my Republican The clerk will call the roll. new assessment that al-Qaida has regen- The assistant legislative clerk pro- erated key elements of its homeland capa- colleagues wish to offer and other ceeded to call the roll. bility. As long as our troops are mired in po- Democrats who wish to offer amend- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the licing an Iraq civil war, they cannot focus on ments. Senator from Delaware (Mr. BIDEN), the enemy that attacked us nearly 6 years I ask unanimous consent that amend- the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. INOUYE), ago, an enemy that, regrettably, has regen- ment No. 2088 be withdrawn and at 6:30 the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. erated its attack capacity since 9/11. p.m. today the Senate vote on the Furthermore, contrary to your previous JOHNSON) are necessarily absent. Levin-Reed amendment, No. 2087, with assertions, there is a long, bipartisan tradi- the time between now and then equally The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. tion of allowing Senators to offer defense-re- SALAZAR). Are there any other Sen- lated amendments on the Defense authoriza- divided in the usual form, with no sec- ators in the Chamber desiring to vote? tion bill without the obstruction Senate Re- ond-degree amendments in order. The result was announced—yeas 94, publicans are employing today. The record The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there nays 3, as follows: also clearly shows that both Senate Demo- objection? [Rollcall Vote No. 248 Leg.] crats and Republicans have recently fore- Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, reserving gone the opportunity to block action on im- YEAS—94 the right to object. portant Iraq-related amendments. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Akaka Domenici Mikulski For example, just last year the Senate Alexander Dorgan Murkowski jority leader. voted up or down on two Iraq-related amend- Mr. REID. Mr. President, either yes Allard Durbin Murray ments on the Defense authorization bill. Ad- Barrasso Ensign Nelson (FL) ditionally, Senate Democrats did not place a or no on this? Baucus Enzi Nelson (NE) Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, reserving Bayh Feinstein 60-vote hurdle in front of Republican amend- Obama ments to strike Iraq policy language in the the right to object. I believe I do have Bennett Graham Pryor Iraq supplemental spending bill, nor did Bingaman Grassley Reed the right to at least explain my res- Bond Gregg Reid votes on final passage of the Iraq supple- ervation. Boxer Hagel Roberts mental require 60 votes. Mr. REID. Regular order. Brown Hatch Rockefeller Therefore, I renew the proposal I offered to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Brownback Hutchison you recently to permit the Senate to act on Bunning Inhofe Salazar jority leader has asked for the regular a series of amendments pertaining to Iraq. Burr Isakson Sanders order. The Senator has to object or Cantwell Kennedy Schumer Under my proposal, the Senate would hold Cardin Kerry Sessions up-or-down votes on the bipartisan amend- not. Carper Klobuchar Shelby ments offered by Senators Levin and Reed, Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, I do object. Casey Kohl Smith Lugar and Warner, Salazar and Alexander, I would like to ask if the distinguished Chambliss Kyl Snowe and Nelson and Collins. There are other majority leader will give me an oppor- Clinton Landrieu Specter amendments Republican and Democratic Coburn Lautenberg tunity to at least respond to some of Stabenow Senators wish to offer related to Iraq, and I Cochran Leahy Stevens the things he had to say. I think that would be willing to work with you to ensure Coleman Levin Sununu would be the way we usually do busi- these amendments also receive up-or-down Collins Lieberman Tester ness around here. Conrad Lincoln votes. Thune Mr. REID. I will be complete in a Corker Lott Vitter For the sake of our troops and the Amer- Cornyn Lugar Voinovich ican people, I hope you reconsider your deci- matter of minutes. We will have a fili- Craig Martinez Warner sion to obstruct Senate action on critical buster. He can speak for as many hours Crapo McCain Webb amendments that would change the course of DeMint McCaskill as he wants or minutes he wants. We Dodd McConnell Whitehouse the war in Iraq. are now at the time when the time for Dole Menendez Wyden We have completed a vote, yet an- speeches has ended. It is time for vot- NAYS—3 other example of an Iraq-related ing. We want a vote on the Levin-Reed Byrd Feingold Harkin amendment with a majority vote. We amendment. That is what we want. We didn’t demand a 60-vote margin on Cor- have had a lot of good words from the NOT VOTING—3 nyn. It is another example of how other side of the aisle. We want some Biden Inouye Johnson amendments should be handled; that is, votes, and that is what this is all The amendment (No. 2100) was agreed with a simple majority vote. about. This is not the time for reserv- to. The American people deserve up-or- ing. Voting—that is what we want. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- down votes, yes or no: Vote on the Mr. LOTT. If the majority leader jority leader. amendment. The Levin-Reed amend- yielded the floor, I seek recognition. Mr. REID. Mr. President, late this ment is a bipartisan amendment. For The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- morning, I sent a letter to the distin- me, one of the most significant para- jority leader. guished minority leader, Senator graphs in that legislation was authored Mr. REID. Yes, once again what we MITCH MCCONNELL. I addressed the let- by Senator HAGEL of Nebraska. It basi- have seen with my friend from Mis- ter ‘‘Dear Mitch,’’ and I will read the cally says we need to have the United sissippi, and he is my friend—we have letter. Nations involved in this intractable seen Republican leadership resort to There are no more solemn decisions facing civil war. It is a wonderfully written technical maneuvers to block progress Members of Congress than the conduct of the paragraph that strengthens this bipar- on this crucial amendment. It would be war and the placing of our troops in harm’s tisan amendment. one thing for Republicans to vote

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9322 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 against this amendment. It is their They will be waking up to the 1,582nd Mr. REID. I will not do that. I am right to do so. If they honestly believe day of this war. They will wake up, and happy to yield for a question. stay the course is the right strategy, it is very hot in Iraq this time of the Mr. LEAHY. I ask the distinguished they have the right to vote no. But now year. They are a long ways away in majority leader if he has not had expe- Republicans are using a filibuster to some foreign land we call Iraq, far from riences similar to mine. I was in block us from even voting on an their families, and facing, every Vermont over the weekend, as I am amendment that could bring this war minute of the day, danger. most weekends. I get stopped by people to a responsible end. They are pro- This is not a war where the troops in the grocery store or putting gas in tecting the President rather than pro- gather and face each other. This is a the car—we are a small State, and you tecting our troops. They are denying us war in an urban setting, most of the tend to know everybody; they are Re- an up-or-down vote, yes or no, a vote time, where people are blown up driv- publicans and they are Democrats—and on the most important issue our coun- ing vehicles up streets buying groceries I get asked the constant question, if try faces today. in a marketplace. What happened yes- the President will not listen to us I am speaking today for the Amer- terday? In a place that there had been about getting out, can you people in ican people; 67 percent of the American no violence, more than 100 were killed Congress vote on something? Can you people think the surge has been a fail- and more than 200 injured. The picture vote? Can you either vote to keep us ure—Democrats; not even a majority of in the paper—there is a hole where that there or vote to get us out, but stand Republicans favor the surge. Of course, bomb went off as big and deep as this up? My answer to them is we are pre- a significant majority of Independents Chamber we are in today. pared to vote on our side of the aisle. recognize that the surge has not been The violence is escalating. The new Senator REID and those following him good. We are speaking for the Amer- report is out. It was leaked last week; are prepared to vote, but we are ican people on this bipartisan amend- it is out today. ‘‘Al-Qaida stronger,’’ so stopped from voting. ment. says the report. The President dis- I am wondering whether the distin- We have no choice, as I have indi- agrees, but that is what the report guished majority leader, when he goes cated earlier, but to stay in session. says. Can’t have it both ways. home to Nevada, whether he doesn’t The Republicans have a right to talk. So our valiant troops are going to hear similar sentiments about: Let us Let them talk. It is their filibuster. wake up with this war facing them— vote. Let us vote. But we will continue to speak in spite more than any one of us can under- Mr. REID. I say to my friend, the dis- of that. When they finish their fili- stand, with the exception of maybe tinguished chair of the Judiciary Com- buster, we will still be speaking, con- Senator WEBB, Senator KERRY, maybe mittee, I don’t have to go home. People tinue speaking out on behalf of our JOHN MCCAIN—I am sorry if I missed call me. I talk to my brothers. They troops and all Americans—all Ameri- others—Senator INOUYE, Senator STE- tell me what they think is wrong. I cans: Democrats, a majority of the Re- VENS. Senator HAGEL, of course—with talk to my friends. I have tried every publicans, and the Independents—to his brother—fought in Vietnam. They weekend when I have some time and I continue requesting consent for an up- are going to wake up, as I said, far am here—I try to reach some people in or-down vote on our amendment to end from their families, facing constant Nevada I haven’t talked to in a while. this war. danger, for what? For what? Mr. Presi- They say exactly what my friend from I don’t want to make any more calls dent, 69 percent of the Iraqi people Vermont says: Get us out of there. Get don’t want us there. They are saying to the families in Nevada who have lost us out of there. a loved one. Tens of thousands of our we are doing more harm than good. Al That is what this Levin-Reed amend- bold, brave Americans have been in- Maliki said a couple of days ago he can ment is all about, to change course in jured, wounded—a third of them griev- do without us. We can leave whatever Iraq. The American people deserve ously. When we hear that there was an time we want. They can handle the sit- that. improvised explosive device and two uation with the billions and billions of Mr. DURBIN. Will the Senator yield soldiers were killed, it doesn’t talk dollars we have spent training Iraqi for a question? about the maiming of other soldiers. troops. Mr. REID. I am happy to yield for a We as Senators owe it to each of our Thousands—thousands of American question. men and women in Iraq to debate the troops have lost multiple limbs. We Mr. LOTT. Will the Senator yield for war openly and honestly, and we owe it have heard from the experts about the a question? to all Americans to finally vote for a head trauma. I can’t get out of my Mr. DURBIN. I ask the majority responsible end to the war that has leader, first, he has focused on the mind my trip to Walter Reed, where a been so long in coming. I hope by the woman said: I have been in the mili- most important part of this debate, the time this night is through and dawn war that is claiming American lives. tary—I have been in the Army for 22 has broken that we will have the op- years. I have a master’s degree. My But, unfortunately, this debate also fo- portunity to vote. cuses on the rules of the Senate. I ask specialty was numbers. I worked in the We are willing to vote before that. the Senate majority leader if he is Pentagon with numbers. She said: I Whenever we have an opportunity, we aware of the fact that in the last 7 don’t even know my own phone num- are going to ask reasonably that we years that the Defense authorization ber. She said: I have never had my skin have a vote on the bipartisan amend- pierced, but I have been knocked down; ment. It is the right thing to do. It is bill has been brought to the floor, I have been in these explosions numer- what the American people deserve. every amendment which has been of- ous times. I have no mind anymore. We are spending, now, $12 billion a fered was subject to a majority vote, That is what this amendment is all month. Is that enough to get our atten- simple majority vote, except in five in- about—to change course. Is it nec- tion? We are trying to do other things. stances which required a budget waiv- essary we wait 60 more days until this What are we trying to do? Get health er, a specific provision in our Senate magic day in September to change care for kids. The President is very rules when there were budget waivers course? How many more Americans concerned about these appropriations required as with the minimum wage soldiers are going to be killed? How bills which we are going to try to pass. and so forth, 60 votes. But is the major- many are going to be maimed, wound- Where is the money to pass them, giv- ity leader aware of the fact that in ed, lose their arms, lose their minds? ing the American people what they de- every authorization bill, Defense au- So we have no choice but to stay in serve? It has been taken in the sands of thorization bill, in the years 2001, 2002, session and continue speaking out on Iraq, to the tune of more than a half a 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, that behalf of our troops and all Americans, trillion dollars. every amendment has been judged by a to continue requesting consent for an I yield the floor. majority vote and that the decision by up-or-down vote on this amendment. Mr. LEAHY. Will the Senator yield the Republicans to obstruct the major- Our troops in Baghdad are 8 hours for a question without the Senator ity vote on this is the first time in this ahead of us here on the east coast. As yielding his right to the floor? long period of time that we have ever we begin our debate in earnest tonight, Mr. LOTT. Does the majority leader done this on a Defense authorization our troops are going to be waking up. yield the floor? bill?

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9323 Mr. REID. I say to my friend, during Nation. Instead—instead, of doing what about a failed policy. It was a failed the years you have mentioned, there is necessary, including the 3.5-percent policy. The Rumsfeld-Casey policy have been democratically controlled pay raise, including the Wounded War- strategy was doomed to failure, and Senates, Republican controlled Sen- riors legislation on it to take care of some of us recognized that and stated ates, but it doesn’t matter who is con- our veterans—we are now gridlocked in that at the time. We said we had to trolling the Senate, we have always the Senate because the Senator from have a new strategy. It has to be the done these bills with simple majority Nevada knows he is not going to pass a classic counterinsurgency strategy if votes. withdrawal from Iraq on this bill. If he we are going to succeed in Iraq. For example, I can remember last did, the President would veto the bill, Well, we got a new general. We got a year we had one vote, as I recall, on because the President has said it. We new strategy. There are signs of suc- minimum wage because it required 60 all know that in September this issue cess. There are clearly some signs of votes to waive a budget point of order. is going to come to a head, whether I progress, and those are readily appar- So this new thing about 60 votes on ev- happen to favor that or not. ent. Now, is the Maliki Government erything is something that has been Most people believe that September acting in the way we want them to? ginned up in the minds of people who is a time where we could make the No, they are not. Is it disappointing want to avoid votes to change the kinds of judgments necessary to see that they are not? Absolutely, it is dis- course in Iraq. whether we are making the kind of appointing. That is what it is all about. The war progress that will justify continued ef- But as far as Anbar Province is con- is not going well. We all know that. We fort in this new strategy, which I, of cerned, as far as some parts of Baghdad need to sit back and understand that it course, would remind my colleagues are concerned, yes, there is some needs to change course. There is a col- again, the last part of which was put in progress which has been purchased at umn written today, I read it, op-ed place a few weeks ago. great and tragic cost, the sacrifice of about President Bush being stubborn. Of course, we did not have require- young American’s lives. And he is. We all know that. That is ments for 60-vote majorities in the past I would like to again assure my not all together always a bad trait. few years because no one had the te- friend of many years, from Nevada, I But, boy, I will tell you, he is sure merity to put an issue such as this on understand the frustration that he showing his streak of stubbornness on the very vital needs of the men and shows is shared by many Americans. this. He was unwilling to listen to any- women in the military to do their job. Our failure and our employment of a one who disagreed with him, and there So, of course, there was not a con- failed strategy for more than 3 years is are a number of people who have been troversial necessity for a 60-vote ma- well articulated. But I also would plead dumped from the administration as a jority. with my colleagues to at least know result. Someone who suggested the war I am happy to tell my friend from that we are not going to stop this now. would cost $150 to $200 billion, Lindsey, Mississippi that Senator LEVIN and I We are not going stop it now. Even if he was gone quick. are moving forward with clearing the majority leader got the 60 votes We had one of our good generals who amendments so we can, we hope, wrap and got this included in the bill in suggested we needed a lot more troops up this bill by the end of this week. I some way, the President of the United there. Out the door he went. We could hope that once this display that is States would veto it. We do not want go through a list of people who dis- going to take place tonight, all night, that to happen. We do not want that to agreed with the President who hit the is concluded, and there is not sufficient happen. road. votes in order to get the Levin-Reed We know that in September, whether I would hope that on this issue, when amendment passed, at some point we I happen to like it or not—I would like so many people all across this country, can go back to the Defense authoriza- to personally give it more time than on a bipartisan basis, agree that some- tion bill and get them the 3.5 percent September—we know that in Sep- thing needs to change in Iraq, my pay raise they have earned; get them tember this whole issue is going to friends, the Republicans, recognize that MRAP equipment that they need; come to a head. Here we are in the mid- that they also have responsibility to get this Wounded Warrior legislation dle of July. Can’t we sit down and work the American people more so than the through the Senate and to the desk of out the amendments in a way that Sen- President. the President of the United States. ator LEVIN and I and Senator WARNER Now, I would say this. My friend, We never grow tired, nor should we, and previous chairmen and ranking Senator LOTT, is still here. I am going of praising the men and women in the members have for the last 20 years, get to yield the floor and whoever grabs military, particularly those who have this bill done, get it out and get it to the floor can have it. I say to my sacrificed so much. All of us are embar- the President’s desk? Then we go into friend, Senator LOTT, who has always rassed and ashamed at what happened recess. We come back in September. I been a gentleman to me in the many at Walter Reed. Well, let’s pass this think that that is not an unreasonable areas we have worked together here: Wounded Warrior legislation on this path to follow. This was a time that I wanted a ‘‘yes’’ bill and get it done. So, my friends, we will continue to or ‘‘no’’ response. He is a real pro in Who is holding up passage of the De- debate this issue all night tonight. I here. He knows that he can get the fense authorization bill? Who is requir- understand that. Hopefully, when the floor again to explain whatever his po- ing us to stay up all night to discuss it? majority sees that, the leader sees sition was. This was in the middle of My friends, this is not necessary. We there is not the votes, maybe we could my speech. That is why I followed the all know that General Petraeus was af- then get down to the nuts and bolts of rules. firmed in his position by the Senate by the Defense authorization bill of which The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. an overwhelming vote. General at last count there are over 100 amend- MCCASKILL.) The Senator from Ari- Petraeus, at the time of his hearings, ments pending that Members have on zona. said we were going to have a new strat- both sides of the aisle, they want to be Mr. MCCAIN. The Senator from Ne- egy—that strategy is called surge—and considered and voted on. vada, the distinguished majority leader that it would require additional troops. I fear—I fear—that the majority lead- and my friend for many years, points He also said at that time it would er, because of a lack of time, may feel out that in previous years, the Defense take time, that it would take a period it necessary to pull the bill from the authorization bill was passed without of time before we would know whether floor. I think that would not be in any requirements for a 60-vote majority. it succeeded. Here we are, literally way helpful to our Nation’s national There is a simple answer to that. We weeks after the last part of this new security interests. never took up an issue such as this on strategy is in place, the last detach- My friends, if we could lower the the Defense authorization bill. ment of an increase in troops, and we rhetoric around here a bit, let us sit In fact, our focus and our attention are telling them to set a date for with- down and talk about the best way to was, for 45 years, providing men and drawal. proceed, recognizing that September women who are serving in the military Now, you know, I share the frustra- will be a very important point, and with what they needed to defend this tion that my friend from Nevada stated pass this authorization bill and not for

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 the first time in 45 years have us not do month of this war. It is likely to cost should invade. But it didn’t add up. It what we need to do for our Nation’s se- us 2,000 more injured soldiers; that is didn’t add up in terms of the threat or curity and the men and women who are what 2 months means. in terms of whether we were prepared serving. It is likely to cost us $24 billion from to accept the reality that it is far easi- I yield the floor. America’s Treasury. It is not a matter er to get into a war than it is to get The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- of waiting for a convenient moment out of one. Here we are in the fifth year jority whip. chosen by some to make this decision. of a war that has lasted longer than Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I Many of us believe this decision should World War II, a war with no end in have the greatest respect for the Sen- be made now and it should be made sight. This President’s response: Send ator from Arizona. We disagree on a here, and it should be made with the more American soldiers into harm’s number of issues. We have worked to- Levin-Reed amendment which is a rea- way in Iraq. gether on many others. I would like to sonable bipartisan amendment. That is unacceptable. It is time for respond to several things he said. Sen- The Republican side objects. They the Iraqis to stand and defend their ator MCCAIN asked us who is holding up are filibustering. We have said this will own nation. They will not do that until this bill? Well, those who followed the not be the most modern form of fili- American soldiers start coming home. debate know that a few minutes ago buster. This goes back to the roots of That is what the Levin-Reed amend- the majority leader, Senator REID of the Senate. We will stay in business ment is about. Nevada, asked to move to vote on the during the period of time when we are I am sorry the Republican side has amendment by Senators LEVIN and supposed to be debating. Whether we go initiated this filibuster to block a vote REED. He asked for unanimous consent to this amendment, we will invite on this important amendment. I am to move to a vote within a matter of members from both said of the aisle to sorry they are insisting on a 60-vote hours. express their point of view. I will tell margin which was rarely, if ever, used Where did the objection come from? you this, the people I represent in my on a Defense authorization bill over From the Republican side of the aisle. State, the ones whom I meet, as Sen- the last 7 years. Those are the facts. So in answering Senator MCCAIN’s ator LEAHY said of his voters in They have done it because their ranks question, who is holding up this bill, it Vermont, want us to change this policy are starting to change. Three Repub- is your side of the aisle, and specifi- in this war. They want us to bring this lican Senators have now stepped out cally the Senator sitting next to you war to an end. They understand, as we and said they will join us in this effort who objected to moving to a vote. That must understand, we never bargained to change the policy of the war. Many is what is holding up this bill. for where we are today. America was more back home have said they have The second question asked by the misled into this war. We were told decided we need a new policy in Iraq. Senator from Arizona: Why are we de- there were weapons of mass destruc- We want to give them a chance for a bating the war on this bill? This bill tion, nuclear weapons, they threatened vote that is significant. Will the President veto it if we pass happens to be the authorization for ap- the Middle East, they threatened it? Probably. But does that mean we propriations for fiscal year 2007 for America. Not a single one has been shouldn’t try? Don’t we owe it to these military activities of the Department found. soldiers and their families and to our of Defense. If you do not debate the We were told that this dictator, Sad- Nation to change this failed policy be- war in Iraq on the bill authorizing ap- dam Hussein, was the reason for this fore it claims more American lives, propriations for the Department of De- invasion. He is long gone—dug out of a sends more American warriors back fense, where would you turn, the agri- hole in the ground, put on trial, and ex- culture bill? I don’t think so. This is wounded from battle and costs Ameri- ecuted by his own people. Yet we still cans the treasure we have gathered in the appropriate bill. stay in this war, a war that has The Senator from Arizona has made the taxes of our citizens? changed so drastically to the point I say to my friend from Arizona, we that point. Included within the amend- that it is now a civil war and our sol- see this war differently, but I think it ments to this bill are provision for our diers, as good as they are, are caught is clear who is holding up this bill: the warriors who are coming home wound- in the crossfire of sectarian violence, Republican minority with their fili- ed. I have been part of putting that to- now victims of al-Qaida terrorism that buster. Why this bill? Because if you gether. I thank Senator LEVIN, I thank did not exist when we invaded Iraq, not didn’t debate a war on a Defense au- Senator MCCAIN. It is an important in that country. thorization bill, where would you de- provision. But let’s be very honest. The They are the ones who are the vic- bate it? Should we wait until Sep- reason they are coming home wounded tims of bad planning and bad decisions. tember? The cost is too high. is because there is a war. It is fit and It is interesting to me how many Re- I yield the floor. proper for us to ask whether that war publican Senators see how poorly exe- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- is being waged effectively and whether cuted this war has been. ator from Arizona. our policy should be changed in this We all know our military is the best. Mr. MCCAIN. Madam President, I was bill? If not on this bill, what bill would But when it comes to the Commander just given information by my staff. I we use? I think, frankly, that many in Chief and the generals, so many bad ask unanimous consent that it be would rather we did not debate this at decisions have been made at the ex- printed in the RECORD. all; give permission to the President to pense of our troops. It is interesting to There being no objection, the mate- wage the war as he wants as long as he me, they concede that point and yet rial was ordered to be printed in the wants: step out of the way, Congress, want to continue: Let’s just wait a few RECORD, as follows: the President is in charge. more months, maybe another year, DISPOSITION OF MEASURES UNDERGOING ROLL- I don’t accept that. Each of us rep- maybe a year and a half, and then see CALL VOTES IN THE SENATE, 109TH CONGRESS resents our own State, represents peo- what happens. 109TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION (2005) ple who expect us to articulate their I was one of 23 Senators who voted Number of measures on which there were rollcall point of view and speak for them. We against this authorization to go to war. votes in 2005: 40 do not cede all power in this Govern- Mr. BYRD. So was I. Passed without a vote on cloture or another 60-vote requirement: 29 ment to one branch, not to the execu- Mr. DURBIN. Senator BYRD, I re- tive branch. We have our own responsi- member your leadership on this issue (1) London Terrorist Attacks (S. Res. 193; passed 76–0) bility. as well. I can tell you it was not the (2) Homeland Security Appropriations Let me say a word about waiting most popular position to be in at the (H.R. 2360; 96–1) until September. Waiting until Sep- time. (3) Burma Sanctions Extension (H.J. Res. tember, what difference would it make Mr. BYRD. No. 52; 97–1) if we wait until September? What could Mr. DURBIN. The overwhelming ma- (4) Americans With Disabilities Act Com- it possibly cost us if we wait until Sep- jority of the American people heard memoration (S. Res. 207; 87–0) (5) CAFTA (S. 1307: 54–45; H.R. 3045: 55–45) tember? Well, it is likely to cost us 200 their President say weapons of mass (6) Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 18: American lives. We are losing 100 destruction, ruthless and bloodthirsty passed 51–49; Conference Report, H. Con. Res. Americans, on average, every single dictator, and said: Yes, maybe we 95: passed 52–47)

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9325 (7) Legislative Branch Appropriations Defeated on an up-down vote: 1 (6) Marriage Constitutional Amendment (H.R. 2985 Conference Report; 96–4) (1) Mercury Regulation Resolution of Dis- (S.J. Res. 1; cloture on the motion to proceed (8) Hurricane Katrina Resolution (S. Res. approval (47–51) failed, 49–48) (7) Death Tax Repeal (H.R. 8; cloture on 233; 94–0) Amendments voted on but no final action the motion to proceed failed, 57–41) (9) Katrina Emergency Supplemental (H.R. taken on the bill: 1 3673; 97–0) (8) Race Government for Native Hawaiians (10) Commerce-Justice-State Appropria- (1) Foreign Affairs Authorization (S. 600) (S. 147; cloture on the motion to proceed tions (H.R. 2862; bill passed 91–4; Conference 109TH CONGRESS, 2ND SESSION (2006) failed, 56–41) Report passed 94–5) Number of measures on which there were rollcall (9) Death Tax/Minimum Wage/Extenders (11) Agriculture Appropriations (H.R. 2744; votes in 2006: 38 (H.R. 5970; cloture on the motion to proceed bill passed 97–2, Conference Report passed 81– Passed without a vote on cloture or another failed, 56–42) 18) 60-vote requirement: 16 (10) Child Custody Protection Act (S. 403; bill passed 65–34; cloture on the motion to (12) Military Construction Appropriations (1) Tax Hike Prevention (H.R. 4297; bill concur with the House amendment to the (H.R. 2528; 98–0) passed 66–31; Conference Report passed 54–44) bill failed 57–42; bill died) (13) Customs Treaty (Treaty Doc. 108–6; 87– (2) Patriot Act Short-Term Extension 0) (H.R. 4659; 95–1) Defeated on an up-down vote: 1 (14) Transportation-Treasury-HUD Appro- (3) Debt Limit (H.J. Res. 47; 52–48) (1) Flag Protection Constitutional Amend- priations (H.R. 3058; 93–1) (4) U.S.-Oman FTA (S. 3569: 60–34; H.R. 5684: ment (S.J. Res. 12; defeated 66–34; 2⁄3 present (15) Foreign Operations Appropriations 62–32) and voting required) (H.R. 3057; bill passed 98–1; Conference Re- (5) Homeland Security Appropriations Amendments voted on and no final action port passed 91–0) (H.R. 5441; 100–0) taken on the bill: 1 (16) Energy and Water Appropriations (6) Human Fetus Farming Prohibition (S. (1) Agriculture Appropriations (H.R. 5384) (H.R. 2419; bill passed 92–3; Conference Re- 3504; 100–0) Mr. MCCAIN. Passed after a cloture port passed 84–4) (7) Nondestructive Stem Cell Research (S. (17) Pension Reform (S. 1783; 97–2) 2754; 100–0) vote and/or other 60-vote requirement (18) Tax Relief Act (S. 2020; 64–33) (8) Stem Cell Research (H.R. 810; 63–37) in 2005, seven; passed after a cloture (19) Iraqi Election (S. Res. 38; passed 93–0) (9) Water Resources (H.R. 5117; passed by vote and/or a 60-vote requirement in (20) Class Action Reform (S. 5; 72–26) voice vote after votes on amendments) 2006, 10; defeated by cloture or 60-vote (10) Voting Rights Act (H.R. 9; 98–0) (21) Genetic Nondiscrimination (S. 306; 98– requirement, also in 2006, 10. 0) (11) Pension Reform (H.R. 4; 93–5) (12) Defense Appropriations (H.R. 5631; bill It is clear that when the Senator (22) Disapproval of Canadian Beef Rule passed 98–0; Conference Report passed 98–0) from Illinois was in the minority, they (S.J. Res. 4; 52–46) (13) Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 83; 51– used the 60-vote provision as well, and (23) Vocational Education Reauthorization 49) (S. 250; 99–0) that is their right to do so. I don’t in (14) Interrogation and Trial of Terrorists (24) Mourning the Death of Pope John Paul any way object to their having done (S. 3930; 65–34) that. I do object strenuously to some- II (S. Res. 95; 98–0) (15) India Nuclear Energy (S. 3709; 85–12) (25) Airbus Subsidies Resolutions (S. Con. (16) Military Construction (H.R. 5385; how conveying the impression that this Res. 25; 96–0) passed by voice vote after a vote on a motion is a ‘‘filibuster’’ because we require 60 (26) Interior Appropriations (H.R. 2361; 94– to request the attendance of absent Sen- votes, that this is some Earth-shat- 0) ators) tering, precedent-shattering procedure. (27) Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 68; Passed after a cloture vote and/or other 60- passed by voice vote after a vote on an In fact, it is not. In fact, the Senator vote requirement: 10 amendment) from Illinois knows very well that 60 (28) 2nd Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res 72; (1) Patriot Act Additional Amendments (S. votes is often required, whether it be a passed by voice vote after a vote on an 2271; cloture on the motion to proceed in- budget point of order or whether a clo- amendment) voked 96–3; cloture on the bill invoked 69–30; ture vote, and it has been used quite (29) Deficit Reduction Omnibus Reconcili- bill passed 95–4) often by the minority as a tool to as- ation (S. 1932; bill passed 52–47; the Con- (2) Patriot Act Conference Report (H.R. 3199; cloture invoked 84–15; bill passed 89–10) sert their rights as the minority. I un- ference Report passed 50–50 with Vice Presi- derstand that. dent Cheney voting aye) (3) LIHEAP Aid (S. 2320; motion to waive the Budget Act agreed to 66–31; cloture in- The Senator from Illinois talks about Passed after a cloture vote and/or other 60- voked 75–25; bill passed by voice) the bill that this has to be on. This is vote requirement: 7 (4) Lobbying Reform (S. 2349; cloture was either the eighth or ninth time we have (1) Firearm Liability Reform (S. 397; clo- first rejected 51–47 due to a Dubai port brought up Iraq. He didn’t need the au- ture on the motion to proceed invoked 66–32; amendment, after that issue was resolved, thorization bill to do it then. It is the bill passed 65–31) cloture was invoked 81–16 and the bill passed right of the majority to bring up what- (2) Defense Appropriations (H.R. 2863; clo- 90–8) ture invoked 94–4; bill passed 97–0; cloture on (5) Emergency supplemental (H.R. 4939; clo- ever they want, whenever they want. I the Conference Report failed 56–44; after ture invoked 92–4; bill passed 77–21) can assure my colleagues, the Defense ANWR provisions removed, Conference Re- (6) Illegal and Legal Immigration (S. 2611; authorization bill will probably not be port passed 93–0) cloture invoked 73–25; bill passed 62–36) on the floor in September, and one (3) Labor-HHS Appropriations (H.R. 3010; (7) Defense Authorization (S. 2766; cloture thing I am pretty confident of is that cloture invoked 97–0; bill passed 94–3) invoked 98–1; bill passed 96–0) we will be taking up the issue of Iraq in (8) Gulf of Mexico OCS (S. 3711; cloture on (4) Bankruptcy Reform (cloture invoked September. So to somehow say that 69–31; bill passed 74–25) the motion to proceed invoked 86–12; cloture (5) Highway Bill (H.R. 3; cloture on the mo- on the bill invoked 72–23; bill passed 71–25) this is appropriate, it is not appro- tion to proceed invoked 94–6; cloture on the (9) Port Security (H.R. 4954; cloture in- priate because it is controversial, and Inhofe substitute invoked 92–7; motion to voked 98–0; bill passed 98–0) we know it will not be passed with a waive the Budget Act on the Inhofe sub- (10) Secure Fence Act (H.R. 6061; cloture on provision that requires what the Sen- stitute agreed to 76–22; bill passed 89–11; Con- the motion to proceed invoked 94–0; cloture ator from Illinois wants on it. It will ference Report passed 91–4) on the bill invoked 71–28; bill passed 80–19) never become law because the Presi- (6) Emergency Supplemental (H.R. 1268; Defeated by cloture or other 60-vote require- dent will veto it in the unlikely—in cloture invoked 100–0; bill passed 99–0; Con- ment: 10 fact, highly unlikely—situation where ference Report passed 100–0) (1) Asbestos compensation (S. 852; cloture (7) Energy Bill (H.R. 6; cloture invoked 92– this bill was passed by both Houses of on the motion to proceed invoked 98–1; mo- Congress. 4; bill passed 85–12; motion to waive the tion to waive the Budget Act failed 58–41) Budget Act for consideration of the Con- (2) Illegal Immigration (S. 2454; cloture on What we are doing—have no doubt ference Report agreed to 71–29; Conference the substitute amendment failed 39–60; clo- about it—is keeping the 3.5-percent pay Report passed 74–26) ture on the motion to commit failed 38–60; raise from going into law. We are keep- Passed after failure of cloture: 1 cloture on the bill failed 36–62) ing the wounded warrior legislation (1) Defense Authorization (S. 1042; cloture (3) Medical Care Access (S. 22; cloture on from being enacted by both Houses and failed 50–48 on July 26; the bill later passed the motion to proceed failed, 48–42) us acting as quickly as possible. The (4) Mothers & Babies Medical Care (S. 23; 98–0 November 15) Senator from Illinois, I believe, and all cloture on the motion to proceed failed, 49– Defeated by cloture: 1 44) other Senators voted on behalf of the (1) Patriot Act Conference Report (H.R. (5) Small Business Health Insurance (S. nomination of General Petraeus in 3199; cloture failed 52–47; the bill was passed 1955; cloture on the motion to proceed in- February, knowing full well what Gen- in 2006) voked, 96–2; cloture on the bill failed, 55–43) eral Petraeus’s strategy was. That was

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9326 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 very well articulated. So now we find By the way, these will be the guys new standard for 60 votes. That is in- ourselves some months later saying: who will be required to clean up the teresting. Well, we have to end it. mess, if we pass this resolution and we During this Congress, 47 clotures The distinguished majority leader, have a mess. have been filed. In the 106th Congress, who is no longer on the floor, declared Continuing from General Lynch: there were 71; 107th, 72; 108th 62; the the war lost. I was astonished. Because . . . you’d find the enemy regaining ground, 109th, 68. This is not a new phe- if we lost the war, then somebody won. reestablishing sanctuaries, building more nomenon. It has occurred all the time, Does that mean that al-Qaida has won IEDs . . . and the violence would escalate. regardless of whether Republicans or the war? I don’t think the 160,000 young I have already quoted before from Democrats were in the majority. Even men and women who are serving in Henry Kissinger. Senator REID said twice this year: Iraq, whom I visited about a week ago, General Lynch: In the Senate it has always been the case you need 60 votes. I don’t have 60 votes— think the war is lost. I don’t think the [our soldiers] want to fight terrorists here, majority of Americans do either. Are so they don’t have to fight terrorists back The particular issue he was referring they frustrated by what has happened home . . . I now have the forces I need to to— here? Of course, they are frustrated. conduct that mission. 60 votes are required for just about every- They want to bring it to an end. But it General Lynch, the 3rd ID com- thing. is the obligation of people such as me mander, says he has the troops and the That was what Senator REID had to to point out what happens when we wherewithal and the success to get the say earlier this year. withdraw in 120 days. job done. We are ready to vote. We could have Literally, in the view of every expert The Senator from Illinois wants to a vote on this amendment, the Levin- on national security, we will pay a say, no, you have to come home in 120 Reed amendment, right now. We are much heavier price in the long run. days. I don’t think that is right. I don’t ready to go. We can have the cloture Chaos, genocide will ensue. Quite often think General Lynch is reading any vote that would be scheduled in the I hear from the other side: What is plan polls. I think General Lynch and Gen- morning in an hour, to be fair to every- B, if the surge doesn’t work? eral Petraeus are fighting an enemy body, so we could have wrapup state- What is plan B if the withdrawal re- that, according to them, they will be ments. Everybody knows we can have sults in chaos and genocide in the re- fighting here if we have a precipitous that vote now, or 5:30 or 6:30, or in the gion? According to most experts—in- withdrawal. morning. I have been involved in these cluding Henry Kissinger, Brent Scow- General Lynch: all-night discussions. Interestingly, the croft, General Zinni according to most last time we had one of these so-called . . . surge forces are giving us the capability all-night debates, it was because the people who have spent their lives on we have now to take the fight to the enemy national security issues, it will be . . . the enemy only responds to force, and Democrats wanted to require 60 votes chaos and genocide. What is plan B we now have that force. to confirm a Federal judge, which had there? That is the force that the Senator not been the practice throughout the I hope after the show is over tomor- from Illinois wants to withdraw within history of this great country. I understand about the 60-vote re- row morning sometime—and it is clear 120 days. quirement. Nobody is surprised by this. to all that we will not set a 120-day We can conduct detailed kinetic strikes, We have already had 60-vote votes withdrawal date from Iraq on this leg- we can do cordon and searches, and we can taken on amendments on this bill. deny the enemy sanctuaries . . . If those islation—we will then be able to sit First, before the majority whip down and move forward on the bill so surge forces go away that capability goes away, and the Iraqi security forces aren’t leaves, let me ask unanimous consent that we can get it passed into law. that the cloture vote scheduled for the That is what we should be doing. To ready yet to do that [mission]. Brent Scowcroft, who opposed our morning occur at 5:30 this afternoon. somehow think that we have not re- Mr. DURBIN. I object. quired, as the majority leader on many entry into the Iraq conflict: Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I have occasions required, 60 votes for passage [reduction of American presence in Iraq] not yielded the floor, so I wish to go of an amendment or legislation, of should follow success in our efforts, not the ahead and complete my remarks on the calendar or the performance of others. course, flies in the face of the clear broader issues that have been raised record which I have just asked to be I hope that sometime my friends who here. printed in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. were involved in this debate will listen We debated in March and April and America is now at a crossroads. to the people we have delegated to lead May whether we should confirm Gen- America is now at a point where, ac- the best Armed Forces in the history of eral Petraeus, whether we should go cording to Natan Sharansky: mankind who are doing one of the most forward with the funds that our troops A precipitous withdrawal of U.S. forces difficult jobs in history. needed to do the job, and whether the could lead to a bloodbath . . . I yield the floor. surge could go forward. The vote was 80 From Anthony Zinni, who was op- Mr. LOTT. Madam President, I have to 14 in May to go forward with trying posed to us going into Iraq: been waiting 1 hour to respond to some to bring down the violence, get control . . . reality is that we simply cannot pull out comments that were directed at me. and, of course, encourage the Iraqi gov- [of Iraq], as much as we may want to. The The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ernment to do more. We confirmed consequences of a destabilized and chaotic ator from Mississippi. General Petraeus unanimously. They Iraq, sitting in a critical region of the world, Mr. LOTT. I had hoped that in this are already saying the surge has failed could have catastrophic implications . . . debate and in this Congress, we would when, as a matter of fact, the troops there is no short-term solution. be able to maintain some semblance, that were supposed to be involved in We have a system of government some modicum of courtesy. But it ap- that effort have only been there for where the military is subordinate to pears we have lost it all. I have been in some 3 weeks. So I think it is pre- the civilian leadership, and it should Congress 35 years. I have been in the mature and unfair to the men and be. It is the most appropriate way. But Senate 19 years. I have been in a vari- women who are there on the ground to completely ignore, as apparently my ety of positions. Never before have I doing the job. We need to have the de- friend from Illinois is, the leaders been denied or did I ever deny any Sen- bate, allow both sides to have their whom we have appointed to fight over ator the opportunity to have a reserva- say, but it is going to require 60 votes, there and do the dying and carry out tion on his right to object to a unani- and then we can go on to the under- the leadership responsibilities, to com- mous consent request. Now that has oc- lying bill. pletely ignore their advice and counsel, curred. So that courtesy, one of the few This is the Defense authorization they are on the ground. They know remaining ones we have left in this in- bill. Every year we pass the Defense what is going on. stitution, is gone. authorization bill. Yet I think we have General Lynch, 3rd ID commander, Let me correct some of the things had maybe one amendment even con- says: that have been said here that the sidered that has to do with the under- [pulling out before the mission was accom- record will show, certainly, in the de- lying bill, which provides funds and au- plished] would be a mess. bate. The other side speaks about a thorization for our troops for the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9327 equipment they need, the supplies, the 2005 Defense authorization, of the 30 next year—transitioning by April 1 to a ships, the planes, the pay raise, and amendments on which there were roll- different force; not the combat force quality of life. That is something we call votes, only 2 required an extraor- we know now caught in the midst of a have to come to terms with. We have dinary majority of 60 votes, both re- civil war but a force with the specified to have a debate on amendments that quiring budget waivers. In 2005 when mission of fighting al-Qaida and other affect this bill. We could work out how we considered the Defense authoriza- terrorism, of helping transition the to do that. tion bill for 2006, for 25 amendments Iraqi Army to self-defense, and pro- Somebody said amendments are they were simple majority votes. None tecting our own men and women and being blocked. As a matter of fact, Sen- required 60 votes. In 2006, when consid- our assets and security during this ator LEVIN and Senator MCCAIN are ering the fiscal year 2007 Defense au- transition. Those things are all in- clearing amendments right now. The thorization bill, 15 amendments, only 2 cluded in this bill. So this notion that process is underway. So I would say I required 60 votes. They related to the somehow in a matter of 120 days all the am very disappointed in the way this minimum wage. They required budget troops will be gone, that isn’t even en- issue is being handled. I must say I am waivers. Those are the only 2. visioned in the Levin-Reed amend- even surprised we have allowed it to Let me also correct the record. When ment. deteriorate to this level, but I think we the Senator from Arizona says we don’t So I would say to my friend from Ari- will get through it. The Congress is not take up the war in Iraq on the Defense zona: Yes, I guess my patience has going to precipitously mandate that authorization bill, I would remind him worn thin. I guess I have heard from our troops begin to be withdrawn. We that in the last Defense authorization too many generals such as those are going to go forward and allow them bill, there were two specific amend- quoted by the Senator from Arizona the time to do the job. In September ments offered relative to the conduct that they just need a little more time. and October we will debate this issue of the war in Iraq—on this very bill I have seen what time has cost us. It again, as we should. But to come back last year: one by Senator LEVIN and has cost us American lives. It has cost again after having just voted in May to Senator REED, another by Senator us serious, debilitating injuries. It has allow us to go forward and say here we JOHN KERRY, both of which only re- cost us a great deal in terms of our na- are in July and the surge has failed, I quired a majority vote. tional treasure and resources. I think think that is a terrible mistake. I would say from the Senator from it is time for a change of policy, and so I yield the floor. Arizona’s point of view, there is scant do the American people. They said that Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, evidence to support his position that in the last election. They don’t want us since the minority whip is ready to No. 1, we never considered Iraq on De- to dream up procedural obstacles to vote, I ask unanimous consent to vote fense authorization bills—we just did keep us from this decision. They want on the Levin-Reed amendment No. 2087 last year; No. 2, we always require 60 us to vote up or down to change the at 6 p.m. with the time between now votes when it comes to amendments on policy or keep the policy. That is what and then equally divided in the usual the bills. Six times in 7 years we did, we were sent here to do. form. each one because of a budget issue that I hope the Republican side of the Mr. LOTT. I object, Madam Presi- is not involved in the Levin amend- aisle, as they initiate this filibuster, as dent. ment. they try to stop us from coming to a Mr. MCCAIN. Reserving the right to Let me say a word about the other majority vote on the Levin-Reed object, Madam President. things said by the Senator from Ari- amendment, understand that America The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- zona before yielding the floor. I respect sees that clearly. tion is heard. the men and women in uniform. I have I yield the floor. Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, the been to Iraq twice. I have visited with The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- objection is heard, and I think it is them. I have been to send-offs in my ator from Arizona is recognized. very clear. You cannot object to the State of Illinois as National Guard Mr. MCCAIN. The Senator from Illi- vote, say you are ready to vote, and units have been activated. I have been nois—and this is growing a little weari- then object to the vote. You cannot there to welcome them home. I carry some, it really is. The fact is, 60 votes have it both ways. on many conversations with the Illi- have been invoked by the minority The fact is, when you look at these nois soldiers overseas. I keep in touch time after time after time, whether it past votes on the Defense authoriza- with their families. I respect them very be a district judge or an appellate tion bill, they don’t make the case that much. But to say this is the first time court judge, or most any other issue the Senator from Arizona and the Sen- we have heard from generals in Iraq that is controversial. The Senator from ator from Mississippi say. I will go that they just need another 6 months Illinois knows that, and that is why it through each one of them: or another year, I think the Senator is very disappointing to see him using For the year 2000, considering the fis- from Arizona knows better. We have this kind of rhetoric when he is willing cal year 2001 Defense authorization been told this over and over again: to have 60 votes be required for some bill, of 14 amendments on which there When they stand up, we will stand judge but somehow feels—which they were rollcall votes, only 1 required 60 down. Do you remember that one? How did invoke when they were in the mi- votes because it involved a budget many years have we been hearing that? nority—and yet feels that it is not ap- waiver. In 2001, when we considered the How many hundreds of millions of dol- propriate to have 60 votes on an issue fiscal year 2002 Defense authorization lars have we put into Iraq for training of this importance. bill, of the 2 amendments on which Iraqi Army soldiers? Yet we are still The Senator from Illinois talks about there were rollcall votes, all were sim- there with a larger force today than beginning the withdrawal in 120 days, ple majorities; no 60-vote require- there we were just a year ago. beginning the withdrawal in 120 days. ments. In 2002, for the 2003 Defense au- So when my colleague argues that The day that is signed into law would thorization bill, of the 5 amendments just a little more time is all they need, be the day—would be the day, in the on which there were rollcall votes, only I hope he will understand the skep- view of every military expert, that al- 1 60-vote requirement; again, a specific ticism of the American people and Qaida would sit back and wait until we budget waiver, which is not the case many Members of the Senate. We have left. with the pending amendment. In 2003, heard this before over and over again. The Senator from Illinois continues when we considered the 2004 Defense I also want to take issue with one to call it a civil war. There is sectarian authorization, of the 10 amendments on point the Senator from Arizona said— violence. There is very little doubt in which there were rollcall votes, all and I am sure he didn’t mean to mis- the minds—of course, perhaps the Sen- were simple majorities; no 60-vote re- lead anyone. We are not talking about ator from Illinois and others know quirements. In 2004, with the 2005 De- withdrawing the troops in 120 days, more than literally every expert I fense authorization, of the 30 amend- which is what has been said over and know. It has become, in the words of ments on which there were rollcall over again. The Levin-Reed amend- General Petraeus, a center for al-Qaida votes, all were simple majorities; no 60- ment begins the withdrawal of troops and a central front in the war on ter- vote requirements. In 2004, with the in 120 days, completing it on April 1 of ror, according to our leading generals.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9328 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 Now, I resent a little bit this com- the political peace can take hold and Iraqi Madam President, it has been more ment by the Senator from Illinois sources can hold this for the long term. than 4 years since the United States in- about he has heard the generals before. I want to point out to my colleagues vaded Iraq. Despite a military victory I heard the generals before, and I dis- that I am not guaranteeing success. I that toppled Saddam Hussein and rout- agreed with the generals, and that is wish it had gone better. I think there ed his army, Iraq soon became victim our right to do. But to denigrate their are areas, particularly as far as the to a Sunni insurgency, to Shiite mili- opinion I don’t think is appropriate to government is concerned, where dra- tias bent on revenge, and became vic- people who spend their lives in the matic improvement has to take place. tim to an incursion of al-Qaida terror- service of the military, defending this But I do know the consequences of fail- ists whose actions were aimed and are Nation. General Petraeus, it is my un- ure, and that view of setting a date for aimed at promoting an Iraqi civil war. derstanding, has been wounded three withdrawal is a clear recipe for a much As the situation on the ground has times in different wars fighting for this larger conflict with much greater in- shifted, so has President Bush’s ration- Nation. I think he deserves respect volvement in the region over time. ale for our involvement. He took us rather than being dismissed by saying: So when the Senator from Illinois into Iraq to get rid of Saddam Hussein Well, I have heard the generals say and my friends on the other side of the and his weapons of mass destruction. that before. We should pay attention to aisle talk about how this won’t be When no weapons of mass destruction the generals. We should have paid at- withdrawal if this is passed, I say: My were found, the President said we need- tention to the generals at other times friends, this is withdrawal. This is the ed to create a democracy in Iraq. Now in our history, including those who dis- message to those people who have to the President says we must stay on to agreed with the former Secretary of remain in the neighborhood: We are fight al-Qaida. Defense, Secretary Rumsfeld. leaving and you are going to have to The President had a pre-surge strat- Again, I repeat, since we seem to be make adjustments to the neighborhood egy, a surge strategy, and now he has going in a certain circularity, condi- and the new big guys on the block. offered a post-surge strategy. What has Again, I wish we could take up this tions in Iraq today are terrible, but remained constant in all of these strat- issue in September. I wish we could they become way worse as the U.S. egies is one thing: They all have an pass the necessary legislation to care Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, a open-ended commitment of U.S. forces for the men and women who are wound- career foreign service officer, recently in the middle of Iraq’s civil war. ed. I wish we could pass the necessary told the New York Times. I am quoting That open-ended commitment of a legislation in order to take care of the from the Washington Post editorial of Muslim country by the West has played needs of the men and women in the just a few days ago: right into the hands of al-Qaida. In- military. If we pass this bill this deed, the intelligence community is re- The generals who have devised— week—I tell my colleagues we are cently reported to have concluded that The generals whom the Senator from going to be going into the August re- the years of our occupation of Iraq Illinois derides— cess. We will be coming back in Sep- have seen a surge of al-Qaida in Iraq. The generals who have devised a new strat- tember with probably a very conten- It has come at a staggering cost—the egy believe they are making fitful progress tious conference with the House. The loss of more than 3,600 of America’s in calming Baghdad, training the Iraqi chances right now of us getting final best and bravest, seven times that Army, and encouraging anti-al-Qaida coali- passage and the President’s signature many wounded, and a price of $10 bil- tions. Before Congress begins managing rota- on this bill by the first of October is tion schedules and ordering withdrawals, it lion each month. In spite of the heroic should at least give those generals the not good. So the sooner we get this bill efforts of the U.S. service men and months they ask for to see whether their off the floor and to the President, the women, chaos and destruction have strategy can offer some new hope. better off we are going to be. deepened in Iraq. Why do you think the Washington I certainly hope we will take into Yet, month after month, year after Post and literally most every national consideration the great needs that are year, the President has touted progress security expert feels that this ought to existing in the military today. in Iraq and called for patience. It has I yield the floor. be given an opportunity, remembering been a litany of delusion. Just listen to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- President Bush’s repeated claims of that the last part of it has just been ator from Michigan is recognized. put in place a short time ago? Because progress. Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, to- In October of 2003, President Bush the consequences of failure, as I have morrow’s vote in the Senate is not a said: just quoted from many military ex- vote on the Levin-Reed amendment. It perts, are a catastrophe. We are making progress about improving is a vote on whether the Senate will the lives of the people there in Iraq. General Lynch says: allow us to vote on the Levin-Reed On September 25, 2004, the President What the Iraqis are worried about is our amendment. It is a vote on whether the said: leaving. And our answer is: We are staying, Senate will break a filibuster so that because my order from the Corps Com- the Senate can express its will, which I We’re making steady progress in imple- mander is that we don’t leave the battle menting our five-step plan toward the goal space until we can hand over to the Iraqi se- think is totally clear and reflects the we all want: completing the mission so that curity forces. Everybody wants things to will of the American people as ex- Iraq is stable and self-governing, and Amer- happen overnight, and that is not going to pressed last November. ican troops can come home. . . . happen. A change in course in Iraq is critical On April 28, 2005, the President said: for our national security. If you think So when the amendment of the Sen- I believe we’re really making progress in ator from Illinois and the Senator from the present course is working, if you Iraq. . . . think we are making progress, as the Rhode Island and the Senator from On October 28, 2005, the President President has said month after month, Michigan is passed, then the word is said: spread and General Lynch can no year after year, then presumably you are going to vote against the Levin- Iraq has made incredible political progress. longer say to the Iraqis we are staying, ... Reed amendment—if we can ever get to because we will be leaving. On November 14, 2005, the President General Odierno says: a vote on the Levin-Reed amendment. But if you believe that changing course said: My assessment right now is, I need more is the only hope of success in Iraq, that Iraqis are making inspiring progress to- time to understand how the current offensive ward building a democracy. forcing the political leaders of Iraq to targeting al-Qaida and Iraq terrorists is On May 25, 2006, the President said: working and how it could lead to political accept responsibility for their nation We are making progress on all fronts. progress in the months ahead. and to work out the political settle- On March 19, 2007, the President said: Odierno said: ments that could prevent this violence from continuing and lead to the ulti- There has been good progress. I am seeing some progress now here in Iraq. We have really just started what the mate success in Iraq, and if we can get The exaggeration and the hype con- Iraqis term ‘‘liberating’’ them from al-Qaida. to the Levin-Reed amendment and tinues to this day. On June 28, a few What I’ve got to determine is what do I need break the filibuster, then you will be weeks ago, the White House press re- in order to continue that progress so that voting yes. lease stated:

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9329 The Iraqi security forces are growing in troops are buying them time to pursue Constitutional Review Committee number, becoming more capable, and coming reconciliation and that, frankly, we are would complete its work by January closer to the day when they can assume re- disappointed in the progress thus far.’’ 2007 and hold a constitutional amend- sponsibility for defending their own country. Secretary Gates was accurate in saying ment referendum by March of this But in the benchmark assessment re- that ‘‘our troops are buying [the Iraqis] year. They did not do what they prom- port released last week we read: time to pursue reconciliation.’’ But ised they would do. There has been a slight reduction in units what he left unsaid is that our troops This is not us imposing our bench- assessed as capable of independent oper- and our Nation have paid, and continue marks on them, this is the Iraqi polit- ations since January 2007. to pay, far too high a price to give the ical leaders who adopted their bench- That is referring to Iraqi units. Even Iraqis that opportunity, and the time marks, and have not met them. that turned out to be an exaggeration. is long past due for the Iraqi political I ask unanimous consent that my let- Just 2 days later, the Chairman of the leaders to accept responsibility for ter to Secretary Rice and her response Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter their own future. be printed in the RECORD at the conclu- Pace, told the press that the number of Secretary Gates’ statement that we sion of my remarks. Iraqi Army brigades that were capable are ‘‘disappointed in the progress’’ was The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without of independent operations had fallen surely an immense understatement. objection, it is so ordered. from 10 to 6—quite a difference from a (See exhibit 1.) The American people are downright in- Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, while ‘‘slight reduction.’’ censed at the failure of the Iraqi lead- Madam President, one merely has to our troops have done everything, and ers. more, of what has been asked of them, take note of recent incidents in Iraq as Everybody agrees there is no mili- reported in our newspapers to know while they have risked their all and tary solution in Iraq and that the only given their all, the Iraqi political lead- that things are not going well in Iraq way to end the violence is for the Iraqi and that the administration’s assess- ers remain frozen by their own history, political leaders to settle their dif- unwilling to take the political risks ments of progress have been consist- ferences. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri ently overblown through the years and that only they can take. al-Maliki acknowledged that last No- If there is any hope of forcing the continue to be overblown. vember when he said—and these words Iraqi political leaders to take responsi- Consider the headline in USA Today should be seared, I believe, into the bility for their own country and to on July 12: ‘‘Iraqi police assist gun- consciousness of each of us as we vote, keep the commitments they made to men.’’ The story described our Army if we are ever allowed to vote on the meet the political benchmarks that investigation into a January attack in Levin-Reed amendment. Here is what they set and to make the compromises Karbala that killed five U.S. soldiers. he said: that only they can make, it is to have Our investigation concluded that the The crisis is political, and the ones who a timetable to begin reducing Amer- Iraqi police who were supposed to be can stop the cycle of . . . bloodletting of in- ican forces and to redeploy those forces partners with American troops nocents are the [Iraqi] politicians. to a more limited support mission in- colluded with insurgents. Our service men and women are stead of being everybody’s target in the Then there was this story in the New dying and being wounded while Iraqi middle of a civil war. York Times on July 14: ‘‘U.S. Troops leaders dawdle. The Iraqis themselves We need to send a clear message to Battle Iraqi Police in East Baghdad.’’ made commitments to share resources the Iraqi leaders that we will not be in Those are the police who are supposed and power, amend their constitution, Iraq indefinitely, that we will not be to be on our side trying to quell the vi- hold provincial elections, and take their security blanket forever. That is olence in Baghdad, not attacking over responsibility for their own secu- what the Levin-Reed amendment would American troops. rity in many more places than they do if we are allowed to vote on it. Our On the all-important area of political have. They made the commitments last amendment would require the Presi- benchmarks, consider this headline year in writing, but they have not kept dent to begin reducing the number of from the Financial Times of June 18: them. American troops in Iraq within 4 ‘‘U.S. Military Frustrated at Lack of Secretary of State Rice recently con- months of enactment. Iraqi Reconciliation.’’ The story re- firmed in a letter to me that Iraqi lead- It would require transitioning the ports that General Petraeus said there ers themselves, including their Presi- mission of our remaining military has not been any ‘‘real substantial dency Council, had approved those forces to force protection, training of achievements in terms of political re- benchmarks and the associated Iraqi security forces, and targeted form in progress.’’ timeline. Secretary Rice wrote me: counterterrorism missions. Our amend- Reuters reported on June 18 that Iraq ment would require that the transition was ranked the second most unstable We have confirmed with Iraqi President Talabani’s chief of staff that the benchmarks to those limited missions be completed country in the world behind Sudan in were formally approved last fall by the Iraqi by April 30 of next year. Finally, and the 2007 Failed States Index, produced political committee on national security. importantly, it would call for a com- by Foreign Policy magazine. Failed This committee includes the presidency prehensive diplomatic, political, and state? Obviously, we don’t want Iraq to council, the President, and the two vice economic strategy, including sustained be left as a failed state. It is failing. It presidents, as well as the leaders of all the engagement with Iraq’s neighbors and is on a failing course. If we don’t major political blocs in Iraq. seeking an appointment of an inter- change that course, it is going to con- Well, the Iraqi leaders’ record on national mediator under the auspices tinue to descend into that failed sta- meeting the political timelines, which of the U.N. Security Council in order to tus. they approved themselves with a try to bring stability to Iraq. The administration’s recent self-as- timeline, is abysmal. Some have criticized our amendment sessment of benchmarks that there is For example, they said they would because it contains a timeline for the progress on 8 of the 18 benchmarks approve provincial elections and set a completion of the transition to new would have us believe that the cup in date for those elections by October of missions. We received similar criticism Iraq is half full rather than being half 2006. That has not been accomplished. in the past about the timeline for the empty. Eight of eighteen—that sounds They didn’t do what they promised commencement of the transition. pretty good, like progress. But as a they would do. Timelines need to be established as the matter of fact, Iraq is a cup with a hole The Iraqi political leaders said they only way to force a change of course in in its bottom. We keep pouring in our would approve the hydrocarbon law by Iraq and to force the Iraqis to accept men and women and resources, and October 2006. That was not done. That responsibility for their own future. It there is a hole in the bottom of that has not been accomplished. They didn’t is human nature to put off difficult de- cup through which they go. do what they said they would do. The cisions. Passage of our amendment It is that Iraqi hole that Secretary Iraqi leaders said they would approve a would serve as a forcing mechanism Gates addressed on June 14 in Baghdad debaathification law by November 2006. and serve to stimulate action by the when he said the message he was deliv- They didn’t do what they promised to Iraqi Government to reach a political ering to the Iraqi people was that ‘‘our do. The Iraqi political leaders said the settlement.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9330 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 Delaying action until the receipt of There are some who acknowledge benchmarks that they’ve laid out for them- the administration’s plan in September that a change of course is needed in selves. We didn’t come up with them. They would only delay the time when Con- Iraq, including U.S. troop reductions came up with them. And they need to be seen gress applies the needed pressure. but who then say not now. But surely in the eyes of the Iraqi people as delivering for the Iraqi people.’’ There is no indication that Iraqi polit- time is not working for us in Iraq. The It seems to me that it would make a dif- ical leaders will compromise without sooner we shift strategy to force Iraqis ference if the benchmarks and associated our pressure. Indeed, there is every in- to take responsibility, the better. timeline were only approved by an advisory dication they will not. As Secretary If we wish to improve the chance of a group as compared to the Presidency Coun- Gates stated in April: positive report on political progress in cil. Accordingly, please confirm that the Debate in Congress . . . has been helpful in September, we need to put great pres- benchmarks and associated timeline, which demonstrating to the Iraqis that American sure on Iraqi political leaders in July. you attached to your January 30, 2007 letter, patience is limited . . . The debate itself and We cannot and must not continue to were reaffirmed by the Presidency Council . . . the strong feelings expressed in the Con- have the lives of American service- after being agreed upon by the Policy Com- gress about the timetable probably has had a members held hostage to Iraqi political mittee on National Security, as stated in positive effect in terms of communicating to intrigue and intransigence. your letter. the Iraqis that this is not an open-ended Thank you for your assistance. commitment. If we can get to the Levin-Reed amendment, if we can overcome the fil- Sincerely, There is no indication the adminis- ibuster, and if we can adopt the Levin- CARL LEVIN, tration is willing to change course. For Reed amendment which provides for Chairman. years, they have deluded themselves the beginning of the reduction of our and the Nation with claims of progress THE SECRETARY OF STATE, forces in Iraq in 120 days and while Iraqis descended into sectarian Washington, DC, June 13, 2007. transitioning to more limited missions, violence and chaos. On July 4, Presi- Hon. CARL LEVIN, no more than 120 days after enactment, Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, dent Bush repeated his call for patience if we can adopt an amendment which U.S. Senate. which he has made so many times over says we will complete that transition DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Thank you for your the years. by April 30, 2008, if we can adopt our letter inquiring about the benchmarks that After more than 4 years, over 3,600 amendment which provides for the ap- the Government of Iraq set for itself last U.S. deaths, seven times that many fall. pointment of an international medi- wounded, and expenditures of $10 bil- As you mentioned, I sent to you a letter in ator under U.N. auspices, we believe we lion a month that we are borrowing January in which I noted that Iraq’s Polit- will have passed the best chance of suc- from the future to finance this war in ical Committee on National Security agreed cess in Iraq, and we will have adopted upon a set of benchmarks and an associated Iraq, the President’s pleas for patience the only course of action which has a timeline, which were reaffirmed by the Iraqi not only have a hollow ring, it is ex- chance of pressuring the Iraqi leaders Presidency Council in October 2006. actly the wrong message to the Iraqi to do what only they can do. We have confirmed with Iraqi President leaders. Our message should be we are The clock is ticking. We are losing Talabani’s Chief of Staff that the bench- out of patience, and the refusal of the marks were formally approved last fall by more American lives and more Amer- the Iraqi Political Committee on National Iraqi leaders to work out their political ican resources every day we delay. The differences is something which is no Security. This committee includes the Presi- time has come to set deadlines, to re- dency Council—the President and the two longer acceptable. duce our forces in Iraq, to transition to Vice Presidents—as well as the leaders of all Congress attempted to respond to the new limited missions, and to em- the major political blocs in Iraq. The Iraqi last November’s election with a vote bark on a comprehensive, diplomatic, Presidency Council then posted the bench- that we made on April 26. We adopted political, and economic strategy to marks on its website for several months. a bill that did provide a timetable to bring stability to Iraq. Thank you for your interest in this issue. begin the reduction of U.S. forces in Please feel free to contact us on this or any I yield the floor. matter of concern to you. Iraq, the beginning of a phased troop EXHIBIT 1 reduction, redeployment in no more Sincerely, U.S. SENATE, CONDOLEEZZA RICE. than 120 days, and a transition to a COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES, more limited mission focusing on coun- Washington, DC, May 9, 2007. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- terterrorism, force protection, and Hon. CONDOLEEZZA RICE, ator from Arizona. training and logistical support for the Secretary of State, Mr. MCCAIN. Madam President, yes- Iraqi Army. President Bush vetoed our Washington, DC. terday a man whom I had the oppor- bill shortly thereafter. DEAR MADAM SECRETARY: I am writing in tunity of meeting and knowing a little Senator MCCONNELL made a state- connection with your letter of January 20, bit, British Army Lieutenant General ment which was, I believe, very direct 2007 in which you advised me regarding a set Jim Lamb—General Lamb is the Dep- of benchmarks that the Government of Iraq uty Commander of Multinational and very accurate, when he assessed has set for itself. not too long ago that ‘‘the handwriting You wrote that ‘‘Iraq’s Policy Committee Forces Iraq and senior British military is on the wall that we are going in a on National Security agreed upon a set of po- representative in Iraq—was asked by different direction in the fall.’’ That litical, security, and economic benchmarks Jamie McIntyre of CNN about how Presidential veto does not wash away and an associated timeline in September ‘‘the growing sentiment in our Con- the handwriting on the wall. It only 2006. These were reaffirmed by the Presi- gress to bring U.S. troops home soon- dency Council on October 16, 2006, and ref- er’’ affected the mood of his troops de- makes the handwriting clearer and erenced by the Iraq Study Group; the rel- firmer that there is going to be a evant document (enclosed) was posted at ployed in Iraq, meaning the British change of direction in Iraq. that time on the President of Iraq’s troops. Lieutenant General Lamb re- So the question is: Why wait? Why website.’’ sponded that those troops find it ‘‘a not decide on a change of course now to Yesterday, I met with Mowaffak al-Rubaie, touch difficult.’’ I think that is a very save months of lost and wounded lives Prime Minister Maliki’s national security interesting phrase, ‘‘a touch difficult,’’ and huge additional expenditure of adviser. During the course of our meeting, because while it is so clear to them Dr. Rubaie stated that the Presidency Coun- that we are making progress, it is not funds? cil never reaffirmed the benchmarks. He was The clearer the handwriting on the adamant on this point even after I showed reflected by those who are not in the wall is to the Iraqi political leaders and him the statement in your letter. fight but are sitting back and making the quicker they read it and accept it, This is an important point as the Presi- judgment upon what they, the troops, the greater the prospect for political dency Council, whose three members, Presi- can see with absolute clarity. settlement. dent Jalal Talabani (Kurd), Deputy Presi- Lieutenant General Lamb noted that The clearer the handwriting on the dent ‘Adil ‘Abd al-Mahdi (Shia Muslim) and those making such judgments and not wall is that the open-ended commit- Deputy President Tariq al-Hashimi (Sunni taking note of the progress ‘‘are not ment of President Bush is over, not Muslim), are elected by the Council of Rep- going out every day in a humvee.’’ resentatives and represent the three major just rhetorically but in reality, the ethnic groups of the country. Moreover, he further noted that the greater chance that an even wider civil Earlier today, State Department Spokes- progress the troops see is seldom re- war can be avoided. man Sean McCormack stated ‘‘These are the ported. They see provincial counselors,

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I could this stuff that no one portrays. lines and watch another genocide? argue that the State of Israel is prob- I say to my friend from Michigan and What if, I say to my colleague who ably in more jeopardy from a national the Senator from Illinois and others, I often asks me what is plan B, the surge security standpoint than at any time hope they pay a little attention to doesn’t work? What is plan B if the in its history, since that very young General Lamb’s statement or reject it withdrawal doesn’t work? nation achieved its independence. out of hand, of course, as apparently is I don’t think that most people would So what happens in the region when being done. believe that an international mediator we adopt the Levin-Reed resolution, I have to repeat, General Lamb re- is exactly a solution that is viable. and the signal is sent throughout the sponded that his troops find it ‘‘a touch I wish to talk a minute about the re- region ‘‘don’t worry, the Americans are difficult.’’ While it is so clear to them gion. Finally, after our stunning mili- leaving.’’ I think the consequences are we are making progress, it is not re- tary victory and shock and awe and the fairly obvious. So we are not just talk- flected by those who are not in the invasion side of the conflict was over, ing about Iraq, as serious and con- fight but are sitting back and making America was in pretty good shape in sequential as that situation is. We are judgment upon what they, the troops, the region. The Syrians were trying to talking about the region. It is hard for can see with absolute clarity. be cooperative. There were efforts on me to believe the Sunnis would not in- I don’t think I have to editorialize the part of the Iranians to join with us tervene to protect Sunnis if there is a anymore on General Lamb’s, I think, in efforts to bring about an end to ter- bloodletting in Baghdad, where 2 mil- totally accurate statements. rorism in the region. Then we began to lion Sunni reside and 4 million Shia. The New York Post reported on July fail, and that failure has, obviously, But according to the premise of the 10 an interview with General Petraeus. been chronicled in many books. I rec- Levin-Reed amendment, this will force He is asked by Ralph Peters, a person ommend to my colleagues the book the Iraqi Government to act and to for whom I have enormous respect: ‘‘Fiasco’’ or ‘‘Cobra II’’ or a number of control their own destiny. The current military operations in Iraq ap- other books that have been written My question is: What do we do if they pear comprehensive and tenacious, part of a that describe the failed Rumsfeld strat- can’t? What do we do if they can’t? long-term, integrated plan. What can we re- egy. We paid a very heavy price for it. Some of my colleagues have talked alistically expect to achieve? All of us know that. It has been the about this ‘‘gradual withdrawal.’’ A Petraeus: Our primary goal is to work with sacrifice of our most precious asset. gradual withdrawal. I think most mili- our Iraqi counterparts to improve security What has happened since? We find tary experts would tell you that the for the Iraqi people. This is intended to give the Syrians continuing to intervene in most difficult operation in military the Iraqi leaders the time to resolve the northern Lebanon. We find the Syrians, tough political issues they face and to pur- tactics and strategy is a ‘‘gradual with- sue internal reconciliation. according to many experts, trans- drawal.’’ It is fraught with difficulty. porting suicide bombers through the He goes on to say: When an army is defeated, and an army airport in Damascus into Iraq. We find tries to come home, it is the most dif- As to reasonable expectations, we can ex- the Iranians not only orchestrating at- pect a reduction in sectarian deaths and the ficult of all military operations. gradual spread of Iraqi government author- tacks and providing intelligence and So I think that as we discuss this ity. The level of sectarian deaths in Baghdad even money and funding, in some cases, specific amendment and the issue of in June was the lowest in about a year. Nev- but there is clear and compelling evi- whether we stay or go in Iraq, whether ertheless, the extremists still have been able dence that the IEDs, the most lethal we allow the new strategy of General to carry out car bomb and other attacks. IEDs are exported from Iran into Iraq, Petraeus and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Wherever we operate, we try to reconnect those that have the lethality even of a chance to succeed, which calls for a Iraqi ministries and local governments to going through the armor of a tank. We surge in Iraq, while we debate this, I meet the needs of the people. Finally, we find the Iranians more aggressive in provide opportunities for Iraqis to use their don’t think we should ignore the larger local knowledge to help root out al Qaeda. the region with Iranian support for implications for the region. I believe, Successful operations of this nature have Hezbollah and Hamas. The Syrians con- and I cannot absolutely predict the fu- played out in recent months in Ramadi, Hit tinue to try to unsettle the Govern- ture, but a failure in Iraq, according to and Baquba. In each case, Iraqis turned ment of Lebanon, and the Government most experts, would lead to a chaotic against al Qaeda and sided with the Coali- of Lebanon is having great difficulties. and unsettled situation in the region. tion. There is a U.N. Security Council res- So I would at least ask for my col- Question: olution that calls for the disarmament leagues’ consideration of an article by Now that the surge is fully in place, what’s of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Stephen Biddle in the Washington Post your sense of the positives and negatives There has been no effort whatsoever to on July 11, entitled ‘‘Iraq: Go Deep or thus far? If you could have more of any one achieve the goals set forth in that U.N. Get Out.’’ I think perhaps we ought to item, what would it be? Troops? Time? Iraqi Security Council resolution. In fact, start looking at this situation from unity? there is strong evidence that Hezbollah that respect. Mr. Biddle, in his piece, General Petraeus’s answer: in southern Lebanon is being resup- says: I can think of few commanders in history plied with the rockets they expended in The result has been a search for some kind who wouldn’t have wanted more troops, their latest attack on Israel which pro- of politically moderate ‘‘Plan B’’ that would more time or more unity among their part- voked an attack on Israel. We find the split the difference between surge and with- ners; however, if I could only have one at Saudis becoming more and more un- drawal. this point in Iraq, it would be more time. easy. We once had a report—that fortu- I think that adequately describes the I repeat, General Petraeus said: nately turned out to be false—that the Reed-Levin amendment. . . . if I could only have one at this point Turks had crossed over into the Kurd- The problem is that these politics do not in Iraq, it would be more time. This is an ex- ish areas because of Kurdish insurgents fit the military reality of Iraq. Many would ceedingly tough endeavor that faces count- who are operating out of the Turkish like to reduce the U.S. commitment to some- less challenges. areas, at least according to the Turks. thing like half of today’s troop presence So what does the Levin-Reed amend- So we have seen, because of our failure there. But it is much harder to find a mis- ment do? Deny General Petraeus ex- in Iraq, more strife, more conflict, and sion for the remaining 60,000 to 80,000 soldiers actly that. As Senator LEVIN points more threats to the State of Israel. that makes any sense militarily. out in his statement, the announced Meanwhile, the Iranians continue on Perhaps the most popular centrist option withdrawal would force the Iraqi Gov- the path to develop nuclear weapons. A today is drawn from the Baker-Hamilton commission recommendations of last Decem- ernment to act and, therefore, then we great fear of many of us is not a nu- ber. This would withdraw U.S. combat bri- would see progress. What if, I say to clear weapon aimed at Israel from Iran. gades, shift the American mission from one my colleagues who support this amend- One of our great fears is a nuclear of training and supporting the Iraqi security ment, what if instead the situation de- weapon passed to a terrorist organiza- forces, and cut total U.S. troop levels in the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9332 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 country by about half. This idea is at the He must have been beside himself last come critical of the policy in Iraq. heart of the proposed legislative effort that February when Prime Minister Blair Their support is eroding, and similarly Domenici threw his support behind last announced the reduction of British the Iraqi people. week, and support is growing on both sides of forces. In fact, Prime Minister Blair So you have a situation now where the aisle on Capitol Hill. stated at that time that 7,100 troops the logic and the premise for the surge, The politics make sense, but the would be drawn down to approximately for the troop levels we are maintaining compromise leaves us with an unten- 5,500. That is down from a level of in Iraq, was the fact there would be po- able military mission. Without a major 40,000. litical progress. Since January, to date U.S. combat effort to keep the violence So at the time that the British are there has not been political progress. I down, the American training effort withdrawing troops, we are trying to daresay there is very few, if any, of my would face challenges even bigger than surge troops. I think the general’s peak colleagues that will argue that between those our troops are confronting today. or discomfort is somewhat misplaced now and September 15 we will see re- An ineffective training effort would with the United States. I think it markable progress by the Iraqi Govern- leave tens of thousands of American should more properly be directed to ment. Indeed, it is suspected, con- trainers, advisers, and supporting Prime Minister Blair. firmed practically, that the Iraqi As- troops exposed to that violence in the But let me get on with issues that I sembly will adjourn in August for the meantime. The net result is likely to want to address, and that is to try to month. So the reality is that on these be continued U.S. casualties with little clarify from my perspective some of critical issues of political will and deci- positive effect on Iraq’s ongoing civil the concepts and terms that have been siveness and political progress, we will war. talked about. One is a repeated ref- know nothing in September that we do It is unrealistic to expect that we can pull erence to General Petraeus’s plan. The not know now. back to some safe yet productive mission of President makes it, and my colleagues Given the incredibly complicated po- training but not fighting—this would be nei- make it. This is the President’s plan. litical system, the incredibly com- ther safe nor productive. General Petraeus was asked specifi- plicated institutional challenges facing So, Madam President, I think we cally in his confirmation hearing what the Iraqi Government, the notion that ought to look at what we are dis- role he played, and here was his an- we will know more even at the end of cussing here not only from the stand- swer. this year or the beginning of next year point of Iraq but the implications for I met with the Secretary of Defense a cou- is doubtful. Without this political our presence in the region. And I will ple days after he took office and before he progress, all our military efforts will say something that is very seldom left for his first trip to Iraq, and we dis- not produce success. That is one reason stated on the floor of the Senate: as cussed the situation there during that meet- I think we have to begin to change long as we are dependent on oil in the ing. We subsequently talked after his trip. I course. We have to begin to adjust our also talked to the chairman of the Joint region, our greater national security effort to protect our self-interests and interests are at stake in what happens Chiefs of Staff several times in this period, noting that a population and security em- our interests in the region, but no with the outcome of Iraq. The possi- phasis in Baghdad in particular was nec- longer be the broker, if you will, for po- bility of success in Iraq, of seeing the essary to help the Iraqis gain the time and litical progress in Iraq that does not world’s third largest oil reserves being space for tough decisions. materialize. modernized and used, and those reve- As the strategy was refined, I talked on My colleagues have been on the Sen- nues used for the betterment of the several occasions to General Odierno. I re- ate floor and said time and time again American people, also presents a goal layed my support for those levels that Gen- that there have been deadlines im- eral Odierno recommended to the Chairman that I think is worth striving for. posed, in many cases by the Iraqis I would like to again return to the of the Joint Chiefs. I also supported the addi- tional emphasis in the advisory effort. themselves, that have not been met. fact that I am deeply disappointed in This is not a precise quote, but para- The latest report, just a few days ago, the Maliki government. Their failure suggested these political benchmarks to act unhinges the very important as- phrases his remarks. General Petraeus is not the author of this plan. He, like have not been issued. Without that, our pect of the military, political, social, efforts and the brave sacrifice of our and economic aspects of any successful many officers, participated, was asked questions; he had great experience. He soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors, counterinsurgency operation. But I and every man and woman who is out also believe that nothing would em- was the head and led the 101st Air Mo- bile Division in Iraq and was head of there, are not producing the results we bolden the Iranians more, nothing want and need. So we have to look would embolden the Syrians more, our training effort. But this is not his plan. again at this strategy. nothing would frighten the Jordanians But there is another factor, too, that Now, he has accepted this plan. He and the Saudis more, not to mention I think is important to note. I was just did that publicly. But this is the Presi- the Egyptians, than the passage of leg- in Iraq—as so many of my colleagues dent’s plan. And at the heart of the islation which would require the with- have traveled there, I have also—and I President’s plan is the statement he drawal of the United States. spoke with General Petraeus directly. made on January 10 when he an- So I urge my colleagues not only to He gave me every indication that he nounced it. look at how this legislation and this was not waiting for September; that he debate affects America vis-a-vis Iraq I have made it clear to the prime minister and Iraq’s other leaders that America’s com- had been able to make an assessment but affects our western and national mitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi gov- over the several months he has been in interests and values in the entire Mid- ernment does not follow through on its command, and he is prepared to make dle East. promises, it will lose the support of the a recommendation—unless I misunder- Madam President, I note the patience American people and lose the support of the stood him—before the end of August. of my friend from Rhode Island, who is Iraqi people. Now is the time to act. The Now, he might be overruled by the a thoughtful and valued member of the prime minister understands this. White House in Washington, but he has Armed Services Committee whose Well, apparently, the prime minister a pretty good sense of what is hap- friendship I appreciate a great deal. did not understand, because in the in- pening on the ground, and we should I yield the floor. tervening months, exactly what the have that same sense in the Congress. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. NEL- President feared has happened. There The other factor that seems so crit- SON of Nebraska). The Senator from has been no adequate political progress ical when it is put next to the issue of Rhode Island. in Iraq. That is key rationale for the no apparent progress by Iraqi political Mr. REED. Mr. President, I thank the increased forces in Iraq. And without leaders is the fact that by April of next Senator for the kind words. And one of this political decisiveness on the part year, April 2008, our military forces my first reactions was a bit of confu- of the Iraqis, our military efforts will will not be able to generate 160,000 sion. He referenced General Lamb, the not be decisive. And what has happened troops on the ground in Iraq. The surge British officer in Baghdad, expressing because of this failure to act is pre- will come to an end regardless of what chagrin at the proposals to reduce the cisely as the President suggested? The happens on the ground. Unless, of troop strength of the American forces. American people have increasingly be- course, the President is prepared to

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As a result, even with minds, of any real progress and the uals who are eligible to leave the serv- these additional 30,000 troops, there is documented lack of political progress. ice after honorable service are denied a question of whether they are an ade- It was documented a few days ago on the opportunity to leave and in many quate number to take over this popu- the part of the Iraqi Government. cases are forced to deploy; picking re- lation protection mission the President So we have to change. The question servists and people who are in the indi- has announced. The population of Iraq then is what is the best way to do it? vidual Ready Reserve, those are indi- is significant. That is another factor I We can debate about this. But cer- viduals who served their full active think we have to consider when we tainly this amendment, offered by my- commitment, they have left, many of look at the adequacy of even the Presi- self and Senator LEVIN, represents a them have gone on with their lives and dent’s proposal today. change. Not a hortatory request for suddenly they are called up and told The Levin-Reed proposal talks about further assessment, not a discussion of get back in uniform, you are going doing what is not only necessary but possibilities or reference to another overseas. frankly inevitable. We have to begin to study group but a plan of change. Without such draconian decisions, redeploy our forces. We have to begin It begins by initiating a reduction of then by next April we will not be able to reduce our forces. We cannot sustain our forces 120 days after passage. That to field 160,000 troops in Iraq as we are this effort because of the structure of probably will be sometime toward the doing today. So the reality is this pol- our military forces. end of this year, given the nature of icy will change. The question is, will it The President had an opportunity the legislative process. It doesn’t speci- change now or then and will it change several years ago, in the wake of our fy any specific level of reductions. in a way that strengthens the national success in Afghanistan and in the wake That is the President as Commander’s security of the United States? Also, of the operations in Iraq, to dramati- prerogative. It doesn’t specify a par- will it change in a way it will gain the cally increase the size of the Army and ticular timetable when they can leave, support of the American people? the Marine Corps. Senator HAGEL and I who should go first. Again, that is his One of the factors in a counterinsur- came to the floor and we proposed an prerogative. But what it does suggest gency is the fact that you need popular amendment, in 2003, to do that. This and, in fact, requires is that by April of support. That is not something that is was opposed by the administration be- next year, that we have transitioned to a special thing to have or a nice thing cause, if you recall, back then this Iraq three missions—again, missions that to have, it is essential to the strategy. operation was basically all but over were supported significantly by the We are losing—the President is losing— and they were getting out. Iraq Study Group: Force protection— popular support with respect to these Now it is very difficult to increase we always have to protect our forces operations. Without that support, we the size of the military forces. The and facilities in the field; counterter- will not be able to maintain our pres- Army has missed, for the last 2 rorism, because we never want to give ence in Iraq. months, its recruiting objectives. But up not only the option but the obliga- We are seeing already Americans even if we stayed on track recruiting, tion to strike at terrorist cells wher- across the political divide, across the we are still in a situation where we ever they may be, particularly in Iraq; geographical divide, demanding that cannot grow the Army fast enough, the and third, the continued training of the this Congress act. They have, frankly, Marine Corps fast enough, to maintain Iraqi security forces. little confidence in the President’s indefinitely these forces in Iraq. So the These I think are missions that are ability, after all these years, to get it strategy must change. If the strategy not only critical but they advance our right. That is one of the major reasons is not only not supported by our end national security interests. Again, this we are here today debating, and we will strength, it certainly must change in fight against terror cannot be given up. be tonight debating, because the Amer- the light of the American people. We have to continue it. To the extent ican people are looking for a new direc- I think the President made a signifi- that we can create effective Iraqi secu- tion in Iraq. cant mistake last January. After an rity forces, mitigates against the real The other factor that I think should election that sent a very strong signal concerns that have been expressed on be mentioned is that, while we have all across this country that the Amer- this floor of the aftermath of what I pursued a strategy of increasing our ican people wanted change, after the think is almost an inevitable reduction forces, our adversaries—and they are report of the Iraq Study Group, wise in our presence. We have to be con- multiple in a complicated theater of men and women on both sides of the cerned about that. operations—have reacted. First of all, aisle, with no particular special inter- One of the vexing things, though, they have taken the battle, if you will, est they were trying to protect or ad- about training the Iraqi security the battle we tried to orchestrate in vance—they were true patriots coming forces, is it is relatively easy to teach Baghdad, and they have spread it forward to give their best advice—sug- map reading and squad drills. It is rel- around the country. They have moved gested that our strategy should be re- atively easy to teach calling for artil- where there are fewer troops. This has markably similar to what we are talk- lery fire. What is hard to teach, be- caused us to spread our operations ing about today: the redeployment of cause you really can’t teach it, is the around. The surge, if you will, the addi- the American forces; switching mis- political reliability, with a small ‘‘p,’’ tional approximately 30,000 troops, sions to training, force protection, the dedication to the country, the situ- were initially intended to go into counterterrorism; engaging in robust ation in which professional officers are Baghdad. diplomatic activity in the region. truly professional. That is one of the If you, as I did, listened closely to Those recommendations were cast nagging doubts that everyone has General Petraeus at his confirmation aside by the President. At that point, if about the Iraqi security forces, par- hearing, if you listened to the Presi- not earlier, the American public began ticularly the Iraqi police, and to a less dent in his January 10 speech, the con- to seriously question the direction of degree the Iraqi Army. There are many cept was Baghdad was going to be his policy in Iraq. Without public sup- factors there, too, but we still have to, locked down. It was going to be satu- port, you cannot conduct military op- I think, press forward and try to train rated with American and Iraqi forces. erations effectively or for any length of these forces. That has not happened because our tac- time. Our amendment represents the only tical leaders have determined they So we face two realities in the United real possibility of change today, of all must get out of Baghdad, they must go States. Ultimately, the inability to those that might be discussed on the ahead and pursue some of these ele- generate this force structure indefi- floor. It represents not a precipitous ments outside of Baghdad, and our ad- nitely and the fact that the American withdrawal. It is a phased reduction to versaries have decided they would rath- people are growing increasingly intol- missions that are important and are

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9334 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 well within the capacity, I believe, of curity in Iraq but as a way that we, in year 2008 National Defense Authoriza- our military forces to sustain over fact, are playing into the hands of tion Act, every Member of this body is time. They serve, I think, the much many of these Iraqi terrorists, these focused on the security of our Nation broader interests of the United States. international terrorists. and the safety of our troops in Iraq. All of this, of course, has to be com- One of the other aspects we face as a Senators Levin and McCain, along with plemented by robust political activity, reality on the ground is the complex the other members of the Armed Serv- diplomatic activity in Iraq and around situation in Iraq. Too often I think the ices Committee, have worked hard, the region, something the President President and others try to simplify very hard, to put together a bipartisan has been woefully lacking in his pur- this as this battle for Iraq is the cen- bill that provides our troops with the suit of, over the many months we have tral front in our battle against al- resources they need and sets priorities been engaged. We have to make the Qaida. I would argue the central front for defense spending for the year ahead. case—it is difficult to make, but we in our battle against al-Qaida is some- This is a strong bill. I was proud to have to make the case to the neigh- where in Pakistan. That is where bin support it in committee. But it is in- bors, particularly, that an Iraq that be- Laden is, where Zarqawi is, that is complete—incomplete because we can- comes this caldron of instability and where it is reported that hundreds of not possibly claim to have truly pro- chaos that some of my colleagues Iraqis and others, Europeans, vided for our Nation’s security until we fear—and, frankly, that we have to at Chechens, are training to be jihadist have addressed the situation in Iraq. least anticipate, in terms of our diplo- terrorists across the globe. But regard- It is now more than 4 years since macy and some of our military prepa- less of where the central front is, the President Bush declared the mission in ration—that this situation would be issue I think we have to recognize and Iraq has been accomplished. Since detrimental to them as much, if not grasp is that our presence in Iraq is ‘‘mission accomplished,’’ more than more, than to us. something we cannot sustain indefi- 3,400 U.S. soldiers have died, died in A chaotic, turbulent, anarchy on the nitely. Iraq. A sectarian civil war is now deep- border of any country spells serious We have to focus, I think, on the ly entrenched, deeply entrenched and problems for that country. That case other threats, focus more diligently on raging. should begin to be made immediately, these other threats. Now, we have a sit- The political compromises that for not only by our diplomats but by the uation in Iraq, a complicated situation years we have been promised by the international community. of Kurds, Shia, and Sunni, together Iraqis seem to be more distant than We suggest, also, we have to try with criminals, together with terrorist ever. Civilians are dying in ever great- again to involve others in this effort; elements, al-Qaida. Too often, as I said, er numbers, and every day more Amer- not just the United States and Great we try to make the point it is just ican troops are hurled into the cross- Britain but others, the international about al-Qaida. fire. actors. They, too, I think have an in- We have made progress in Anbar It is time, yes, far past time, for the terest in a stable region, a stable Iraq. Province because in that Sunni region, Congress—that is us—to have a real de- It has been discussed on this floor the Sunni tribal leaders have united bate about this war and about where that al-Qaida is sitting back and hop- against al-Qaida. But that does not de- our national security interests ulti- ing we leave. It is an interesting con- fine the most decisive factor in Iraq, mately lie. We must start by cept because there is some contradic- and that is the conflict between the sunsetting the outdated and open- tory evidence. Ayman Zawahiri, who is Sunni community and the Shia com- ended 2002 authorization to use force in the second in command of al-Qaida, munity; a community on one hand, the Iraq and requiring the President to re- was quoted recently as suggesting that Sunnis, who feel profound entitlement, quest a new authorization that out- our departure would actually be some- and on the other hand, the Shia, who lines the new mission which our troops thing that would cause them some con- feel a profound sense of paranoia. are being asked to perform. cern. Not because they don’t wish us I think we have to ask ourselves seri- The amendment Senator CLINTON and ill, they certainly do. Not because ously, will that profound conflict be- I are offering does exactly that. It will today they don’t continue to try to at- tween the two communities be resolved end the 2002 authorization on its 5-year tack us. But because they believe our in 30 days, on September 15; will it be anniversary, October 11, 2007. That au- presence in Iraq, in his words as trans- resolved in a week; more than that; Oc- thorization which was passed to con- lated, is a ‘‘historic trap,’’ that we are tober 1; will it be resolved 6 months front the threat that we were told trapped there and that they can use from now? faced us from the government of Sad- their forces there—not the al-Qaida It has lasted for hundreds and hun- dam Hussein is no longer relevant. Our elements but all the sectarian groups, dreds of years. It is the fuel that is gen- troops have toppled the dictator. The some of them operating against us be- erating the conflict we see in Iraq Iraqis have voted in a new government. cause we are there—they can use these today. Without the political steps of No weapons of mass destruction have forces to attack our troops, diminish the Iraqi Government leaders at least been found. our presence, and effectively continue to attempt to deal with this issue, our Meanwhile, American soldiers con- to apply pressure on us. presence will not deal with—I think in tinue to die, die in the crossfire of an- I think there is a suggestion there the short term—the solution. other country’s civil war, while the that our departure might, in fact, help Senator LEVIN and I have proposed President fails to clearly articulate our us in our overall strategy. It certainly what I believe is the most practical, mission, our strategy or our goals for will help us to counteract the image feasible, realistic policy we can pursue continuing our occupation of Iraq. He which the propagandists, the Zawahiris today in Iraq; indeed, as I suggest, a must clearly explain his vision, his vi- of the world present, that the United policy which perhaps not in the same sion to an increasingly skeptical pub- States is committed to destroying the terms but in the same substance will lic, the American people, those people Muslim community by imperialis- inevitably be the policy of this coun- out yonder, the American people. tically invading holy territory. We are try. I hope today, though, we can take We were told this year would mark a in a battle of ideas ultimately, and we decisive action to move to our bill, turning point, a new direction in this are not doing a very good job because avoid a filibuster, to vote up or down war with a new strategy intended to what they are able to show throughout and move forward with a new direction give Iraq’s political leaders breathing the entire Islamic world is our forces in for Iraq, a new direction for our coun- room in order to forge a political con- Iraq and our forces in Afghanistan but try. sensus. Unfortunately, that is not the particularly in Iraq and try to validate I note the presence of the senior Sen- way events have unfolded. Despite the their claim, their propaganda, that is ator from West Virginia. addition of more than 20,000 American why they exist, to resist us. I yield the floor. troops into Baghdad, civilian deaths In the course of our strategy going The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- have actually increased as the insur- forward, one should think at least ator from West Virginia. gents have engaged in a surge of their about the efficacy of our presence Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, as the Sen- own—a surge of their own—far from there, not in terms of a bulwark of se- ate turns its attention to the fiscal creating breathing room for peace.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9335 The President’s current course ap- tion of laws, not of men. My amend- disaster and does not function as a na- pears to be pumping oxygen into the ment simply states the obvious truth, tional ministry. Horrific violence in fire of sectarian violence. The decision that the facts on the ground do not Iraq is spreading beyond Baghdad. Yes- to go to war—the decision to go to match the open-ended authorization terday, car bombs and attacks in war—to send our sons and daughters that is still in force. Any Senator wish- Kirkuk and Diyala Province killed into the line of fire, to ask them to kill ing to vote for legislation mandating a more than 100 and injured almost 200 and be killed on our behalf, is the withdrawal date or to restrict the war Iraqis. Kirkuk is an area of Iraq in the weightiest decision that a Member of funding or to implement the rec- northern part, Kurdistan, that has been Congress can ever, ever, ever make. ommendations of the Iraq Study Group considered by this administration as It is wrong, wrong I say, it is wrong should also support the Byrd-Clinton one of the most secure areas of Iraq. for Congress to continue to fail to reas- amendment. Recent events in Kurdistan over the sess that outdated authority without a As the President himself said earlier last few months have shown otherwise. real debate about where the occupation this year: Increasingly, regions that were pre- of Iraq is headed. The authorization The fight we are in is not the fight that we viously seen as relatively stable and se- that Congress passed in 2002 to give the entered. cure, such as the Kurdish area, are now President authority to go to war in I couldn’t agree more. This is not the being engulfed by violence. The south- Iraq was rushed through here 3 weeks fight Congress authorized. I urge this ern four provinces in Iraq near Basra, before Congressional elections—yes, body to schedule a vote on the Byrd- which contains most of Iraq’s oil and rushed through. Clinton amendment, and I urge my col- Iraq’s only port and outlet to the sea, It was passed in the shadow of warn- leagues to support it. are out of control. Shiite militias con- ings of mushroom clouds and the not- I yield the floor, and I suggest the ab- trol the southern four provinces of so-subtle implication that anyone who sence of a quorum. Iraq, including the most significant oil voted against the war could not be The PRESIDING OFFICER. The reserves in Iraq’s one outlet to the sea. trusted with matters of national secu- clerk will call the roll. Shiite militias and criminal gangs con- rity. The legislative clerk proceeded to trol these provinces and today even de- It was a hasty and unconstitutional call the roll. mand tribute, and we pay it. The Iraqi abdication of Congress’s authority in Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask Government pays tribute to Shia mili- matters of war. It is time to bring that unanimous consent that the order for tias to use Iraq’s primary port. The authorization to a close—yes—and the quorum call be rescinded. last remaining pipeline into Baghdad The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without have an honest debate about the way has been blown up, crippling Baghdad’s objection, it is so ordered. forward. We do our troops a disservice access to oil, and there are no oper- Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I under- if we do not take a fresh look, and the ating refineries in Baghdad. Hence, the stand our staffs have reached a point President should welcome the oppor- product that comes to Baghdad today where we were able to clear something tunity to solicit our renewed support is trucked in from Kuwait. This is the like 26 amendments on this bill but for his policy. We must think of our na- nation that has the third largest oil re- that there is one last hurdle on the Re- tional interest and think again—yes— serves in the world. The green zone is publican side. I am wondering whether of our brave troops. We must put poli- being attacked daily. my good friend from Arizona feels tics aside. Last week, 9 people were killed, in- there may be a possibility that we can At a recent Senate hearing, I asked cluding Americans, and over 30 wound- jump over that hurdle in the next cou- Defense Secretary Gates if the 2002 au- ed inside the green zone. These daily ple hours. thorization still applies to Iraq. His re- attacks on the green zone by mortar Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask sponse, may I say, was surprisingly fire, rocket fire increase. unanimous consent to engage in a candid: I have listened today to some of my short colloquy with my colleague from I don’t know. colleagues argue that the surge strat- Michigan, the distinguished chairman. egy—the surge strategy—has only just I believe the answer to that question The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without begun; why don’t we give it a chance to is clear and that it is time for the objection, it is so ordered. President to make the case to the Con- Mr. MCCAIN. I say to my colleague work; we are at a very early stage; we gress of the United States and to the that we have one individual, and we do must give the President more time. Let me remind our colleagues it has American people of the United States have some 26 amendments that I think been more than 6 months since the for the U.S. military’s changed mission are cleared that we could get out of the President of the United States an- in Iraq. Our country will benefit from way. I am working on that right now. nounced to the Nation on January 10 the debate. I thank my colleague and most of all the decision to send tens of thousands This amendment puts the ball right the staffs for their close cooperation. back in the President’s court, requiring Mr. LEVIN. I thank my friend. of additional U.S. troops into Iraq. him, the President, to request a new I understand the Senator from Ne- That was the beginning of the surge, authorization for the new mission that braska wants the floor, and I yield the not now. It has been more than 5 challenges our military. The White floor. months since these additional U.S. House has repeatedly asserted that Mr. MCCAIN. I yield the floor. troops began arriving in Iraq in early General Petraeus needs until Sep- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- February. We have had months to tember to assess the progress of the se- ator from Nebraska. judge the situation in Iraq. Only last curity escalation in Iraq. This amend- Mr. HAGEL. Mr. President, I rise this week, the President reported to Con- ment gives him that time. But this afternoon to support the Levin-Reed gress that there has been no progress— amendment also ensures that Congress amendment. As we know, Iraq is the no progress—on any of the political and the people will have the oppor- most important issue facing our coun- benchmarks in Iraq. The violence that tunity to examine that progress to de- try today. The core challenge in Iraq is is tearing Iraq apart has intensified termine our course in Iraq. It is a sim- the cycle of violence, despair, and ret- and spread over the last 6 months. The ple, commonsense approach that rees- ribution that is tearing Iraq apart and current strategy is failing, and the so- tablishes the congressional authority threatening wider regional instability. called surge that some of my col- decreed by the Constitution of the There is no significant progress in Iraq. leagues refuse to recognize that began United States. It also respects the By any measurement, the situation in almost 6 months ago has cost 532 President’s role as the Commander in Iraq is getting worse as each week American men and women their lives Chief. passes. Prime Minister al-Maliki’s Gov- since that began. We have lost more It is important to emphasize to all of ernment is essentially paralyzed and than 3,600 Americans who have died my colleagues that supporting my dysfunctional, in part by boycotts and and over 26,000 wounded over the last amendment does not preclude voting sectarian rivalries and an intense sec- 41⁄2 years. for any other legislative options. This tarian war. We must change our policy in Iraq. amendment addresses the legal founda- The Interior Ministry in Iraq, which Central to our new strategy must be di- tion for this horrible war. We are a na- controls Iraq’s police forces, is still a plomacy, regional engagement, and the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9336 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 involvement of the international com- make policy. The military has input Troop to task is a very simple con- munity, all of these coming together into that policy, as they must and as cept. You connect the requirements of within the framework of a new policy, they should, but once the policy is your mission with the force structure using all of the instruments of power given to the military, they can’t alter needed. We are way out of balance. We to help achieve Iraqi political accom- the policy. They are captive to policy. have been out of balance since we in- modation—political accommodation. That is constitutionally the way it is vaded Iraq in March of 2003. We never We are captive to a cycle of violence. and the way it should be. We are talk- had enough force structure. Some of We cannot break out of the cycle of vi- ing about a new policy, a new strategy. the same people on the floor of the olence. More troops will not do that. We have a legitimate mission to carry Senate who are now saying: Well, let’s We have put burdens on our troops and out in Iraq, and those various missions listen to the generals, where were they asked them to make sacrifices and do are critical to our security, and hope- when the generals warned this adminis- things they cannot achieve in the fully, at some point, the stability of tration that we didn’t have enough course of finding an answer to break Iraq. The Levin-Reed amendment fo- men and women and force before we the cycle of violence. It is bigger than cuses solely on those missions and the went into Iraq, I didn’t hear many of the military. General Petraeus has said transitions of those missions: Counter- them talking about how much faith we so. As a matter of fact, General terrorism, targeting terrorists and should put in our generals then. Petraeus has said there will be no mili- other global organizations; training The former Chief of Staff of the tary solution in Iraq. Every general I Iraqi forces, protecting U.S. and coali- United States Army, General Shinseki, have met in my five trips to Iraq, every tion personnel and facilities, helping said it. He said it openly in the Pre- general I have met here in and out of maintain territorial integrity of Iraq. siding Officer’s Armed Services Com- uniform, has said there will not be— As I have said, nearly all of the other mittee. When asked the question: What significant amendments I am aware of cannot be—a military solution. would it take in manpower to remove that have been introduced on the floor I have cosponsored the Levin-Reed Saddam Hussein from power and help of the Senate on Iraq, including the amendment because it requires that stabilize and secure Iraq, General Warner-Lugar amendment, the Sala- the United States move toward a com- Shinseki said: It would take hundreds prehensive policy on Iraq—a com- zar-Alexander amendment focused largely on the same limited mission, as of thousands of American troops. prehensive policy on Iraq—not just This administration completely dis- the Levin-Reed amendment, as does continuing to feed American troops missed that as wildly—I believe as the the Nelson-Collins amendment, on a into the middle of a civil war, which is Deputy Secretary of Defense at the limited mission. There is an emerging clearly not working, but something in time said—wildly off the mark. Well, consensus on how our military mission addition to our military security. That he wasn’t off the mark, I say to my col- should transition in Iraq as well. Our new policy must be centered on diplo- amendment includes a timeline and leagues. He was exactly right. He was macy and helping achieve Iraqi polit- would require that this shift in our exactly right. So we have never had the forces to ical accommodation to get to political military mission be completed by April match the mission. That is not new. reconciliation. 30 of next year. This amendment is responsible. It is Our amendment is not alone in estab- Some of us may be coming to that con- comprehensive, forward-looking, com- lishing a timeline. Again, the other sig- clusion for the first time, but it is not pelling, and not all that different, inci- nificant amendments on Iraq also have new. We have never had the force dentally, from what my other col- timelines. The Warner-Lugar amend- structure to match the mission. That leagues are offering on the floor of the ment recommends beginning the mili- is not the fault of the generals. That is Senate as options. Yes, it requires a tary transition no later than December not the fault of the military. That is phased, responsible reduction of U.S. 31, 2007. That is a timeline. The Sala- the fault of policymakers. forces from Iraq. I say again, a reduc- zar-Alexander amendment sets as the Our amendment also respects that tion—not a withdrawal—of our forces. sense of the Congress that the transi- only military professionals can deter- No one I know is calling for any sort of tion be completed by the first quarter mine those numbers. The scope of the precipitous withdrawal or precipitous of 2008. Now, that is a timeline. There reduction would stay firmly in the action to take America out of Iraq is yet another emerging consensus on hands of the military professionals. now. We couldn’t do that anyway. Even establishing a timeline to transition This approach is responsible. Not one if we wanted to withdraw precipitously our military mission in Iraq. Our U.S. general today will tell you that or quickly, the reality of the logistics amendment also respects that only there can be, there will be, there is a would prevent it. The fact is, we are military professionals—the generals, military solution in Iraq. where we are. We have national inter- those who have the responsibility of Then the next question is—and a ests in the Middle East. We have na- carrying out the policy; not making statement being made often on the tional interests in Iraq. We should not the policy, but carrying it out—those floor of the Senate is: Well, we need to confuse the issue that we debate today. professionals determine how many buy the Iraqis time. We need to give We are not advocating a cut-and-run troops will be needed to carry out our the Maliki government time. That is strategy. I am not sure what cut and limited military mission in Iraq. true. That is why we have benchmarks. run means. It is catchy. It is good So the talk I hear more than occa- That is why we have some sense of sloganeering. But I have yet to hear sionally on the Senate floor that some- where this is going? Are we making anyone come to the Senate floor and how the Congress is micromanaging progress or not making progress? Is it say: I am for cutting and running. the war is not correct; that we are getting better or is it getting worse? Those who use that term or accuse oth- micromanaging the army is not cor- Now, 41⁄2 years into this, we should ers of employing that term should de- rect. have some measurements of giving the fine what that means. Once again, our amendment, the government time, but time for what? Of all the resolutions I am aware of Levin-Reed amendment, sets policy of What is the end game as more Ameri- that have been introduced in the Sen- the military mission in Iraq. That is cans sacrifice their lives and a half ate on this issue, none that I am aware policy. What is the mission? What is trillion dollars of America’s taxpayers’ of is a so-called cut-and-run amend- the strategic, diplomatic mission of money has sunk into the sands of Iraq? ment. employing America’s power and pres- We are buying time for what? For a po- We are talking about a transition in tige in Iraq? That is the policy. But the litical reconciliation brought about by the mission being carried out by U.S. scope of the reduction—the reduction, the Iraqis themselves to be able to forces in Iraq. A policy, a strategy. not the withdrawal but the reduction— functionally govern their country with Let’s make something else clear. The of U.S. forces in Iraq will be deter- some sense of stability and security. military does not make policy. The mined by, and needs to be determined That is going the other way. That military implements policy. The Con- by, our military professionals based on hasn’t gotten better; it has gotten gress is part of making that policy. a troop-to-task analysis; not the Con- worse by every measure. So we con- Constitutionally we have a role with gress, not the committees telling the tinue to buy time with American blood the President in helping frame and generals how to do anything. and American treasure, for what? For

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9337 what? No one wants to answer that May. Since then, I pressed this issue also appreciate the opportunity to co- question, by the way. We end it with with Secretary Rice last week, our Na- sponsor this responsible amendment we have to buy time, but the additional tional Security Adviser, Steve Hadley, with my colleagues. I note again it is a part of that equation is: Buy time for 2 weeks ago, and again today with the bipartisan amendment, and I hope all what? Do we buy time for another 2, 3, United Nations Secretary General. It is my colleagues in the Senate will take a or 4 years? time to take the American face off look at all the different options and It is also clear that the generals have Iraq’s political process. amendments and spend some time on said when April comes, and there is a The United States is seen as the oc- each because they are each worthy of timeline already that is built in— cupier in Iraq. We must have a new time, but in the end, the consistency of whether we ever deal with it or not in strategy that will further invest the re- the amendments that have been pre- the Congress—there is a timeline built gion and the rest of the world to help- sented so far are about one thing, and in, and it is called manpower. It is ing stabilize Iraq, reversing Iraq’s slide you can paint it any way you want, but called deployment rotations. into chaos. And it is chaos, Mr. Presi- that is a change of mission in Iraq and We are pushing our young men and dent. I hear on the floor of the Senate, a new policy in Iraq. women now to 18-month rotation, and gee, if we changed our mission, if we I yield the floor. some, by the way, are longer than that moved in any different direction, if we The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. because of what is known as a stopgap reduced our forces, if we did anything MENENDEZ). The Senator from Rhode measure where the Secretary of De- different, Iraq would end in chaos. Island. fense can stop anyone from leaving a Some of my colleagues must not under- Mr. REED. Mr. President, I wish to war zone based on the speciality of his stand what is going on in Iraq. We have propound a unanimous consent request, or her MOS or job. So we are actually chaos. We have real chaos in Iraq but I would be remiss if I did not recog- having people stay there longer than 18 today. That means there are no good nize Senator HAGEL’s leadership on this months. But now it is 18 months, even options today. The optics here should issue and his articulate vision and though the Secretary of Defense testi- be clear, and we should base our new years ago his brave service as a soldier fied in January before the Senate policies and our new strategies on in our Army. Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- Armed Services Committee that we those clear optics that Iraq is in chaos sent that the Finance Committee be need to get back to 12 months. today. permitted to meet today at 7 p.m. in Senator WEBB and I and others, a bi- Creating an international mediator partisan group of Senators / last week would help build some new common in- 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building to had two amendments on that issue. We terests in the region and in the world. consider an original bill entitled the couldn’t get the required 60 votes to go This amendment represents the core Children’s Health Insurance Program back to a 12-month deployment. So elements of a different U.S. strategy Reauthorization Act of 2007, which will now it is 15 months, and we are pushing for Iraq, a strategy that more accu- provide health care for needy children. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there even 18 months. rately understands the grim realities objection? Without objection, it is so The generals have told us that when we face today, that we will face at the this spring comes, there is no more ordered. end of this year, that we will face next Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I give in those deployment rotations. spring, and we will face next year. The object. There is nothing left. So there is a question is whether the President and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The timeline built in already. Whether any Congress will come together to present Chair did not hear the Senator from of us want to acknowledge that or in- a new policy for Iraq that can be sup- Texas. troduce that, that is a reality. ported by the American people and pro- Mrs. HUTCHISON. I objected in a Any change to policy in Iraq cannot tect and advance America’s interests in timely manner. be done in isolation, separate or dis- Iraq and the Middle East. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- connected, from the broader sense of We are coming dangerously close to tion is heard. dynamics in Iraq and the Middle East. the moment when the American people The Senator from Texas. That is why this amendment requires a will demand that we leave Iraq and Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I phased reduction be conducted as part pullout of the Middle East. Almost 70 know you did not hear me. I do not of a comprehensive, diplomatic, polit- percent of the American people today, wish to keep the Finance Committee ical, and economic strategy that in- by every measurement, say enough is from meeting, except that we are being cludes sustained engagement to Iraq’s enough. This is not in the U.S. interest held for a very important debate, and if neighbors and the international com- nor the world’s to leave Iraq that way. we are going to be held all night, it is munity. That is why the United States needs a the view of this side of the aisle that I am very pleased to note that today new strategy for Iraq now. we should keep our focus on this very the announcement came from the Well into our fifth year in Iraq, we important issue. State Department that the United are beyond nonbinding language of res- I rise today because this is such an States is now prepared to hold new di- olutions. We are beyond calling for new important issue. I don’t think that any rect talks with Iran. That is progress, plans or new reports. We are beyond Member on this side of the aisle or the not because Iran wants to be our sense-of-the-Senate resolutions. We other side of the aisle is insincere in friend. Of course not. But Iran is a sig- have to understand where we are their views about this issue. However, I nificant power in the Middle East. It is today. We are in a very dangerous posi- do think the disagreements are real, working against our interests in the tion in Iraq. Our policy in Iraq has and it is so important the Senate do Middle East. We must engage Iran. I been a disaster. Why are we kidding the right thing. have been calling for dialog with all ourselves otherwise? By any measure- We have before us, of course, the Middle East nations, including Iran ment, it is a disaster. It must change Levin-Reed amendment that would set and Syria, or over 3 years. A construc- now. The time for suggestions is over. a deadline and cut and run from Iraq tive regional framework for Iraq can If we do not believe our current policy without regard to anything that is hap- only be achieved through sustained di- is worthy of the sacrifices being made pening on the ground, including the plomacy, not hit or miss, not ‘‘if we by our troops, then it is wrong to sim- Commander in Chief saying: For God’s have time.’’ ply say we will wait until this fall to sake, don’t do this. A vital element of this comprehen- change course or let’s hang on for 2 or So here we are debating this issue, sive diplomatic strategy must be to 3 more months to see what happens. but I think we have to also talk about internationalize Iraq through an inter- We know what is happening. We the other amendments that are on the national mediator under the auspices know what is happening today, we floor because we are now seeing a dif- of the U.N. to engage all of Iraq’s polit- know what has been happening, and we ferent variety. I think there is an at- ical, religious, ethnic, and tribal lead- know what is going to happen tomor- tempt by many of our Members to send ers. row. a message. None of these amendments I first called for an international me- I am grateful for the opportunity to would ever become law. I think every- diator in a letter to President Bush in express myself on this amendment. I one acknowledges that fact. So every

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9338 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 amendment is meant to send a mes- those who have had the boots on the face in the war itself. It puts a bull’s- sage. ground in Iraq and Afghanistan who eye on them because the enemy knows What is the message? It appears that know what is happening, one cannot they are leaving, so why not do worse the basic message is to tell the Presi- fail to believe we have to give this a things to our troops, why not get rid of dent to change strategy or to tell the chance, even if the armchair generals them? That has happened before in re- generals what to do or to micromanage back here in Washington have mis- treats in wars. the war. All different kinds of messages givings. That would be the worst thing we are being proposed. But the bottom It is so important that despite the could do, is to say to the enemy: This line is we cannot tell the Commander sincerity of so many of my colleagues is when we are leaving, this is when we in Chief, the President, nor the com- in trying to put forward a different are going to draw down, this is when mander on the ground, General kind of a message, a message to the the troops go away. I cannot imagine Petraeus, how to do the jobs we have President—do a plan; we are not going we would do such a thing. asked them to do. to make you implement the plan, but And No. 3—and this is the policy that We heard from General Petraeus we are going to make you do one—all the Senate must stand for, and that is what the new strategy will be. I keep the way up to the amendment that we to stand for the integrity of America, hearing people say we need a new strat- are debating and on which we are going the integrity of the greatest country egy, we need a new plan, a new plan. to have a vote tomorrow which is to on Earth—that we will be a formidable We are in a new plan. Yet the Senate is cut and run. enemy and a reliable ally, that we will saying, when the new plan is in its in- That is the variety of message not flinch when times get tough. It is a fancy, when the surge of 30,000 troops amendments that we have pending on legitimate argument about why we got has been completed within the last 2 this bill, and none of those is the right here or when we should have had more weeks, and yet we are pulling the rug message. Look at the consequences. troops or how the war has been run up out from under the new plan. It doesn’t Look at the consequences if we leave to now. That is legitimate. We can talk make sense. without making sure Iraq is stable. about that, and it is a legitimate area I think all these amendments, all Today, the Secretary of State and to debate. But what is not legitimate these message amendments are the the Secretary of Defense announced is—because it is a very tough time— wrong thing at the wrong time. there is going to be a rejuvenation of that we would say times are too tough; We cannot be the greatest country on the talks that include all the people in America must leave. What kind of Earth and say: Don’t trust us if you are the region. That is so important. This honor would that bring on our country our ally and don’t fear us if you are our is something I have talked about for a and this United States Senate? None. enemy, and that is exactly what we long time. No longer can the neighbors It would not bring honor on this coun- would be doing if we leave Iraq because to Iraq sit back and watch what is hap- try to cut and run because times are Congress sets a deadline regardless of pening there and criticize America or tough. what is happening on the ground in anybody else and not take a hand in This is a fight for freedom. This is a Iraq. helping to solve the problems in this fight to live in peace and harmony with This is about a war on terror and pro- area. No longer can they sit back and people of different backgrounds and tecting our freedom. This is not about grade America when it is they who different faiths. This is taking a stand Iraq in a bubble. It is about making have the very most at stake with an for freedom because America is the sure we kill terrorism in the world be- Iraq that might become a haven for country that has the commitment and fore it ruins everyone’s way of life and terrorists. That is in no one’s interest the capacity to fight for freedom in the takes freedom from everyone. in that region, not even people who world. If I believed we were just talking want the destruction of America, such If we cut and run because times are about Iraq and we could isolate Iraq, as the President of Iran. It is not in his tough, who would stand for freedom? that would be a very different issue. interest or Iran’s interest to have a Who would have the capability to stand This is about making sure Iraq does terror stronghold in the Middle East. It for freedom? not become a stronghold for terrorists. is certainly not in the interest of the It would be unthinkable to go against This is to make sure al-Qaida cannot moderate Arab nations that are trying the general who is in charge in Iraq, take over Iraq, terrorize the people as to have stabilization in that region. the head of the CIA, Michael Hayden, they have done in Afghanistan for Here we are with a new strategy that who has said also that ‘‘if we withdraw years, have the oil revenue that would is in the process of being implemented, from Iraq prematurely it would become feed their terrorism and spread it and we have the Senate debating a safe haven, perhaps more dangerous throughout the world. We are fighting whether to set a deadline and leave, re- than the one al-Qaida had in Afghani- al-Qaida in Iraq. gardless of what has happened on the stan.’’ We would be going against one General Petraeus came to the Senate ground. of the wisest Secretaries of State we and put forth a different strategy. I This does three bad things. No. 1, it have ever had in our history, Henry asked him about it because I was very dishonors those who have already died Kissinger, who said: concerned about this strategy. I asked or been maimed. I met people today. I Whatever our domestic timetables, the col- him why he thought this would work, have met people at Brook Army Med- lapse of the American effort in Iraq would be why putting our troops outside the ical Center in San Antonio who have a geopolitical calamity. green zone and outside the protected been maimed. I have met with the It would go against the wisdom of areas embedded with Iraqis would loved ones of people who have been lost wars all the way back to the beginning. make a difference. He talked about the in this war already. If we cut and run, During the Civil War, General Ulys- need for the counterinsurgency meas- it is akin to saying there wasn’t an un- ses S. Grant, who did lead the Union ures to go to them and also to win over derlying cause for which they died. forces to victory, said: the neighborhoods. That is not true. There is an under- Experience proves that the man who ob- It is said by those who are on the lying cause. It is a fight for freedom structs a war in which his Nation is engaged, ground and have the expertise that it is every bit as much as any war which we no matter whether right or wrong, occupies working, that in the al-Qaida strong- have ever fought because if we let a ca- no enviable place in life or history. holds, the people have turned against liphate take over the Middle East, we Mr. President, this is not a new con- al-Qaida and they are helping America, are not going to live in freedom. That cept. This is a concept that has been and the tribal chieftains in that area is the purpose the terrorists have, and tested time and time and time again, are helping Americans. we cannot let them succeed. We cannot and retreating without honor is not an I met with a group of veterans today dishonor those who have died for this option for the greatest country on who have come back from Iraq. They cause. earth. were so strong and so firm. It was up- No. 2, it puts every one of our troops I hope the Senate will not look at the lifting to talk with them, just as it is who have boots on the ground today in election next year or the political uplifting to talk with any of our Ac- Iraq and Afghanistan in harm’s way whims, even though I know they are tive-Duty military. But to talk to that is a much greater harm than they strong, and I know sometimes it is

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9339 tough to stand up and do what is right ment, and I think I know why. I think said: Go, leave, we are fine. What are for the long term when the short term we can win this amendment, for the we doing? Are we that stubborn as a is very tough. But this is the Senate. first time. I think we can get more nation? Well, I think the majority of We are the elected leaders of the States than 50 votes, including a few brave Re- this United States Senate might very of our country. And they look to us for publicans for the first time on a real well be ready to vote to begin the rede- leadership. We cannot do less. Any of amendment. And so instead of allowing ployment of the troops. I don’t know these amendments that are message us to vote, as we allowed them to vote that. My colleagues will not let us get amendments that will never become on their amendment, the Cornyn there. Well, maybe I have convinced law, and we know it, are an undercut- amendment, they will not allow a vote. them, so I am going to try this again. ting of our troops when they have They are setting an artificial number— Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- boots on the ground. 60. We have to meet a 60-vote threshold sent that amendment No. 2088 be with- No matter how sincere the effort of in order to get to the Levin-Reed drawn and that at 7:30 p.m. today the all the authors of these amendments amendment. Senate vote on the Levin-Reed amend- are, and I know they are sincere, I All we are saying is let us vote. Peo- ment No. 2087, with the time between know they are looking for a way to ple are dying—our people—every day. now and then equally divided in the send that right message, there is no They are getting blown up. They are usual form and no second-degree message in these amendments that can wounded. My State has lost 21 percent amendment be in order. be right for our country. It is very sim- of the dead, many of whom never saw The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there ple and very clear. We are the United their 21st birthday. We can do better. objection? States of America, and the world ex- We can do better. We have given this Mr. BOND. I object. pects our country to lead, to be strong, President 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- to be unwavering, and to be as good as years, almost 5 years, and we are in a tion is heard. our military, which everyone acknowl- worse position. Mr. BOND addressed the Chair. edges is the best in the world. I just Oh, my colleague from Texas says, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- hope the Senate can meet that test. things are working. If you listen to her ator from California retains the floor. Mr. President, I yield the floor. you would think it is just wonderful Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, that is The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- over there. Then I would ask, in a rhe- now the fourth time—the fourth time— ator from California. torical fashion: Why do 60 percent of that our colleagues have objected. This Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, we are the Iraqis think it is OK to shoot and Senate must not be a rubberstamp for the greatest country in the world, and kill an American soldier? This is where any administration, especially when that is why I ask unanimous consent we are going to keep our troops? And our constituents are getting killed. We that amendment No. 2088 be withdrawn that is because we are the greatest are here to speak for the people. and that at 7 p.m. today the Senate country in the world? Now, my colleague from Texas says vote on the Levin-Reed amendment, The greatest country in the world we need to take a stand for freedom— No. 2087, with the time between now doesn’t keep the status quo going if it we need to take a stand for freedom— and then equally divided in the usual isn’t working. The greatest country in and I agree with her. However, once we form and no second-degree amend- the world steps up to the plate and allow the Iraqis, with our Armed ments in order. says: It is time for a change. And it is Forces protecting them every step of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there time, Mr. President, for a change. the way, to have three elections—three objection? The head of Iraq said: America, you elections—to be able to draw up a con- Mrs. HUTCHISON. I object. want to go? Go. We can take care of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- stitution, to have the ability to self- ourselves. govern, we can’t force them to do that. tion is heard. You know what is interesting is, I It is true that there is al-Qaida there. Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, it is met with General Petraeus when I was Al-Qaida, according to our own mili- once again clear, in the greatest coun- in Iraq. He was at that time the head of tary, is responsible for 15 percent of the try in the world, where debate is sup- training the Iraqis, and he was high on violence—15 percent—and it is ugly vi- posed to be free and open, where major- the Iraqi soldiers. He told me, and he olence, it is horrific violence, and we ity rules, we have been blocked now by told Senator MURRAY—he told all of us should go after it. After all, al-Qaida our Republican friends for the third on that trip—we had Republicans and time from having a vote on the Levin- Democrats—don’t you worry. At that cells didn’t exist in Iraq—I have the Reed amendment, which simply says it time he said: We have trained 200,000 document to prove it—until we went is time to change course in Iraq. Iraqis, and they are top notch—they in. We have been a recruiting tool. Un- It is not cut and run. You can stand are top notch—and they will be able to fortunately, this policy has been the here and say anything. I could say any- take over. recruiting tool. I have the documenta- thing: Black, white, pink, brown. It Unfortunately, the head of Iraq tion from the State Department that means nothing. This is not cut and run. didn’t think that was true. But General showed right before 9/11 how many cells Read the amendment. The amendment Petraeus, oh, he was Mr. Rosy Sce- there were in each country. Iraq wasn’t is very clear. It is very well thought nario. He said everything was great. even mentioned. But they are there out. And when I came back I gave a report now, and we need to get them, and that What it says is that we will start a to my constituents, and I said: You is part of the Levin-Reed amendment: redeployment of our troops out of Iraq know, I never voted for this war—I to change the mission to go after them. in 120 days; that we will seek diplo- thought it was a mistake—but I bear A fight for freedom? If people don’t matic solutions; that we will change good news. The Iraqis are being want freedom, can we force them to the mission, get our brave,—unbeliev- trained. As they step up, we will step want freedom? If people decide to kill ably brave—and courageous troops out down. their neighbor, what are we going to of the middle of a civil war and give I believed the President when he said do? Shia on Shia violence, Sunni on them a mission that can be accom- that one. Not to be. Not to be. The Shia, Shia on Sunni—just read the his- plished. And that mission, actually, is money we are pouring into that coun- tory books and you will see how long threefold—one is to go after al-Qaida in try a minute, folks—$250,000 a minute— this has been going on, and we put our a counterterrorism effort, one is to while we turn to our poor kids and say: brave men and women right in the mid- continue to train the Iraqi forces, and Sorry, we can’t renew the children’s dle. one is to protect our troops, force pro- health insurance; and, gee, we are real- This is the greatest country on tection. ly sorry 2 million kids are waiting in Earth, by far and away, and the great- You can say cut and run. It isn’t cut line for afterschool. We are really est country on Earth doesn’t have a and run. It sounds good. Create a straw sorry. So we are sending good dollars Senate that is a rubberstamp. It man. But that is not what Levin-Reed after bad dollars, endlessly, open doesn’t have a Senate that fights for does. checkbook. the status quo when the status quo It is clear our Republican friends will The Iraqis don’t want us there. They isn’t working. The greatest country on not allow us to vote on this amend- do not want us there. The head of Iraq Earth shouldn’t send our men and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9340 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 women back two, three, four, and five The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- States since the September 11, 2001, at- times to fight without adequate rest, ator from Missouri. tacks, and they have disrupted a num- and yet our Republican friends set up a Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I would ber of terrorist plots outlined in the 60-vote hurdle for Senator WEBB and comment that in the process of work- classified portion of the report, de- Senator HAGEL so we couldn’t even ing out votes, the minority leader has signed to take effect in the United pass something that said give them offered to the majority leader to sched- States of America. rest before they go back; give them the ule votes on this and other amend- One of the good parts about it is that equipment before they go back. It is ments at an appropriate time. There is the terrorist groups are now telling not what the greatest country on Earth no need to do the all-night gig. It may each other the United States is a hard- does to its fighting men and women. make grand Hollywood theater, but it er target. That makes them less likely That is wrong. doesn’t necessarily move forward what to attack here. That is great news. It A New York Times story, here is a is an extremely important bill. means the hard work of our men and woman, April Ponce De Leon, who de- This is a bill that not only authorizes women in the military, our intel- scribes herself and her husband as our war fighters, it provides additional ligence services and our law enforce- resources. It provides them a badly ‘‘gung-ho marines,’’ and in 2 weeks she ment in the United States, are doing needed 3-plus percent pay increase. We deploys to Iraq where her husband has their job—and they are succeeding. been fighting since March. But she says traditionally move these bills forward because, when we are fighting a war, While America is safer, there are still she stopped believing in the war last threats around the world, and we have month after a telephone conversation we need to support the troops. But these amendments are designed to sub- to remain vigilant in fighting terror- with him. ists at home and abroad. The intel- He started telling me he doesn’t want me stitute the judgment of 535 generals in this wonderful air-conditioned Capitol ligence report notes that al-Qaida lead- to go and do the things he has been doing. ership continues to plan attacks. They That is what CPL Ponce De Leon, 22, for the judgment of the generals and the commanders in the field who every have a relative safe haven in the north- speaking by telephone, said as she day go out and fight that battle to west area of Pakistan known as the boxed up her belongings in their apart- maintain peace, restore peace and se- Federally Administered Tribal Areas, ment near Camp Lejeune, NC. curity in the area, and to protect our or FATA. They are increasing their ca- He said that we have all decided it’s time home front. pabilities from that area to launch at- for us to go home. The Iraqis have said they don’t want tacks on the United States. And the wife said: us there permanently. I think we all It is important to point out that You mean go home and rest? And he said, agree we don’t want to be there perma- these findings do not mean, as some er- I mean go home and not go back. nently. But they also said we need to roneously reported last week, that al- And she said: continue to train their troops. We need Qaida is as strong as it was before the This is from someone who has been train- to make sure they maintain security in September 11 attacks, or even nearly ing for the past nine years to go to combat the area. They are not ready to do that as strong. It does mean that America and who has spent his whole life wanting to now. must always be prepared for attacks on be a marine. That’s when I realized I Sunni sheiks in Al Anbar Province, our homeland and continue to take ap- couldn’t support the war anymore, even which I was pleased to visit 2 months though I will follow my orders. propriate offensive and defensive coun- ago, are working with our forces and terterrorism activities. So when we listen to some of our col- they are making great progress. They Unfortunately, the intelligence re- leagues make it sound as if those of us have been sending in their young Sunni who want to change the mission and port, the NIE, also finds that inter- men to be trained as Iraqi police and national cooperation against terrorism start redeploying the troops in 120 days Iraqi Army. They need training. They don’t stand behind our troops, I say, may wane as September 11 becomes a are not ready yet. They are being very distant memory. That ought to be a Mr. President, it is the opposite. They successful because our American ma- can’t speak out. They do not have a real concern to all of us. I hope my col- rines are embedded with them. With leagues take note because this should box to stand on and a microphone. We them, they have taken Ramadi, the owe them the truth as we see it. serve as a warning to all of us, a warn- capital of Al Anbar, which was totally ing for Congress, and the American It is perfectly legitimate for our col- under the control of al-Qaida a few leagues to disagree with us. Abso- people to remain vigilant and com- months ago, and made it a safe place mitted to the war on terror. Our re- lutely. And I would die for their right not only for Americans but for every- to disagree with us. But what I think is sponsibility in Congress is to continue day Iraqis to walk the streets, to do to give law enforcement and the intel- wrong is when it comes to a vote of their business, to get back to a normal conscience like a war, to set up a 60- ligence community the tools they need life. to track, interrogate, capture or kill vote hurdle. Let’s have a vote. Let the I am here today as the vice chairman majority rule. Let’s see what happens. and prosecute terrorists, such as the of the Senate Select Committee on In- PATRIOT Act and the modernization What are you afraid of? The Presi- telligence to talk about an important dent has already said he is going to of the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Sur- report issued today. Today, the Direc- veillance Act—very important; Also, veto this thing, but it is our job to tor of National Intelligence released the 9/11 Commission recommendations keep the pressure on, Mr. President. So key findings that could be made public on changing congressional oversight to I am very proud to stand here tonight. on the National Intelligence Estimate, make it effective in dealing with the I am very sorry I have asked twice to or NIE, on the terrorist threat to the new challenges put on the intelligence go straight to a vote on the Levin-Reed U.S. homeland. That report outlined a community today. amendment, but we are not able to do number of key findings of which I that. think our colleagues and all Americans Knowing full well that the retreat- Others will come, and I will be back should be aware. and-defeat crowd does not have the after several hours myself. When you First, today’s intelligence report votes, I see the majority has opted for lose 21 percent in your home State, you found that carrying the battle to al- political gains and political theater. have a lot on your heart; a lot you Qaida, gaining worldwide cooperation With apologies to our dedicated floor want to say. So I look forward to com- in the war on terror, has set them staff and the many wonderful men and ing back to the floor. And to my col- back. They have made our country and women who keep this place operating, leagues on both sides of the aisle, I other free countries safer because al- you are going to be operating all night know this is a tough night. I know it is Qaida and its related radical Islamist long, around the clock, for a political emotional, but I am glad we are doing groups are no longer able to have the show, not to achieve anything signifi- it. And I hope at the end of the day, free rein they had prior to our attacks cant in terms of helping win the war. when someone asks unanimous consent to clean them out of Afghanistan and Foremost, the biggest losers from all to go to a vote, there will be no objec- to keep them out of Iraq. this grandstanding are our fighting tion and we can do so. In fact, our efforts have prevented al- men and women who are risking their Mr. President, I yield the floor. Qaida from attacking the United lives on the line in Iraq, carrying out

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9341 their mission and the mission they be- across the globe that our Nation is our enemies in Iraq, unlike in Vietnam, lieve they are carrying out success- fractured, weak, and does not have the the victors. The victors would follow us fully. will to see it through. This same mes- home. The North Vietnamese did not The majority has a political game sage can discourage allies and the mil- follow us home after we lost in Viet- plan. But, sadly, it is not about how to lions of Iraqis who are risking their nam. Al-Qaida will follow us home if achieve victory, it is a plan blindly fix- lives for a chance at freedom by sup- we allow them to achieve victory over ated on trying to embarrass the Presi- porting us. For not only is the safety us in Iraq. dent, trying to figure out a way they and security of our Nation and allies at We have seen in recent weeks, since can win votes for November 2008. It of- stake but so, too, is our credibility. the implementation of General fers no help for the creation of sta- Critics of us have frequently claimed Petraeus’s plan, movement has begun bility and freedom in Iraq and thus the war has damaged the U.S. image in the right direction. When I returned continued safety for ourselves. and credibility throughout the world. from Iraq in May, I observed, even at Our commanders and fighting men Yet the retreat-and-defeat crowd ig- that point, some initial signs that the and women, while this debate is under- nores the irreparable harm that would planning and working was moving in way, are actually trying to achieve vic- be done here were we to leave this mis- the right direction. Sunni sheiks in tory. But they have been listening to sion unfinished. Anbar are now fighting al-Qaida; more us and they have questions. They send If you think our image and reputa- than 50 joint U.S.-Iraq stations have questions to us saying: Why are you tion has plummeted, wait and watch it been established in Baghdad, con- not going to give General Petraeus’s nosedive if we were to leave Iraq before ducting regular patrols, resulting in in- plan, which he said he would report on finishing the job. Think about what creased security and actionable intel- in September, an opportunity to dem- would happen to the millions of Iraqi ligence. onstrate it can work? Why have you no citizens and leaders who took a stand Muqtada al-Sadr has felt the heat. patience? We, who are sitting in the against terrorism, who committed to His followers, while perhaps have dem- air-conditioned Halls of Congress while take a stand with us to rebuild their onstrated against American troops, are they are out in 130-plus degree heat country and fight against the forces of not contesting them. They and Jaysh risking their lives. They are willing to radical Islam and terrorism. What are al-Mahdi, the Shia militant group, has wait. But they are watching and listen- we to say to the millions of Iraqis who stood down. The Iraqi Army and police ing to the cut-and-run arguments. So trusted America and believed we would forces are increasingly fighting on are our allies, Sunnis, such as the stay until the mission was complete, their own, with their size and capa- Sunni sheiks in Al Anbar Province who only to see them slaughtered by terror- bility growing. are risking everything if we run and ists as a result of our abandoning them July 16, the Wall Street Journal car- leave because they have taken on al- ried an article by Omar Fadhil. He said before they were able to stand on their Qaida. They don’t want to live under the surge is working, fully operational own. al-Qaida. The neighbors of Iraq who are I mentioned on this floor before, for barely a month. He defines the two gradually realizing they have a role in what did we say to the thousands of most dangerous enemies in Iraq we face helping Iraq be stable are seeing us fal- South Vietnamese or millions of Cam- in Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia and ter and hesitate. bodians who put their trust in America al-Qaida, and he says: Do you know who else is listening? and were slaughtered after we aban- Sadr’s militias have moved the main bat- Al-Qaida and the violent terrorists tlefield south to cities like Samwah, with whom we are at war, and I suspect doned them? History has taught us Nasiriyah and Diwaniyah where there’s no they are absolutely revelling in what that when America abandons its com- American surge of troops, and from which they are hearing. I imagine they loved mitments to spreading liberty and free- many Iraqi troops were recalled to serve in hearing our majority leader saying the dom, we are not the only ones who suf- Baghdad. But over there, too, the Iraqi secu- fer. Hundreds of thousands may well rity forces and local administrations did not war has been lost. That is not a great show the weakness that Sadr was hoping to message for our troops but one that suffer, but it will come back to harm us and haunt us in our homeland—not see. As a result, Sadr’s representatives have certainly brings cheer to the hearts of been forced to accept ‘‘truces.’’ al-Qaida. only our credibility. This may make things sound as if Sadr has They call for troop withdrawal dead- In January of this year, before the the upper hand, that he can force a truce on lines. They say the cost of war is too Senate Intelligence Committee, the the state. But, the fact this is missing from high. The constant barrage of negative leaders—the Director of National Intel- news reports is that, with each new eruption news without the balanced report on ligence, the CIA Director, the Defense of clashes, Sadr’s position becomes weaker the progress our troops are making— Intelligence Agency Director—testified as tribes and local administrations join in public session. They said if we pulled forces to confront his outlaw militias. we need only listen to the words of the And regarding al-Qaida, he writes that terrorists themselves who have identi- out on a political timetable, chaos they, al-Qaida, have not been any luckier fied Iraq as the central front on the would ensue. What would happen? than Sadr, and the tide began to turn even war on terrorism. Osama bin Laden, in No. 1, there would be a tremendous before the surge was announced. The change his audio message to what he hoped increase in slaughter among Sunni and came from the most unlikely city and un- were his fellow Muslims in December of Shia in Iraq. likely people, Ramadi and its Sunni tribes. 2004, said: No. 2, al-Qaida would be able to es- He goes on to say: In Baghdad the results tablish a safe haven, a platform where have been just as spectacular so far. The dis- The world’s millstone and pillar is in Bagh- trict where al-Qaida claimed to have estab- dad, the capital of the caliphate. they could get the oil revenues they needed to fund their efforts and signifi- lished it Islamic emirate is losing big now, Our own servicemembers such as 1LT and at the hands of its former allies who Pete Hegseth, an Iraqi war veteran and cantly increase the threat to our have turned on al-Qaida and are slowly director of the Vets for Freedom re- United States of America and possibly reaching out to government. cently, knows the importance of even to foment a regionwide civil war, MG Rick Lynch, 3rd Infantry Divi- achieving victory. He said, as one who as other nations would come in to the sion Commander, provided a telling ex- has been on the frontlines: rescue of their coreligionists in Iraq. ample in yesterday’s New York Times. Iraq today is the front line of a global To ignore these considerations and In the village of Al Taqa, about 20 Jihad being waged against America and its questions simply because they are per- miles southwest of Baghdad, Lynch allies. Both Osama bin Laden and Ayman al- ceived to be more politically palatable said women and children were taping Zawahiri have said so. than continuing the vital mission that plastic pipes on streetlamps to warn But despite this enormous effort, the our troops are fighting is shortsighted Iraqi security forces of roadside bombs. retreat-and-defeat crowd still wants to at best and dangerous at worst. Those He also stated that locals have exposed micromanage this war 8,000 miles away who are attempting to end the war pre- al-Qaida hideouts, helped troops locate from the fight and set timetables and cipitously because they are vested po- 170 large caches of arms, and guaran- troop movements and ultimately to en- litically in defeat do not want to talk teed organized armed neighborhood gineer a defeat brought on by retreat. about the fact that the war in Iraq will controls could keep safety. These actions most egregiously send do anything but end—in fact would While I would agree that there is no mixed messages to our enemies all only grow more dangerous—if we leave guarantee of victory, and we have a

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9342 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 long way to go, we certainly need to Our Nation and the Iraqis have paid a killed 150 people. The Shia-controlled make every effort to achieve it. The heavy price for the administration’s police units responded by systemati- war in Iraq is far more important on a mistakes. To date, over 3,600 U.S. sol- cally kidnapping and murdering 70 front that is far larger than that bat- diers have died and over 23,000 have Sunnis. This is not an isolated episode. tlefield. It is the global battlefield. been wounded, many sustaining life- Approximately 600 U.S. soldiers have That is why we are fighting in Iraq, to changing injuries. Seventy-seven of the died during the surge, and more than keep our country safe, to make sure al- brave men and women who have lost 3,000 have been wounded. Violence in Qaida does not get the upper hand, to their lives have been from Maryland. many sectors of Iraq has increased. De- make sure our troops, who are carrying U.S. taxpayers have spent at least $320 spite the valiant effort of our troops, out their mission to stop al-Qaida, can billion so far. According to the Con- terrorist attacks in Iraq and around do so in Iraq rather than hand them gressional Research Service, the war in the world continue to rise. Tensions be- the victory which will embolden them, Iraq currently costs $10 billion per tween countries in the Middle East re- which will allow them significant re- month. gion are growing. sources from the oil-rich Iraqi sands These expenditures represent lost op- Middle East autocrats have an even and give them the courage to expand portunities in our own country. firmer grip on power. The Arab-Israeli recruiting and attack our country. Tragically, we have lost our focus in conflict has deteriorated. Our military We cannot allow cut-and-run amend- the war against terrorism. Afghanistan is stretched thin. And the most recent ments to be added to a vital authoriza- is not secure, and Osama bin Laden is intelligence analysis reports that the tion bill to support our American still at large. For over a year, there al-Qaida group that attacked our Na- troops. has been a significant increase in the tion, the al-Qaida in Afghanistan and I yield the floor. level of violence in Iraq. The main rea- Pakistan, is stronger now than at any The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- son for this escalation has been sec- time since September 11, 2001. ator from Maryland. tarian violence. The 2007 emergency supplemental ap- Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I wel- U.S. military commanders have con- propriations bill required President come the debate on the U.S. role in firmed that the Sunni-Shiite conflict is Bush to report to Congress and the Iraq, and I urge my colleagues to allow the greatest source of violence in Iraq. American people on the progress Iraqis us to vote on the issue. I think each of Iraq is in the midst of a civil war, and are making in achieving certain bench- us was elected to cast our votes and the presence of American troops in the marks. These benchmarks were estab- this is the most critical issue that is middle of a civil war is counter- lished so there could be a new way for- facing this Nation and we should be productive. In fact, there is not one ward in Iraq with regard to securing ci- able to cast a vote on this issue, hope- civil war raging in Iraq, there are vilian populations, establishing the fully tonight. many civil wars in Iraq. In Baghdad, Iraqi security force’s capacity, and sup- I urge my colleagues to support the Sunnis are fighting Shias. In Anbar porting an Iraqi Government that amendment offered by Senators LEVIN and Diyala, Sunnis are fighting each would have credibility and confidence and REED to the Defense authorization other. In southern Iraq, Shiites are at the national and provincial levels. legislation. It is similar to the provi- fighting each other. And around We now have received the first report sions Congress originally passed on the Kirkuik and Mosul Kurds are fighting from the administration. This assess- emergency supplemental appropria- Sunnis. ment confirms the failures of the tions bill that President Bush vetoed. Our first priority should be to re- President’s policies in Iraq by his own We now have more information than move our troops from the middle of objectives. The Iraqis have failed to we did 3 months ago when we acted on these civil wars. The Levin-Reed make satisfactory progress in key the supplemental appropriations bill. amendment will do just that. In order areas. For example, it is critical, crit- We know the President’s surge policy to bolster our military and refocus its ical for the Iraqi Parliament to pass has not worked. By the President’s own attention on the global terrorism legislation ensuring equitable distribu- assessment, the Iraqis have failed to threat, this Congress has attempted, on tion of the hydrocarbon oil revenues. meet the most important interim more than one occasion, to redeploy Without such legislation, it is difficult benchmarks required for stability in U.S. forces and change the mission of to believe that the ethnic communities Iraq. The Levin-Reed amendment our operations in Iraq. will have confidence in their central would change our mission in Iraq to President Bush and a minority in government. The Bush administra- limit U.S. involvement to conducting Congress have rebuffed this effort. In- tion’s assessment on this benchmark: counterterrorism operations, pro- stead, President Bush proposes a strat- not satisfactory. tecting U.S. forces and military infra- egy he claimed would improve the situ- Another benchmark concerns disar- structure during redeployment, and ation in Iraq: increasing the number of mament of the militias. We have heard training Iraqi forces. troops deployed, and stepping up tradi- about the militias and how they run It would set a deadline of April 30, tional counterinsurgent operations. their own affairs and take over ethnic 2008, for all U.S. combat troops to be According to President Bush, in- communities. It is necessary that the removed from attempting to quell the creased U.S. troops would stabilize the Iraqi security forces be the national civil war in Iraq. We should not wait a country so that its national leaders military. Eliminating militia control single additional day in changing the could operate in a safe environment in of local security is an additional U.S. mission in Iraq. which to reach political agreement on benchmark. The Bush administration’s I have opposed the war from the in- oil and revenue sharing laws and assessment on those key benchmarks: ception. In October 2002, I voted amend their constitution. Further- not satisfactory and unsatisfactory. against giving President Bush the au- more, so the theory went, increased Our goal has always been for the thority to use U.S. troops in Iraq. I U.S. troop levels would enable us to ac- Iraqi commanders being able to make have likewise opposed the President’s celerate training initiatives so that the tactical and operational decisions management of this war. The adminis- Iraqi Army and police force could as- without political intervention to un- tration misrepresented or ignored in- sume control over all security in the cover and pursue all extremists on all telligence about Iraq. The administra- country by November 2007. sides. The Iraqi security forces provide tion’s effort to garner international President Bush sent over 28,000 more even-handed enforcement of the law. support for the war was totally inad- soldiers into Iraq with the hope of ful- That is critical if the Government is equate. Our troops went to Iraq with- filling the goals of his plan. President going to have the confidence of its peo- out adequate equipment. The President Bush insists on continuing this surge ple. The Bush administration’s own as- failed to prepare for the insurgency. policy. But the so-called surge is not sessment on these benchmarks: unsat- The leadership in the White House working. Some of the most brutal acts isfactory. wrongfully ordered the dismantling of of sectarian violence have occurred It is critical that the Iraqi security the internal Iraqi police, putting the during the surge. forces be able to operate independ- local communities at the mercy of the For example, in March of this year, a ently. This benchmark is particularly insurgents. truck bomb in a Shia neighborhood important if we are going to be able to

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9343 draw down on the U.S. troops in Iraq. There is no action the American military ing the Iraqis negotiate a government The Bush administration’s assessment can take that by itself can bring about suc- and a governmental structure that has on this benchmark: not satisfactory. cess in Iraq. the confidence of its people, that pro- The interim report the administra- The efforts will most certainly in- tects the rights of all of its citizens, tion released last week confirms that clude stepped-up diplomatic efforts. and builds the democratic institutions Iraqi security forces still cannot be Iraq’s neighbors have a stake in Iraqi such as an independent judiciary and a trusted to enforce the law fairly. Some stability. The war in Iraq has produced market-based economy that are so have taken part in sectarian violence, hundreds of thousands of refugees. An vital to a successful country. and some even have turned on Amer- escalation of the conflict will mean There is a difference between being ican troops. even more refugees, which is a major resolute and being stubborn. We can no In order to have national reconcili- concern to Iraq’s neighbors. longer ignore overwhelming evidence ation and the political elements for An escalation in the conflict means or recoil from the cold reality the facts stability in Iraq, it is necessary to the spread of fundamentalism and sec- on the ground reveal. President Bush’s enact and implement debaathification tarian violence, and an increase in policies have failed. The world has an reforms; another critical benchmark basic crime and lawlessness, not just to interest in a safe and secure Iraq. I be- that was established with the United Iraq but to the region. lieve efforts to rebuild the country We must support and broaden efforts States and the Iraqis. The Bush admin- must be a shared responsibility among made to create the International Com- istration’s assessment on this bench- nations. pact for Iraq, a 5-year plan launched mark: not satisfactory. There is no more time for delay. It is this past April under the auspices of Most troubling, the Iraqi Govern- time to change the mission, redeploy the United Nations with benchmarks ment is seriously weakened, and many our troops currently stationed in Iraq, for Iraq’s national reconciliation and predict its collapse. The major Sunni and internationalize the effort to bring economic reconstruction. party is currently boycotting the Gov- That compact includes formal com- stability to that country and to the ernment. Without Sunni participation, mitments of support from the inter- Middle East. Such a strategy could meaningful progress on any key polit- national community. But we must give the Iraqis a real hope for peace ical benchmarks is impossible. begin to have a broader diplomatic and and give Americans the best chance to Whatever progress the President’s in- economic vision in the Middle East achieve our objectives in that region of terim report claims, it is clear that our that includes engaging both the United the world. military has not curbed sectarian vio- Nations and the Organization for Secu- Our soldiers have honored our coun- lence, nor has the troop escalation pro- rity and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, try by their incredible service. We owe vided sectarian influence over and in- in Iraq and Afghanistan. it to our soldiers to change our mission filtration of the Iraqi security forces, The various agencies of the United now so we have the best chance to or forced Iraqi political leaders to Nations are best suited to tackle the achieve these objectives. make the tough decisions necessary to myriad problems plaguing Iraq. Mat- I yield the floor. move forward toward peace. ters of security, training, economics, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I think it is time to acknowledge and community development and pro- ator from South Carolina. that President Bush’s troop escalation viding electricity, water, and sanita- Mr. DEMINT. Mr. President, you has failed. It has failed to make Iraq tion service are all areas where the would never know it from our debate more secure. The Iraqi Government re- United Nations has expertise. the last couple of weeks, but we are mains incapable of organizing its secu- Just as important, the United States here to talk about the Defense author- rity forces or its legislature to achieve should request OSCE to assist Iraq as a ization bill, this rather large bill that a semblance of stability or political partner for cooperation. There is prece- is at all of our desks. Much broader reconciliation. dent for this. Afghanistan has already than just any particular conversation It is time to change the mission in moved in that direction. Afghanistan about Iraq, or any particular battle, Iraq. The cost of further delays in has begun participation in OSCE pro- this is to authorize appropriations for lives, material, treasure, standing in ceedings under this program. This sta- fiscal year 2008, for military activities the world, is just too great. President tus could allow OSCE to assist Iraq and the Department of Defense, for Bush’s strategy has put this Nation at with collective border security, police military construction, for defense ac- greater risk, a risk that metastasizes training—which is desperately need- tivities and the Department of Energy, each day that we sit by and wait. Wait ed—immigration and religious toler- to proscribe military personnel for what? For new evidence of failure ance efforts. strengths for such fiscal year, and to accumulate, for news that more Engaging the UN and OSCE could other purposes. American soldiers have died and Iraqi help initiate much needed multilateral One of the most important bills that civilians have been killed? and bilateral engagement with both we debate and pass, this includes It is critical for the United States to friendly nations such as Turkey and money for aircraft, missiles, weapons change policy in Iraq, and it starts by with hostile nations such as Iran and systems, vehicles, all of the things we removing our troops from the middle of Syria. need to protect and secure our coun- a civil war. The Levin-Reed amend- Engagement of the international try—a very important bill. ment would do that. Our new mission community to deal with Iran and Syr- I appreciate that the minority a must recognize that the opportunity ia’s destabilizing regional policies is a number of times this evening has said: for sweeping regional change, if it ever critical factor that is needed and a re- We need to go ahead and vote, particu- existed, has passed. newed effort to resolve the Arab-Israeli larly on the amendment in front of us, Instead, we need to focus on realistic conflict. the Levin amendment. And while the objectives which include preventing Iraq should request assistance from normal procedure is to get agreements the conflict in Iraq from igniting a the United Nations and other inter- between the sides on when we vote, the broader regional war and preventing national forces to help prevent contin- minority filed cloture on this bill. genocide. ued ethnic cleansing. According to the There is really no need to delay the Unfortunately, we cannot rewrite United Nations 2005 World Summit, a cloture vote any further. history. The United States does have a high-level plenary meeting of the 60th Ms. MIKULSKI. Could I just offer an responsibility toward assisting the session of the General Assembly, states observation? We are not the minority, Iraqis and working for peace in that re- have a responsibility to protect their we are the majority. gion. It is in the interests of our coun- population from genocide, war crimes, Mr. DEMINT. Thank you. Bad habits try to do that. There is no easy path to ethnic cleansing, and crimes against die hard. Thank you for correcting me. achieve the objectives of stability in humanity. This is an international re- But we do need to move ahead with Iraq and protection of all of its ethnic sponsibility, not solely a U.S. responsi- the cloture vote. There is no need for communities. bility. the theatrics through the evening on As the bipartisan Iraq Study Group I believe the strategy I have just out- this. And since the majority has filed noted: lined presents the best chance of help- for a cloture vote, I ask unanimous

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9344 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 consent that the cloture vote for the We have had a lot of debate this year. continue to talk through the night and pending Levin amendment occur at 8:30 But recently when the President sub- talk day after day about ‘‘we have this evening. mitted his war spending bill, emer- lost’’ or ‘‘we can’t win’’ or ‘‘we The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there gency supplemental bill, to fund our shouldn’t be there’’ or ‘‘we are not objection? troops, we had a lot of debate. My making progress,’’ when those who are Mr. LEVIN. Reserving the right to Democratic colleagues had a lot of dif- there doing the fighting are telling us object, I wonder if the Senator will re- ferent ideas. The President vetoed one quite a different story. peat that. version. After that, we came to an Mr. President, I wish to address at Mr. DEMINT. I ask unanimous con- agreement. The Democrats would force least one amendment to the Defense sent that the cloture vote on the pend- the President to agree that after we authorization bill that I think is an ex- ing Levin amendment occur at 8:30 this sent General Petraeus there—and that ample of what we need to be doing to evening. was a unanimous thing, to send Gen- make our military more efficient. Mr. LEVIN. Objection. eral Petraeus to Baghdad to secure the There are a lot of things we do as a The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- area, we sent thousands of new troops. Congress that force our military to do tion is heard. The Democrats agreed on that funding, things maybe for political reasons that Mr. DEMINT. Mr. President, it is don’t help us militarily. One is related clear that the cloture motion as has but they requested that we have a re- port from General Petraeus in the mid- to aircraft retirement. been filed by the majority is clearly I have an amendment that I hope we not what they want to happen this dle of September to find out what progress we were making. We all can get to, amendment No. 2302, that is evening. So it does seem to be that this related to aircraft retirement. Some is all about a political circus to keep us agreed to that. But after we all agreed and had the signing at the White call it flyable storage. I was amazed to here all night for some political the- find out that Congress has required the ater to try to embarrass the President House, that is now not good enough for my Democratic colleagues. Air Force to maintain in flying condi- and in the process demoralize our tion permanently grounded aircraft at troops and embolden our enemies. As we heard one political strategist say about the Democrats, any day they the cost of millions of dollars a year. Instead of talking about substantive Many of these older aircraft, because of amendments to the Defense authoriza- are not talking about Iraq is a bad day. They want to make political hay out of structural integrity, safety concerns, tion bill, what I hear the majority will never fly again. Yet we require speaking of is message amendments, to this difficult situation that our coun- try faces. them to be maintained in operational try to message their political theater. status for that last flight to the junk- The fact is, this is about winning We have a new plan almost every day of how we are going to withdraw and yard. elections. The majority has given Between 2000 and 2007, retirement re- many quotes to the media. One senior retreat, a strategy du jour in the Sen- ate. We will be talking about a lot of strictions cost the Air Force $893 mil- Democratic aide on Fox News, when lion, and almost $143 million has gone asked about staying up all night, said: those new strategies as we go through the evening. to modify aircraft the Air Force would Is this a publicity stunt? Yes. like to retire. This year, the Air Force Senator REID was quoted as saying at But as has already been mentioned will spend $8.1 million to maintain the a press conference: I don’t know if we by some of my Republican colleagues aircraft in flyable storage, $8.1 million will get 60 votes, but I tell you one who talk a lot with the troops who to maintain aircraft that will never be thing, there are 21 Republicans up for come home, almost without exception used again. This will happen year after reelection this time. they believe in our mission, and they year. Senator REID was quoted in the believe they can win. What we are ask- There has been some political pres- Washington Post as: We are going to ing tonight of the majority is to let sure to keep this because some mainte- pick up Senate seats as a result of this them win. Let Petraeus do what we nance happens in different States war. Senator SCHUMER has shown me sent him to do. Give him the time that where various Senators and Congress- numbers that are compelling and as- we gave him—until September—to demonstrate that we can secure Bagh- men want that to continue. tounding. My amendment will just give the Air So while the majority is putting us dad, at least reasonably, in a way that Force the flexibility to retire aircraft through political theater in hopes of the Government can function and the that needs to be retired. Most Ameri- picking up Senate seats in 2008, our Na- economy can rebound and the country cans would think that is just basic tional Intelligence Estimate, which can begin to establish itself as a free common sense, and I hope we can agree just came out, is very clear in their and independent democracy. What we are seeing again is what we on that in the Senate. key judgment. It says: We judge that I hope we can get back to the debate have seen over the past years. My the U.S. homeland will face a per- on this Defense authorization bill. I am Democratic colleagues, while well in- sistent and evolving terrorist threat very sorry that the majority will not tended, are very often weak on defense over the next 3 years. let us move to the cloture vote on the The main threat comes from Islamic and national security on almost every Levin amendment, which is pending. terrorist groups themselves, especially measure fighting for security. We But if we need to talk through the al-Qaida driven by their undiminished would not even give our homeland se- night, we will continue to talk through intent to attack the homeland and a curity the same tools to fight terror- the night. continued effort by these terrorists ists as we give our law enforcement to I yield the floor. groups to adopt and improve their ca- fight drug dealers. Certainly, terrorists The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. pabilities. are as much a threat to us. BROWN). The Senator from Maryland. The report is clear that we have a Some of my Democratic colleagues Mr. LEVIN. Will the Senator yield broad threat, a global threat. It is not have even said this is a bumper sticker for a unanimous consent request? just about Iraq. The whole Defense au- campaign, not a real war. I think we Ms. MIKULSKI. Yes. thorization is very important. We have to begin this whole process by Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I ask should not be sidelining the discussion recognizing, as our national intel- unanimous consent that after the Sen- of important issues of national defense ligence estimate tells us time and ator from Maryland finishes her re- and security with political theater this again, this is a real threat, a con- marks, then on the Republican side, I evening. tinuing threat, one that we need to be understand Senator WARNER will be the But it is important, as some of my prepared for in many ways, and we next speaker, and then that Senator colleagues have done, to kind of review need to develop more of a consensus in SCHUMER be recognized on our side. what we have been through the last few the Senate of how we are going to fight The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there months. Certainly, all of us are con- it. objection? cerned about the progress in Iraq, the Our troops do believe in what they Mr. CORNYN. Reserving the right to safety of our troops. We all want to fin- are doing. They believe it is a right object, and I will not object, I would ish our job with honor, with victory, to cause, and they believe they can win. just like to add Senator BUNNING after bring our troops home. We need to let them win. We shouldn’t Senator SCHUMER, if I may.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9345 The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without someone has to manage it, and it is Now is the day that we should objection, it is so ordered. about time. For the last 5 years, Con- refocus our mission in Iraq and also Mr. LEVIN. I thank my friend from gress has been under the rule of the follow the path forward that was rec- Maryland. other party. It has been a rubberstamp ommended and have our troops home Ms. MIKULSKI. I am glad we got one for the Bush administration. The re- by April 1, 2008. We know the Levin- of them. Maybe we can start a momen- sults have been devastating to our Reed-Hagel, et al, amendment directs tum here. military, to America’s standing in the the Secretary of Defense to begin re- Mr. President, I never thought I world, to the Iraqi people. We had ducing the number of U.S. forces in would see the day in the Senate when troops sent to battle with inadequate Iraq no later than 120 days to begin there would be essentially a gag rule protection and no plan for victory. We those important diplomatic and polit- on the subject of war, essentially a gag had modest international support, and ical strategies. And it also leaves U.S. rule preventing us from voting on the now that is dwindling. Our former Sec- forces there for three missions: pro- deployment of our troops and a frame- retary of Defense was imperious and tecting other U.S. troops, completing work for them to be able to come turned a blind eye to cronyism and cor- the training of Iraq troops, and engag- home. We are supposed to be the ruption at every level of the recon- ing in targeted counterterrorism oper- world’s greatest deliberative body, but struction. ations. But it also requires them to the other party has chosen to throw You know what, it is time for some- complete it by April 30, 2008. This is sand in the gears to give us a vote one to manage the war, and we are what I advocate. where we would present a framework. ready to do it. We are ready to lead. We I am not new to this position. I never The previous speaker talked about just need to have a vote. wanted to go to war in the first place. that we Democrats present a strategy It is time to stop talking, it is time You see, I read all those intelligence du jour on the war. I challenge that for action, and it is time for the Senate reports, and I never believed that the statement and say it is the White to have its say and its day on an actual President should be granted unilateral House that gives us a strategy du jour, vote. authority to engage in a war where a strategy of the week, always chang- This isn’t about theater, it is not there was no imminent threat to the ing goals. When the war was originally about polls, and it is not about politics. United States of America. I was one of voted for, it was to get rid of Saddam It is about the will of the American 23. Four years ago on October 11, I op- Hussein and get rid of weapons of mass people. It is about honoring democratic posed the President giving this author- destruction. Saddam is gone and there principles. It is about doing the job we ity and asked that we exhaust our dip- were no weapons of mass destruction. were elected to do. lomatic options, asked us to stick with I support the bipartisan amendment If that was the goal of the war, come the U.N., and I said: I am just so con- of Levin, Reed, and Hagel and other back home. Then it was to create de- cerned that I don’t know if our troops Republicans because it begins the proc- mocracy in Iraq. Now it is to secure will be met with a parade or a land- ess of bringing our troops home. But it Baghdad. It is a goal and a strategy du mine. We know where we are. So off we not only brings them home, it brings went. We went to war with Iraq, and jour. them home safely and swiftly. We have to come up with the right now we are at war within Iraq. Saddam The Iraqis must understand the fu- is gone, but we are still there mired in kind of framework, but we also need to ture of their nation is now in their be able to offer our votes. Mr. Presi- a civil war. hands, and our troops have to under- No one could ask more of our troops. dent, 47 times this year the Republican stand that the Congress is with them They have been brave, they have been minority has threatened a filibuster on and we want to be with them when courageous, and they have followed the a variety of bills that we want to bring they are on the battlefield and when request of their Commander in Chief. up on both domestic and foreign policy; they come home. We believe the best We need to look out for them. I believe 47 times they have threatened a fili- way to support our troops is to create we will. Other aspects of this bill, par- buster, and now they have gone too far. a framework to bring them home swift- ticularly the Wounded Warriors Act, Now the other party refuses to give us ly and safely. look out for the veterans who have a vote on the most important issue we There are those who want to talk been injured, look out by reforming the face: the war in Iraq and the deploy- about alternatives. There are those disability benefits system, look out for ment of our troops. who are blocking the vote on this the health care they need from the VA. Our President talks about building a amendment saying it is too soon to It is time for a new direction. It is democratic Iraq. We should start with withdraw. They have suddenly discov- time for us to have this vote. It is time building democracy right here in the ered the recommendations of the Iraq for the Iraqi elected officials to stand Senate. Study Group, something I supported 7 up. Twelve Members of the 38–Member Democracy is built on fundamental months ago, 210 days ago. Parliament no longer attend Cabinet principles. One of the fundamental Mr. President, 210 days ago, the Iraq meetings; 75 Members of the Iraqi Par- principles is freedom of speech, but not Study Group gave us a framework. liament are boycotting their own Par- in the Senate. We are in a gag rule. We They called it a way forward. They had liament so that they cannot get a face strong-arm tactics to prevent our 79 recommendations. I stood on this quorum to do their job, whether it is vote on a troop deadline. floor and said out of the 79, certainly for oil revenue sharing or power shar- Another fundamental principle of de- there were 60 on which we could agree. ing. mocracy is majority rule, but not in Let’s have a meeting, let’s pick our fa- I think it is time now, I think it is the Senate. It now takes 60 votes to vorite 60, and let’s start moving for- time for us to have a vote. I think it is win a vote. The reason we objected to ward on a military solution, a political time to refocus the mission. I think it the cloture is to end the filibuster. But solution, a diplomatic solution, but a is time to redeploy our troops. I think we want to end the war, and that is solution it would be. it is time to bring our troops home by why our unanimous consent request is It was dismissed. It was dismissed by April 30, 2008. And that is why I think a direct vote on that point. They want the other party, the other side of the it is time to vote on the Levin-Reed to hide behind parliamentary proce- wall, the other side of the aisle—it amendment. dure. We want to go directly to the seems like a wall sometimes—and it So, Mr. President, I therefore, ask point. was dismissed by the President of the unanimous consent that amendment Our Constitution calls for a system United States. No. 2088 be withdrawn and that at 8:30 of checks and balances, but that is not So now all of a sudden they found the p.m. today, the Senate vote on the what the White House wants. They Iraq Study Group. Seven months ago Levin-Reed amendment No. 2087 with want us to write the checks, but to- that Iraq Study Group did call for dip- the time, in all fairness, equally di- night we are trying to provide the bal- lomatic and political efforts. I think vided on both sides in the usual format, ance. That is why we stand here the we make those efforts, and I also think and no second-degree amendments be way we do. that is included in the spirit and sub- in order. Some people say Democrats are stance of Levin-Reed-Hagel-Snowe and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there micromanaging the war. Well, hey, others amendment. objection?

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9346 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 Mr. BUNNING. I object. the President, the Chairman of the We read today in the National Intel- Mr. WARNER. I object. Joint Chiefs, and others can take it ligence Estimate addressing the poten- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- into consideration as they formulate tial of al-Qaida and how so much of tion is heard. the sequential requirement of the that potential is directed, clearly, at Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I am President to come forth and report to the United States. so sorry to hear that objection. But I America, the Congress, and his people The Cornyn amendment also said: have now concluded my remarks for his opinion of the situation in Iraq as The Iraq Study Group report found that this part of the evening and yield the of September 15 of this year. ‘‘(a) chaotic Iraq— floor. It is for that reason that I believe we should we have a precipitous pull- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sen- should hold in place additional legisla- out— ior Senator from Virginia is recog- tion at this time until the President could provide a still stronger base of oper- nized. has had the opportunity, that Congress ations for terrorists who seek to act region- Mr. WARNER. I thank the Presiding has had the opportunity, and, most im- ally or even globally.’’ Officer. Mr. President, I am given an portantly, the American people have Further, the Cornyn amendment re- opportunity now, which I have been had the opportunity to study all of cited: looking forward to, to have a little col- these facts provided by the profes- loquy with my long-time friend, Sen- sionals. A National Intelligence Estimate con- I would like to also add that the cluded that the consequences of a premature ator LEVIN, now chairman of the com- withdrawal from Iraq would be that—(A) Al mittee, and address one or two issues chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Qaeda would attempt to use Anbar province to explain why I feel very strongly that General Pace, has also stated he will to plan further attacks outside of Iraq; (B) I have to oppose this amendment. have a report, his own assessment, of neighboring countries would consider ac- Just 49 days ago, the President the situation over there, and his as- tively intervening in Iraq; and (C) sectarian signed into law an appropriations bill sessment of the Iraq security forces; violence would significantly increase in Iraq, which contained legislative language, that is, both military and police, pre- accompanied by massive civilian casualties which legislative language originated pared for that September timeframe. and displacement. on the floor of the Senate. I was privi- So that is the focal point. Now, I read that because my valued leged to be a part of the drafting of I say with deep respect to my col- friend, Senator LEVIN, appeared last that language, and it eventually has league, Senator LEVIN, chairman of the night on a national program, the Jim become now the law of the land. I committee, which I am proud to have Lehrer show, and he was asked repeat- would like to review some of the points served on now 29 years with Senator edly in that interview about how he we put in that language which is the LEVIN, side by side, that it seems to me would envision an Iraq having to expe- law. we have passed a law where we put in rience a withdrawal timetable, which is It, first, requires the President to the process by which America would fixed in his amendment. How would come forward on July 15, which he did. proceed to the 15th of September, at Iraq be, once that timetable went into He submitted an assessment of the which time the President will report to effect and those troops would with- benchmarks. It further directed that the Nation about such changes as he draw? I read through very carefully the General Petraeus be here in September deems—the President, as Commander transcript, which I have here, and I with Ambassador Crocker. It further in Chief, exercising his clear authority cannot find in there the specific ref- called upon the new organization which under the Constitution, to change or erences, much like what was in the was created in this most recent appro- revise the strategy and how our forces Cornyn amendment. It seems to me priations bill, again originating, this will be implemented in the future. there might be some disconnect be- Later this evening, perhaps when I part of the legislation, on the floor of tween what you said publicly last night have further time, I will address the the Senate. We put together a require- and the document to which you at- Warner-Lugar amendment, which goes ment that there be an independent tached your vote in support today. into some detail about our rec- study group of the Iraq security forces. So I would like to entertain a col- ommendations to the President—I re- We have periodically through the loquy and have my good friend explain peat: recommendations. Not directing years received reports from the Depart- how he envisions what the con- him as a matter of law—on that report ment of Defense describing how many sequences to Iraq would be should his on 15 September; to include certain battalions of the Iraqi forces are amendment be law eventually. We items in it. But the point I wish to trained, how many are equipped, how would first have to pass it here and make is I feel that if the Senate were many are ready to take the point by then it would have to go to a con- to adopt, by way of a vote—which now themselves, how many are dependent ference with the House and then sur- requires 60 votes—the Levin amend- on U.S. forces. That is quite an accu- vive and become a part of the con- ment, it would be in contravention to ference report. mulation of data. I felt very strongly, the very spirit, letter, and purpose of Mr. LEVIN. If I can respond to my and other colleagues did, that we want- the law that this body adopted 49 days good friend’s question. ed to have a report independent of the ago. That would bring about confusion The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Department of Defense, and that report in the minds of the troops, confusion in objection, the Senator from Michigan performed by individuals who had the minds of the world. many years of experience assessing the How can America take such a zigzag is recognized. capabilities of men and women in uni- course in legislation at such a critical Mr. LEVIN. We know what we hope form. time in our history, while trying to will happen, and there are some things How fortunate we were that the provide the Iraqi people with a stable we can predict that will happen. former Commandant of the Marine situation so they can have some meas- What do we know? We know that Iraq Corps, General Jones, offered to head urable quality of life and freedom and is in chaos. We know that the Iraqi that group. He formed a group of fellow move ahead and hopefully have a na- President, or Prime Minister more ac- officers, most of them three and four tion that will join other nations in the curately, has said the only way to end stars now retired, who likewise have world in our struggle against ter- the bloodletting of innocents in Iraq is had years of experience and training in rorism? That is my main concern. if the Iraqi leaders reach a political evaluating our Armed Forces. And they I also point out that my good friend, settlement. We know that. We know added two police chiefs. They just fin- Senator LEVIN, voted for the Cornyn there is no military solution in Iraq. ished this past weekend. They returned amendment, which we adopted this We know there is only a political solu- on Saturday from a 1-week trip to Iraq morning, and among the findings are, tion and that the violence cannot end to study the forces. as follows: The Cornyn amendment, unless Iraqi leaders reach a political Part of the law requires that they which Senator LEVIN and I, and 90- settlement. come forward with a report. And I am some other Senators supported, stated: I think those are consensus points. pleased to say, having consulted with A failed state in Iraq would become a safe Those are things we know. We know General Jones, that report will be haven for Islamic radicals, including al how many of our troops have been available early in September, such that Qaeda. killed and how many are killed every

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9347 month and how many are wounded and be, for heaven sakes, after all these and I have worked on for these 29 come home. We know those things. casualties, that we are going to be pa- years. Then the question is: Since there is tient with them when it is in their How many times have we been on the no military solution, there is only a hands as to whether this civil strife is floor supporting the annual authoriza- political solution—that is the only going to end. tion bill? We have gotten a bill each of hope of succeeding in Iraq—how do you Mr. WARNER. I would say to my col- those 29 years that we have been on promote a political settlement in Iraq? league, the President, when he enun- that committee. This will be the first Is the current course we are on suc- ciated his new policy on January 10, time a President was compelled to veto ceeding or do we need to change the the purpose was to lay a foundation of it because he is repeating his actions course? security such that the Iraqi Govern- he took earlier, 2 months ago. We all have the same goal. We all ment could perform in a manner given Mr. LEVIN. I think the Senator is want to maximize the chances of suc- that the security is very serious in well aware this President is not com- cess in Iraq. If you believe we are suc- Iraq. pelled to veto anything. As a matter of ceeding in Iraq now, then you vote to Even though I had misgivings about fact, the report the Senator refers to, stay the course. If you believe after all the surge, I put those aside once the which is due in September, will be these years and all these deaths and all President had made a decision to go coming in before this bill gets to the these wounded and all these expendi- forward. I wish to support the troops, President. At least there is some hope tures, now over $10 billion a month, and they are carrying out this mission. the President will see what the Repub- that we need to change course because I think there is a strong chance there lican leader in the Senate saw a month we are not succeeding in Iraq, you have will be some measure of achievement ago. It was the Senator from Kentucky to ask yourself: How do we change of the surge militarily. who a couple of months ago said: The course? How do we change what is I agree with my colleague, the per- handwriting is on the wall. There is going on in Iraq? formance of the Iraqi Government to going to be a change of course in Sep- So those are the things that we, each date has been extraordinarily dis- tember. of us, I think in our own conscience, appointing. I have stated that on this Now, why wait? We are losing men are trying to figure what is the best floor a number of times, as have other and women, our best and our brightest, way to maximize the chances of suc- colleagues. But the point I wish to urge our bravest, every day in Iraq. Those cess in Iraq. I believe the only hope in is that if we were to take—tomorrow, who return wounded will have a life- getting the Iraqi leaders to reach the for example—and begin to change the time of recovery in many cases. We political settlement, which everybody intentions of the Senate, which were have record numbers of problems that agrees is the only hope, is to force expressed in law 49 days ago, and sud- have come up—post-traumatic stress them to accept responsibility for their denly announce a withdrawal program, disorder, we have traumatic brain inju- own nation, to work out the political as the distinguished Senator from ries which are plaguing our troops who differences on revenue-sharing, on elec- Michigan has in his amendment, it survive. Thank God we have great med- tions, on debaathification amend- would be perceived as an undercut to ical care on the battlefield. Why wait ments, and on constitutional changes. the very military operation we are try- until September? The Republican lead- They have been dithering for years. ing to bring about now. er said the handwriting is on the wall. They made a promise to their people, Why can’t we wait until September, There is going to be a change of course to the American people, and to the until the President has had the benefit in September. There should be a world last year. It is on their Web site, of all the convergence of this informa- change of course, not just in Sep- 16 of their benchmarks—not ours, their tion, and then, as a body, review his re- tember, it should have changed a long benchmarks. They have not carried out marks and statements and possibly time ago. But there is no way to the commitments they have made. change the strategy subsequent to the change this course unless the leaders of There was a timetable attached to 15th of September? Because I do believe Iraq do what only they can do, what those benchmarks. I put that timetable that your amendment is in conflict their own Prime Minister said had to in the RECORD. It was part of a letter with what we did 49 days ago. happen before the bloodletting of inno- that Secretary Rice sent to me. Mr. LEVIN. If the Senator will yield cents ends in Iraq. They and they alone So we have a situation— for an answer. have it in their hands to work out the Mr. WARNER. Well, Mr. President, Mr. WARNER. Yes. political settlement, which, according the amendment which I worked on and Mr. LEVIN. I think the Senate spoke to their own agreement, was supposed which went into the appropriations also prior to adopting your amend- to have been reached months ago. bill, those are the same benchmarks in ment. We voted 51 to 48, adopted an Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, the that bill. amendment which said we will begin to Senator is correct, that Government Mr. LEVIN. They are different. reduce our forces and to transition to has not performed. But we, 49 days ago, Mr. WARNER. Well, they track, in the new mission, and that we would structured a careful sequence of events large measure, the same. begin that transition within 120 days. between now and September to make Mr. LEVIN. Some are the same, some That was vetoed by the President. certain the information, the facts, the are different, but they are political Mr. WARNER. That is correct. opinions, the conclusions which would benchmarks which the Iraqi leaders Mr. LEVIN. The Senate spoke even guide the President in that revision of said they would meet. They made those before it adopted the amendment of the strategy the distinguished Senator benchmarks. We didn’t impose them, Senator from Virginia. So we have spo- MCCONNELL made observation about those are their benchmarks. The letter ken in many ways over the years. But some time ago, that information is from Secretary Rice makes it explicit now it is our belief, those of us who converging at that very point in time. that the Presidency Council, which support this amendment, that the ear- I say to the Senator, we are so close. represents all the factions in Iraq, for- lier we put pressure on the Iraqi lead- I would not want to see the Congress mally adopted those benchmarks. They ers to reach a political solution, which disrupt what it has already enacted were supposed to have been adopted in everybody agrees is the only hope, the and put it into law as to what is to October, November, December, Janu- earlier we put that pressure on them, take place in September. It is for that ary, and in February. They have not the better. reason I simply cannot support my dis- been met. Mr. WARNER. Well, Mr. President, tinguished colleague from Michigan. How are we going to get them to the distinguished ranking member, Mr. Mr. LEVIN. I thank my friend, and I meet them, to keep an open-ended MCCAIN, in his remarks of this morn- don’t view this at all as personal. commitment, which is what the Presi- ing, made it very clear that the Presi- A matter of fact, we had this interim dent wants us to do. Another delay and dent made it very clear, if we proceed report on July 15. What did it come in then patience. The President asks us to with the course of adopting your and say? It came in and said, on the po- be patient? We should be downright im- amendment, then there will be another litical side, nothing has happened in patient with the Iraqi leaders. The veto, and then we are back into that Iraq; and on the political side, we see message to the Iraqi leaders shouldn’t sequence and a veto on a bill which you no advances. But the political side is

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Many of us, sadly, and nology has changed everything about tunity, they haven’t done it, and the with some degree of frustration, be- our world. It has created terrorism. surge has not accomplished anything lieve the President will not change Terrorism is a real force. I disagree in the area of a political settlement. course. Many of us believe the facts on with those who say we can ignore the Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I will the ground are not apparent to him or, fact that terrorism is real. Technology conclude my time and yield the floor if they are, do not enter into his deci- has empowered small groups of bad because other colleagues sequentially sion. The view that military strength, people and given them the ability to are participating. Perhaps we will be and military strength alone, can pre- strike at us in our heartland. That is able to reopen this colloquy at another vail in Iraq is wrong. The facts do not brand new. There have always been time during the debate. But I certainly measure up. The Shia, the Sunni, the small groups of bad people. There have share with you the enormity of loss of Kurds have had age-old enmity. If I had even been large groups of bad people. life, the loss of limb, of the hardships to sum up the problem with the Presi- But they didn’t have the ability to hurt of the military families. Even those dent’s policy in a sentence, I would say us. families who fortunately have not suf- this: The Shias, the Sunnis, the Kurds The Japanese war machine in 1941, fered loss of life or limb nevertheless dislike each other far more than they while America slept, could only get as have repeated tours of duty and separa- might like any central government of far as Pearl Harbor, and that was a tions from their loved ones brought on Iraq. long reach. Yet the several thousand in by this war. In a certain sense, what we are trying al-Qaida, far less wealthy and far less But I am concerned we might lose all to do here is to take two ‘‘norths’’ on strong, were able to strike at the World of that which has been given if we a magnet and try to push them to- Trade Center in my city. So terrorism make the wrong decision now and pre- gether. The minute we release our is real. Terrorism is something that we cipitously fix a date for pullout. All hands they will push apart. Those are have to fight against. that sacrifice might be lost. I am cer- the facts on the ground that cannot be The problem in the equation that the tain my colleague shares with me that avoided. President speaks about and believes in, one of the goals we should have in this We can add another 20,000 troops or that so many on the other side of the situation is to make certain those another 40,000 troops and might get aisle speak about and believe in, is that losses were not in vain. some degree of pacification for a period what we are doing in Iraq, it is almost Mr. LEVIN. If the Senator will yield, of time. As soon as we leave, whether it impossible to prove has much to do I think we all share that view, but the is in 3 months or 3 years, the Sunnis, with terror. amendment, if it is anything, it is not the Shiites, the Kurds, and the various They say al-Qaida might set up precipitous. This is coming after a factions will be fighting with one an- camps in Iraq and use those camps as great deal of debate. We have had a other once again. they use the camps in Pakistan and Af- vote on this. The Senate voted to do There is indeed—and I will elabo- ghanistan to try and hurt us. That may something very similar to this, and it rate—there is indeed a need to protect be true. But what does having our sol- was vetoed. ourselves from terrorism that might diers patrol the streets of Baghdad, or We have a 120-day period to begin to generate from the chaos in Iraq. That Diyala, or Ramadi or any of the other reduce forces. That is not precipitous. does not require 160,000 troops patrol- cities to prevent various tribes and That gives the Iraqis notice, now 4 ling the streets of Baghdad. Most of ethnic groups from fighting one an- months more notice after enactment, what our soldiers do—bravely, gal- other, have to do with that? What does which can’t come for many months, lantly, with great dedication to their trying—futilely, in my opinion—to but- that they have to begin to get their po- country, but unfortunately—most of tress the Maliki government have to do litical act together. what our soldiers do has absolutely with that, when the Maliki government Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, my nothing to do with fighting terrorism. is incapable of doing elementary time is nearly up. It may not be en- Yet we continue to send them back and things, let alone containing al-Qaida? acted for 4 or 5 months, but the signal then back again and then back again. This war in Iraq has just veered out will go out of this Chamber, if we adopt I hope my colleagues on the other of control, and a great leader would say your amendment, that the Senate, in side of the aisle, particularly those who that and change course. Without cast- less than 40 days, has changed the law have stated that the present policy is ing aspersions on what brought us that it passed a short time ago, and it misguided, and even those who prob- there—although we can debate that all looks like a zigzag course that this Na- ably think it is misguided but don’t day long; whatever happened in the tion is taking in one of the most seri- want to say it out of loyalty to the past happened. But the facts on the ous situations in my lifetime—this sit- leader of their party, will take a bold ground are real. To just about anyone uation in the Middle East. It is essen- step and join us in supporting the who looks at this with an unbiased eye, tial to our security that area of the Levin-Reed amendment. All of the what we are doing in Iraq has very lit- world not implode. other amendments are flawed, in my tle to do with protecting us and, in I yield the floor to the other Sen- judgment, because they are advisory. fact, a good argument can be made it ators who are scheduled to speak. This President will not take advice un- makes things worse every day we stay. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The sen- less forced to change course. If it Certainly the argument can be made it ior Senator from New York is recog- doesn’t happen now, it will happen in delays the inevitable, which will hap- nized. September or October. It will happen. pen, which is that the Iraqis are going Mr. SCHUMER. Well, I thank the We all know that at some point there to have to work out for themselves how Chair, and this is a historic night. The will be a group of Republican Senators they are going to live or not live to- Senate will stay in session all night to who will quietly go to the White House gether, given the age-old enmities. debate the war in Iraq, something we and say: Mr. President, unless you Yet this President persists. It is not should be doing. Frankly, Mr. Presi- change direction in Iraq we will change good for the Iraqi people. It is not good dent, we should have done it a while it for you. for the American people. It is not good ago. If that is going to happen in 2 or 3 for the country that he does. Our job is The bottom line is we need debate months—and the whispers on the other to require the President to change be- and to focus attention on Iraq. We need side of the aisle indicate that is what cause he will not do it on his own. to change the course in Iraq. We need will happen—why wait? Why sacrifice That is why, while I have great re- to bring an end to having American more life and see so many more sol- spect for my colleague from Colorado soldiers police, patrol, be wounded, diers coming home wounded? Why sac- and for my colleague from Virginia and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9349 my colleague from Indiana, I don’t there is very little loyalty to a central Senate majority leader. It is an insult think their resolutions are what is government, it is very hard to build an to the brave men and women in our needed because the President will not army in a divided nation. Armed Forces and to the American change. He knows what our opinion is. Many of the other amendments that taxpayer that we are here tonight for He knows what the American people’s are before us, in my judgment, are no other reason than for a publicity view of this war is. He doesn’t need a wishful thinking. They believe they stunt. Instead of following the script resolution to suggest to him to change will get the President to see the light. written by MoveOn, like my colleagues course. No. He needs to be required to I wish that were the case. The Presi- on the other side of the aisle, I want to do it. He needs to be forced to do it. dent seems adamant. I don’t think he be honest and frank with the American That is the stark choice we face to- will change unless he is forced to people. night. That is where we are tonight. If change. I don’t think he will change I hear Democrats every day talk you believe that we must change unless this body meets its responsibil- about public opinion polls on Iraq and course in Iraq, the only resolution that ities and stands up and requires a on the President’s approval rating. To does that is Levin-Reed. change. some extent they are right. The Amer- One other thing: This country needs The President in February said we ican people are not satisfied with the to do so much. The very technology I should wait until the summer. In April war in Iraq and the President is at an talked about, which effects terrorism he said September. Now we are hearing all-time low in his approval rating. and creates terrorism, creates other from some of the commanders: Oh, no, But I rarely hear my friends on the challenges for America. Our schools— we will have to wait until January. other side of the aisle talk about public when the OEDC ranks the 21 developed It is just not working. We pacify one opinion polls of Congress. It is obvious countries in terms of their K–12 edu- area and violence erupts in another. If why. President Bush has a higher ap- cation—now come out 12th, the bottom we go to that area, then the area that proval rating than the current demo- half. In math we come out 15th. We are was pacified creates the violence. Tem- cratically led Congress. I have never doing virtually nothing to improve our porarily dealing with that violence been accused of being a political strat- schools, which to me is the ultimate doesn’t solve the fundamental facts on egist, but I have been around this town answer to preserve the American econ- the ground. Therefore, we need change. long enough—over 21 years—to know omy and American jobs. I do not believe this is an issue of that the American people resent their Our health care system is broken. hawks or doves. I think whichever you leaders for so often taking the politi- There are 45 million people uncovered are, the simple facts on the ground dic- cally expedient path instead of doing and many more who are not covered tate that we should change, and only what they think is right. very well. We have a system that Levin-Reed has us do that. The American people see right doesn’t do the basic preventive things I salute my colleagues, the Senator through this charade going on tonight. that would save lives and save dollars. from Michigan and the Senator from It is more political theater: phony im- On energy we send $1 billion a day Rhode Island, for putting together this ages of cots, toothpaste, and sleepy overseas to many people we don’t like, resolution. I urge my colleagues on the politicians, meant to convince people and we can’t get hold of it and change other side of the aisle in particular to that what goes on here at 3 in the it. Our foreign policy itself needs a new join with us. You will be joining with morning may actually do some good. direction where we are able to take on us later if you don’t join with us today. But it doesn’t do any good. terrorists who might hurt us in a way That is the simple fact of the matter. I In fact, it does a lot of bad. Because that develops world consensus. The hope the Levin-Reed amendment is this debate is more about a political rest of the world is learning what ter- given its due. I hope it will pass for the show and placating the ‘‘MoveOn’’ rorism is like and why it is evil. We sake of Iraq, the sake of our soldiers, folks, than it is about talking about need to change our military to be able the sake of America. the real issue at hand. It is appalling to do that. We need to change our for- With that, Mr. President, I ask unan- that we use a bill that provides vital eign policy arrangements to do it. imous consent that Senator BUNNING funding of our Nation’s military as a All of these things and so many be allowed to speak until 8:35 and that political smokescreen for Democrats to more—our infrastructure and our cul- the majority leader be recognized im- gain points in the polls. ture are lost because everything in this mediately thereafter. The safety and security of the brave administration is focused on the mis- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there men and women in our Armed Forces is guided policy in Iraq. objection? not a game to me. Our troops should The damage and danger of what is Mr. MCCAIN. Reserving the right to never be used as a basis to stage a done hurts Iraq and it hurts America’s object. cheap political stunt. If the Senate reputation in the world. It also hurts The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- truly supported our troops, we would us at home because we are spending ator from Arizona. be here debating the nuts and bolts of time and energy and resources on Mr. MCCAIN. I ask my colleague, the Department of Defense authoriza- something that just cannot work the does that mean we will be voting after tion bill. Instead, we find ourselves way it is. What the Levin-Reed resolu- the recognition of the majority leader? back debating whether to cut and run tion recommends is that we withdraw Mr. SCHUMER. Probably, yes. from Iraq, as we have done countless the vast majority of our troops. We The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there times before tonight. don’t abandon Iraq altogether because objection? Democrats would like for you to be- we know al-Qaida might set up camps, Mr. LEVIN. Reserving the right to lieve that Republicans will not vote on and we know there is a need for some object, could we add that the next the Reed-Levin amendment. Give me a troops—mainly out of harm’s way—to Democratic speaker will be Senator break. I am happy to vote on the protect us from al-Qaida camps that FEINSTEIN? amendment right now. I plan to oppose might help train those who might The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without it, as I have opposed a similar version strike at us. But the Levin-Reed reso- objection, it is so ordered. Senator LEVIN offered 2 months ago. lution would not entail 160,000 troops in Mr. ALEXANDER. Reserving the It is a bad amendment. It calls for a harm’s way, because they are not need- right to object, could we have the next premature withdrawal of American ed. There might be 10,000 or 20,000 or Republican speaker be Senator ALEX- troops from Iraq before we have even 30,000 troops, mostly out of harm’s ANDER? had a chance to see the results of the way, that could protect us from ter- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without surge. I wish to know how some of my rorism. objection, it is so ordered. colleagues know that the surge has al- The view that we can train the Iraqis Who seeks recognition? Under the ready failed when it has only been in to take over—many of us have lost previous order, the Senator from Ken- place for a month? faith in that. We have heard promise tucky is recognized. I wish to know how they know the after promise that we should let the Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise situation in Iraq better than our com- Iraqis take over. They don’t really tonight to play my small part in this manders on the ground? The ink is not want to fight this war because when pointless political play put on by the even dry on the President’s plan and

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These are the same [Quorum No. 4 Leg.] about it, our enemies are watching us. people who voted to overwhelmingly Alexander Durbin Mikulski They are watching us and using our de- confirm General Petraeus and are now Bennett Feingold Murray bate on the war in Iraq to strengthen refusing to wait to hear his report in Brown Feinstein Reid themselves. This morning, the new Na- September. This is exactly the type of Bunning Kerry Sanders Cardin Kyl tional Intelligence Estimate declared message our enemy wants to hear. Sessions Casey Landrieu Stabenow the United States is at an elevated Well, I, for one, am working hard to Chambliss Levin Tester threat level. It said our biggest threat send our enemies a different message: Cornyn McCain Warner is al-Qaida, specifically al-Qaida in The United States will not back down Crapo McConnell Iraq. from this fight. I stand behind our The PRESIDING OFFICER. A This group is working to mobilize troops and General Petraeus. I prom- quorum is not present. other extremist organizations in the ised in person, in my office, to General Mr. REID. Mr. President, I move that region to mount a new attack against Petraeus, that I would wait to hear his the Sergeant at Arms be directed to re- the United States. The report also report this fall. I intend to keep my quest the attendance of absent Sen- found that al-Qaida will continue to ac- promise. I urge my colleagues to do the ators. quire chemical, biological or nuclear same. The safety and security of all The PRESIDING OFFICER. The materials for attacks; it will not hesi- Americans depends on it. question is on agreeing to the motion tate to use them. I yield the floor. of the Senator from Nevada. While al-Qaida is working to plan The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask for this attack, U.S. forces are working jority leader. the yeas and nays. hand in hand with Iraqi security forces Mr. REID. Mr. President, the surge The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a to break up this organization and root has now been going for 6 months. More sufficient second? it out and root this terrorist network than 600 Americans have been killed, There is a sufficient second. out. thousands have been wounded, costing The yeas and nays were ordered. This work is vital to our national se- our country $60 billion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The curity. We cannot forget the important The National Intelligence Estimate question is on agreeing to the motion lessons we learned from the tragedies which was issued today—was leaked by of the Senator from Nevada, Mr. REID, of 9/11. There are still those out there someone last week—is very clear: to direct the Sergeant at Arms to re- who wish to do us harm. Wake up There are two al-Qaidas now; there quest the attendance of absent Sen- America. If we withdrew from Iraq, the used to be one. There is al-Qaida in ators. On this question, the yeas and terrorists will likely follow us home. Iraq, totally separate and apart from nays have been ordered, and the clerk Democrats would like for us to be- the other al-Qaida that bin Laden led. will call the roll. lieve we can responsibly leave Iraq and Where did it come from? It came The assistant legislative clerk called the conflict will end. This is delu- from the worst foreign policy blunder the roll. sional. Make no mistake, if we leave in the history of our country, the inva- Mr. DURBIN. I announce that the Iraq prematurely, there will be wide- sion of Iraq. Senator from Delaware (Mr. BIDEN), spread chaos in the Middle East. Iran My friend, the junior Senator from the Senator from West Virginia (Mr. will work with Syria to dominate the Kentucky, should understand, as a re- BYRD), the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. region, while Sunni States scramble to sult of that invasion we now have a INOUYE), the Senator from South Da- oppose them. They will use any means civil war raging in the Palestinian kota (Mr. JOHNSON), the Senator from possible to acquire the resources to areas of Lebanon, the country of Israel Illinois (Mr. OBAMA), and the Senator bolster their nuclear weapons program has been basically ignored during this from West Virginia (Mr. ROCKEFELLER) in an effort to combat and conquer the administration, and we have Iran are necessarily absent. United States. thumbing their nose at us. Mr. MCCONNELL. The following Sen- The Kurds in Iran will form their For the information of my friend ators are necessarily absent: the Sen- own country, possibly with the Kurds from Kentucky, there would not be a ator from Mississippi (Mr. COCHRAN), in Turkey, Syria, and Iran. This could civil war in Iraq, there already is one. the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. lead to an armed conflict between the It is an intractable civil war. We Amer- INHOFE), and the Senator from Mis- Kurds and the Turkish Government. icans are there in spite of the fact that sissippi (Mr. LOTT). There will be widespread attacks to the Iraqis, by an almost 70 percent The PRESIDING OFFICER. Are there wipe out Israel and to topple the demo- margin, 69 percent to be exact, say we any other Senators in the Chamber de- cratic Government of Lebanon. These are doing more harm than good; they siring to vote? pillars of democracy in the Middle East want us out of there. The result was announced—yeas 44, that once stood as an example for free- The Prime Minister of Iraq said 3 nays 47, as follows: dom within the region will crumble. days ago that he could do fine without [Rollcall Vote No. 249 Leg.] The Government of Iraq will fail, and us. Anytime we want to leave, his secu- YEAS—44 there will be civil war within the coun- rity would take over. Akaka Feingold Murray try. This will result in massive civilian Now, wake up America? America is Baucus Feinstein Nelson (FL) casualties and displacement. Most im- awake. They understand very clearly Bayh Harkin Nelson (NE) portantly, our national security will be we have a situation where we have a Bingaman Kennedy Pryor in jeopardy. This afternoon, we passed, President that will be in office only an- Boxer Kerry Reed Brown Klobuchar Reid by a large majority, Senator CORNYN’s other 17 months, and they want the Cantwell Kohl Salazar amendment that said we should not war to end before he leaves office. They Cardin Landrieu Sanders Carper Lautenberg leave a failed state in Iraq. It also said want to change the course in Iraq Schumer Casey Leahy Stabenow we should not pass any legislation that which has caused the deaths of almost Clinton Levin Tester will undermine our military’s ability 3,700 Americans, the wounding of tens Conrad Lincoln Dodd McCaskill Webb to prevent a failed state in Iraq. of thousands of Americans, cost us over Whitehouse I ask my colleagues: What are we half a trillion dollars. Dorgan Menendez Durbin Mikulski Wyden doing right now? We are debating Sen- That is what Americans want. They ator LEVIN’s amendment that will, are awake. NAYS—47 without a doubt, result in a failed state Mr. President, I suggest the absence Alexander Barrasso Bond in Iraq. Let me be clear to my col- of a quorum. Allard Bennett Brownback

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9351 Bunning Enzi Murkowski ‘‘leverage the contacts and capabilities colleagues have refrained from calling Burr Graham Roberts of al-Qaida in Iraq, its most visible and for a change in strategy until they Chambliss Grassley Sessions Coburn Gregg Shelby capable affiliate and the only one hear what General Petraeus and Am- Coleman Hagel Smith known to have expressed a desire to at- bassador Crocker have to say in Sep- Collins Hatch Snowe tack us here in the United States.’’ tember. Actually, there is really no Corker Hutchison Specter Yesterday, the U.N. Secretary Gen- good argument that Ambassador Cornyn Isakson Stevens Craig Kyl Sununu eral, Ban Kimoon, warned that an ab- Crocker and General Petraeus deserve Crapo Lieberman Thune rupt withdrawal may, ‘‘lead to a fur- an opportunity to be heard when these DeMint Lugar Vitter Dole Martinez ther deterioration of the situation in significant reports come out in Sep- Domenici McCain Voinovich Iraq.’’ tember. Ensign McConnell Warner Now, what do the terrorists them- So I would ask our colleagues on the NOT VOTING—9 selves say? What do they say, the ter- other side to think of the tangle we are Biden Inhofe Lott rorists themselves? in. Republicans have asked repeatedly Byrd Inouye Obama The Islamic State of Iraq announced to move up the cloture vote on the Cochran Johnson Rockefeller during our last debate in April that Levin troop withdrawal amendment. The motion was rejected. certain members of Congress had de- They have blocked us every time be- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Re- clared the War in Iraq hopeless. cause they prefer the theater of the all- publican leader is recognized. Those are the words of the terrorists nighter. We were elected to legislate, Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, our themselves. And here is Osama bin not to strut across a stage. This isn’t Democratic friends thought they were Laden himself, quoted from an Al Hollywood. This is real life here in the going to teach Republicans a lesson Jazeera broadcast last April. This is Senate. Much depends on how we con- today on how to proceed in Iraq. In- what Osama bin Laden said: duct ourselves right here and how we stead, Americans got an object lesson The epicenter of these wars is Baghdad, the conduct ourselves in this debate. on why Democrats have failed to ac- seat of the caliphate rule. They keep reit- We have heard the warnings from complish any of their goals over the erating success in Baghdad will be success people who know the dangers that lurk last 7 months. for the U.S., failure in Iraq the failure of the in Iraq, and now I have a warning of As to this fanciful notion that we U.S. Their defeat in Iraq will mean defeat in my own to my colleagues on the other all of their wars and the beginning to the re- have never had 60-vote thresholds on side. Our commanders, our troops, and ceding of their Zionist-Crusader tide against the millions of brave men and women votes, Democrats agreed just this year us. to 60-vote thresholds on at least five who have stood with us in Iraq and who That is from the lips of Osama bin Iraq-related votes: the Reid sense of live in danger of the creeping prospect Laden. the Congress on Iraq, the Murray sense of precipitous withdrawal, deserve a lot Now, our Democratic friends have of the Congress on Iraq, the Gregg better than they are getting in this de- tried to have it both ways on Iraq for sense of the Congress on Iraq, the bate. They deserve our resolve and, at too long. They voted to send General Hagel amendment to H.R. 1585 relating the very least, they deserve us to keep Petraeus to Iraq by a unanimous vote, to deployment time, and the Graham the pledge we made as recently as last even as many of them undercut his amendment to H.R. 1585 relating to de- May. mission and the morale of our troops ployment time—at least five Iraq votes It is time to put an end to this cha- by declaring it a failure. They voted to that have been subject to 60 votes. rade. The stakes are entirely too high. fund that mission even after working Now, Republicans have repeatedly of- Mr. President, I yield the floor for more than 3 months to undercut it fered Democrats an opportunity to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- through legislation that would render have a vote on the Levin amendment ator from California is recognized. it impossible to carry out. And now according to the traditional 60-vote Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I they have taken the unprecedented threshold. Democrats themselves have sat here for the last hour or so and lis- step of hijacking a Defense authoriza- insisted on 60-vote thresholds for tened to the discussion, and what one tion bill to undercut the framework judges, for example. We could have had concludes is that, once again, we are they agreed to when they funded the the vote this morning and moved on to locked in a debate about the future of mission back in May. other business, like finishing this very Iraq. I think many people watching So let’s take a look, my friends and important underlying bill and getting this debate listen and think: Does this colleagues, at what we agreed to back the men and women in the military solve anything? in May. The conference report that 80 what they need and deserve. But in many ways, thanks to the What is at stake, Mr. President? Senators voted for in May required a courage of a few Senators on the other Iraq’s Foreign Minister, Hoshyar benchmarks report in July and a report side of the aisle, the debate has under- Zebari, recently told reporters: from General Petraeus and Ambassador gone a major shift in the past few Crocker in September. weeks. We are no longer simply asking The dangers could be a civil war, dividing We chose July for the benchmarks re- the country, regional wars, and the collapse whether we should change course, it is of the state. port because the Baghdad Security clear today that a majority in this Plan would be fully manned, and we The same sentiment has been echoed body believe we must change course. wanted the Iraqi Government to know recently by political figures from the Today, a majority of the Senate sees we expected their cooperation and sac- Sunni Arab community, which had that the surge is not working, and a rifice in exchange for ours. We chose been the least supportive of the U.S. majority believes there has been no September because that is when Gen- presence after the collapse of Saddam’s progress on political reconciliation. eral Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker The question I hear repeated is: Do Sunni-dominated government. planned to give the President an up- Foreign Minister Zebari has also we change course now or do we wait date on the counterinsurgency plan credited multinational forces for keep- until September? I have heard distin- currently underway. We thought it rea- ing Turkey from occupying northern guished Members of this body say: Why sonable that we get the same assess- Iraq. This is what he recently had to not wait until September? I believe the ment to form an appropriate legisla- say: answer is clear. When you know things tive response. are moving in the wrong direction, why Tomorrow, another country will set its The Congress decided in May that 1 wait to act? And a growing majority in sights on Iraq—Iran, Syria, and others have certain interests, ambitions, and inter- month of a fully manned surge was in- the Senate agrees. ferences. Ironically, it is this presence that sufficient to call the Petraeus plan a While there are over 50-plus votes to is preserving Iraq’s unity; this deterrent is failure. We wrote that decision into support this view, there doesn’t appear preventing the outbreak of an all-out sec- law. Since May, we have learned that to be the 60 votes needed to bring the tarian civil war, and perhaps regional wars progress is mixed. Many of the military debate to a close, and there still are as well. tasks assigned have been achieved, and not the 67 votes needed to overcome a Now, the National Intelligence Esti- we have not seen sufficient progress on Presidential veto. So those of us who mate released today said al-Qaida will the political benchmarks. Some of our believe we need to change course, and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9352 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 need to change course now, have no op- this critical period. That is 30 out of should know in a matter of months if tion other than to press for a vote until the 55 days. the surge was working. Here it is July. we prevail. But of greatest concern is the fact It is very clear the surge is not work- The good news is that this debate that there has been little, if any, ing. Every day there are more bomb- may slowly be moving away from the progress in the political arena. Even by ings. If you measure things in real partisan bickering and toward a bipar- the administration’s account, the Iraqi terms, that kill people—there are more tisan way out of Iraq. A growing num- Government hasn’t made progress in bombings, more killings, more IEDs, ber of well-respected Republicans have meeting the benchmarks. You have more violence. Casualties have jumped made it clear that they believe the heard this, and there are two more re- since the surge began. As I said, we are President’s current strategy is not sus- ports due on benchmarks, so we will now losing 100 of our people every tainable. This includes Senators WAR- hear more of the same. month. The 331 troops killed during NER and LUGAR, two of the most distin- If you talk about benchmarks, to me April, May, and June is the highest 3- guished Senators in this body, who the most critical has always been month total since the war began 41⁄2 have introduced an amendment calling debaathification—a terrible mistake years ago. on the President to develop a plan to made by us and now supported to con- How is this a sign of progress? Tell transition the mission, and poten- tinue by Ahmed Chalabi to prevent me how is it a sign of progress, when tially—potentially—draw down our former Baathists from working. You more people are killed, more displaced, troops. can never have a united Iraq as long as Iraqis turn up in the morgue by the This includes Senators HAGEL, SMITH, you have debaathification on a level dozens every day? Because if this trend and SNOWE, who have cosponsored the that even today still exists. The ab- continues, 2007 will be the deadliest for Levin-Reed amendment calling for a sence of holding provincial elections, our troops since this war began. Why binding timetable to redeploy our passing an oil revenue sharing law, en- wait to act? troops. suring that authorities are not under- Waiting is not going to change the This includes Senator VOINOVICH, mining members of the Iraqi security political situation either. Will we see who, according to reports, has in- forces, ensuring that the Iraqi security the Iraqi Government pass an oil rev- formed the White House that the only forces provide evenhanded enforcement enue-sharing law by September? Does way to salvage the President’s legacy of the law—simple things not done. anyone believe that? I don’t think so. is to begin moving out of Iraq. There is a misbegotten belief that we Will we see reform of the And this includes Senators DOMENICI, can turn Iraq into a democracy—a debaathification system by September? I don’t think so. COLLINS, ALEXANDER, BENNETT, GREGG, country with little infrastructure for Will we see provincial elections or an and SUNUNU, who have embraced legis- democracy, a government where min- Iraqi security force that is free from lation to implement the Iraq Study isters don’t show up, where parliamen- sectarian influence? I don’t think so. Group’s recommendations. tarians don’t arrive, where long vaca- As a matter of fact, the answer to all These Senators are to be commended tions are taken in the middle of war these questions is no. We haven’t seen for their courage, and I believe the and strife. At the same time, the Pen- movement on the political front in the ranks will only continue to grow as tagon reported last week that there past 7 months, so why do we believe it time goes by. Why? Because despite re- has been a slight reduction in the num- will happen in the next 2 months? This peated predictions that security and ber of Iraqi security force units capable is especially true, given that the Iraqi stability in Iraq are just around the of independent operations. So there is Parliament is taking a month off in corner, this has proved illusory. The even deterioration on that front. August. security situation has not improved. Yet we are told to wait. Something The surge was not supposed to be this There has been no progress toward po- good might happen. So what should we silver bullet. It was supposed to give litical reconciliation. None. do? Rather than wait another 8 weeks, the Iraqi Government the space, the Simply put: Violence in Iraq con- I think we should act now. I think the stability needed to come to a political tinues unabated, and we have heard it Senate should approve the Levin-Reed solution. But as I say, this has not hap- said on the floor over and over again, amendment, which, to date, is the only pened. As important, moving out of just in the past few days: 25 people amendment, as the majority leader has Iraq would open the door to a reevalua- killed Sunday, attacks across Baghdad, stated so often, with teeth—in 120 days tion of our national security interests 10 killed in a car bomb blast in a busy redeployment begins, and out by April in the region. commercial area, a triple bombing at- 30th of next year. It is clear, it is defin- I happened to listen to Senator tack in Kirkuk killing 85 yesterday, itive, and it has the support of a major- LUGAR on the floor in what I think was wounding 183. And within hours of that ity of this body. one of the most eloquent speeches I attack, several men in Iraqi military No State has suffered more than Cali- have heard. Let me quote from him. uniforms attacked a Shia village in fornia from this war. We have nearly Our course in Iraq has lost contact with Diyala fatally shooting 28 men, women, 400 dead and 3,000 wounded; 400 dead, our vital national security interests in the and children. 400 young men and women dead from Middle East and beyond. Our continuing ab- This is why we need a change in the State. I hear some States say they sorption with military activities in Iraq is course. And these are not isolated inci- have had five or six. We have had 400 limiting our diplomatic assertiveness there dents. They are not the exception. people killed in this war. It is clear we and elsewhere in the world. They are the norm, day in, day out. must change course, but the President We know our Nation faces major Every day there is more—more bomb- and some in this body say, again, we challenges and the primary focus on ings, more shootings, more IEDs, more should wait. Iraq has allowed these problems to fes- kidnappings, more death squads. Let me tell you why we should not ter. It has sapped our ability to act Has the surge led to a reduction in wait. Here is what we will lose in 8 elsewhere, both by crippling our mili- violence? No. The news continues. We weeks, if current trends continue. Hun- tary’s readiness and by draining our also heard last week of a firefight be- dreds more U.S. troops dead. At this soft power around the world. Our chal- tween U.S. forces and Iraqi police. present rate, that is 200 more dead. lenges today, our real national inter- This cannot be the right direction. More than 1,000 U.S. troops injured. Ac- ests, include: preventing terrorists The surge wasn’t supposed to be a sil- tually, if the present rate continues, from gaining safe haven in Pakistan ver bullet, but it was supposed to give 1,200 to 1,500 more. Several thousand and Afghanistan; preventing the vio- the Iraqi Government the space and more Iraqi civilians killed. At the lence in Iraq from spreading through- stability needed to come to a political present rate, 4,000 to 6,000 by waiting. out the Middle East, Afghanistan, and accommodation. But has this hap- Nearly 100,000 more Iraqi civilians dis- the cities of Europe; stopping the pened? The answer has to be no. Is this placed and another $20 billion spent. spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear likely to happen in the next 55 days? I ask you, is this an acceptable cost weapons technologies and strength- The answer is no. of waiting? It is not to me. Secretary ening the Nuclear Nonproliferation In fact, the Iraqi Parliament will be Gates and other administration offi- Treaty. This is the national interest of taking a month-long vacation during cials made it clear in January we this country.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9353 Containing Iran and compelling it to ries, and many of these injuries are Iraq, a new democracy, an infant de- abandon its uranium enrichment pro- more serious than anything we have mocracy. We are lecturing them for not gram and pursuing a sustained and ro- ever seen in the history of veterans’ coming up with a consensus when we bust diplomacy aimed at achieving care, people who will require care for can’t come up with one ourselves. Israeli-Palestinian peace—I am de- the rest of their lives. I think it is important for the Amer- lighted the President has taken on this We lose 100 of our people every ican people to know it is not nec- as a major initiative with priority and month. So why wait to act? The most essarily that way in the Senate. I that the Secretary of State will be in recent Pentagon quarterly report on began this day at 8 a.m. at a breakfast, charge of this effort. Iraq concluded that the ‘‘aggregate as I did last week, as I did the week be- Finally, improving the image of the level of violence’’ in Iraq has remained fore, which we call our bipartisan United States and repairing the dam- ‘‘unchanged’’—unchanged. Five months breakfast. This morning we had about age done to our credibility around the into the surge, the level of violence in a dozen Republicans and Democrats world. Iraq, according to the recent Pentagon around the table—only Senators. Last Does anyone believe, truly, this war report, is unchanged, and CIA analyst week, we had two dozen around a table. has gained us respect in the council of Tim Fingar testified to Congress last Our subject was Iraq and the Defense world nations? Does anyone believe week the violence in Iraq has not yet authorization bill. that? Because if they do, they are been reduced significantly. I will not say any more about what smoking something. Because it has At the same time, even as we have was discussed because one of the bene- not. There has never been a time when appropriated $450 billion for this war, fits of this breakfast is it is the only America has less credibility abroad spending has increased to $10 billion a time during the week, except for our than today. month; Armed Forces are stretched prayer breakfast on Wednesday, when Does anybody believe this war is thin, equipment is worn, recruiting is we are not in team meetings, when quelling a new generation of terrorists? down, and nobody knows what happens there is not a group somewhere plot- It is doing exactly opposite. to the military come April when de- ting what this side will do to that side Peter Bergen, whose books I have ployments cannot be met. So why wait or what that side will do to this side. It read, whose statements I follow, said to act? is amazing what sort of discussion we the other day on CNN that he esti- We are going to be paying the costs can have when we sit down around that mates terrorists have increased seven- of this war for decades. Yet this Presi- sort of table. We have many of the fold, that is 700 percent, since the war dent has asked for more time. Waiting same principles who have talked to- in Iraq began. Is this our interest? Is another 2 months will not change any- night on the Senate floor, people who our interest to encourage every thing. It will be more of the same. As have strongly held views and they are madrasah all throughout the Arab and has been said on this floor tonight a different views and they were stated Islamic world to essentially preach to myriad of times, but I must echo it: clearly and explicitly and each of us re- create a new generation of terrorists? The President shows no inclination to spected those views. We heard them. That is what is happening right now listen to a majority of the Senate, to But at least as strong as the dif- and we are not addressing it. We are the American people or to the House of ference of opinion in that bipartisan not spending the money, the $10 billion Representatives. He has provided no breakfast—as it is each week when we a month to see that there are normal exit strategy, no plan to begin rede- talk—was the feeling that our main job schools in these countries that teach ploying our troops. Come September, was, as soon as we could, to come to youngsters how to become educated, to there is no reason to believe anything some sort of consensus about where we accept a place of economic upward mo- will have changed. Why wait to act? go from here. Because the single most bility in what is a modern world. No. I yield the floor. important thing we can do as a govern- Instead, the sores fester and the terror- (Disturbance in the visitors’ gal- ment, other than fund our troops, is to ists grow. That is the reason that, as leries.) send them a clear signal that we agree far as air traffic is concerned, we are in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The gal- on why we sent them there to fight and orange alert today. lery will refrain. It is not appropriate perhaps be wounded and perhaps to die The simple truth is that none of to express approval or disapproval in and we failed in that responsibility. To these initiatives can be pursued ade- the galleries. compound it, we are in the midst of a quately so long as we are bogged down The senior Senator from Tennessee is political stunt which does not do any- in Iraq. Iraq dominates our Nation’s recognized. thing to encourage us toward a con- psyche, it dominates our Nation’s Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, sensus. pocketbook, and it dominates in the with this political stunt tonight, the In my remarks tonight, rather than loss of our men and women. Senate has reached the approximate heap oil on the fire, what I would like I think each deserves the continuous level of the Iraqi Parliament in dealing to do is talk for a moment about how attention of this administration, and with the war on Iraq. There will be no we could come to that consensus and the longer we wait to begin a redeploy- more votes for a fixed deadline for about both Democrats and Republicans ment of our troops, the longer we delay withdrawal from Iraq at 3 a.m. than in this body who are working that way. the day of reckoning, the longer we there would be at 3 p.m. This demeans Mrs. FEINSTEIN, the Senator from Cali- refuse to take the diplomatic steps and trivializes the foremost issue fac- fornia, mentioned a number of Sen- that are necessary to engage with ing our country. It does not show the ators who do that. My experience with Syria, to engage with Iran, the harder proper respect for the men and women Members of this body began when I it is going to be to achieve a successful who have been fighting there and their came to work here for the first time 40 outcome. I believe this. families. years ago this year as a very junior I believe the time has come to change Here we are, issuing milestones, talk- aide. I have only been a Member of the course. Waiting is not going to change ing about benchmarks to an infant de- body for 4 years. My experience is that the facts on the ground. Oh, I wished I mocracy on the other side of the world, most of us prefer to conduct ourselves believed that. I wish I could say, in 2 issuing reports and report cards about like grownups, to not engage in petty months, we are not going to lose 200 how well they are doing on what we kindergarten games, to not have par- men and women; in 2 months, 4,000 or have told them to do, talking to them tisan efforts where we taunt one an- 5,000 additional Iraqis will not be about why they haven’t passed oil shar- other and try to put one another at a killed; 100,000 additional Iraqis are not ing and debaathification and why they disadvantage but actually recognize we going to be displaced, and we are not have not had more elections, and we are here to look at big, difficult issues going to spend another $20 billion of cannot come up, ourselves, with a con- and to see if we can come up with a so- our treasure. But I cannot. sensus about what we are doing in Iraq. lution for one. In total, we have lost more than 3,600 Here we are, the oldest democracy in If there is such an issue that de- of our brave men and women, almost the world, alleging ourselves—the Sen- mands such a solution, it is America’s 500 since this surge began 5 months ate—to be the greatest deliberative role in Iraq. How would the Senate—if ago. Nearly 27,000 have suffered inju- body in the world, and we are lecturing I am right that most of us would like

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9354 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 to have that kind of result—how would have a problem. The country has a meetings all over America, and meet- we go about working toward consensus, problem. We need a shift of direction. ings in Iraq, with a distinguished staff when we obviously have strongly held We have a Senate that is divided, a that consisted of an honor roll list of different views? For example, Senator President who is insisting on his con- generals and experts. They visited with LEVIN and Senator REED, two of the stitutional prerogatives, and we have former President Clinton, former Vice most senior Members of our body—one men and women fighting and dying in President Mondale, former Secretary a distinguished graduate of West Point, Iraq—what do we do? Ten Americans, of State Albright, former Secretary of one who has served as chairman or let’s pick five Democrats and five Re- State Henry Kissinger, Warren Chris- ranking member of the Armed Services publicans, to give it a little bit more topher, they visited with Colin Powell Committee for a long time—they prestige. and George Shultz, Tony Lake, General strongly believe, as the Senator from That happened last year. Frank Wolf, Scowcroft, to ask about everybody California believes, that unless the a Representative from Virginia; John whose judgment one would hope they Congress imposes upon the President a Warner, Senator from this body, was a would ask, and they came up with 79 fixed deadline for withdrawal, that we part of this as well—they created some- recommendations in December, and will not have any motion in that direc- thing called the Iraq Study Group. The they released it to the public. tion. Iraq Study Group was cochaired by Jim They unanimously agreed in 9 I respect that. I disagree with that. I Baker, the former Secretary of State months about what to do in Iraq. They believe that interferes with the con- for President Bush, and by Lee Ham- also did not pull any punches. They stitutional prerogatives of the Presi- ilton, the former Democratic chairman said in December, even though this was dent. I do not believe it is practical in of the House Foreign Affairs Com- chaired by Jim Baker and Lee Ham- a time of war to say that a group of mittee. There were 10 prestigious ilton, they said: The situation in Iraq Americans who served on the Iraq legislators, 100 generals here in this is ‘‘grave and deteriorating.’’ They said Study Group—if all of us were to put in body, can guess a year out, even if that there is no magic bullet. But they did a hat the names of Americans who is the direction we want to go, exactly unanimously agree, unlike the Levin- might be good members of such a com- how to do it and exactly when to do Reed amendment, that we did not need mission to help us unravel this prob- that. That is why we have a Com- a fixed deadline. They unanimously lem, the 10 who were picked would mander in Chief. agreed that troop deployments should come out of that hat pretty fast, in The Founders didn’t pick this par- be subject to conditions on the ground. pretty good order, with a lot of Mem- ticular President, but they picked a So what did they recommend? Well, bers on both sides of the aisle sug- President, a Chief Executive, with that in a few minutes I cannot summarize 79 gesting them. recommendations, but I can boil it responsibility. I respect that. That is of For example, Larry Eagleburger, the down to three points. First, we should a difference of opinion. So we have pro- former Secretary of State for the first move our troops from a combat mis- found and real and honest differences President Bush; Vernon Jordan, the sion to a support, equipping, and train- of opinion and they are reflected all former president of the National Urban the way across our country. League and a very close associate of ing mission as soon as we honorably I hear them in Tennessee. The Pre- former President Clinton; Ed Meese, can. They said, as a goal, that should siding Officer hears them in his State. President Reagan’s Attorney General; happen in about a year, which then We hear them everywhere, and we feel Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who was would have been the first quarter of them especially strongly because so the first woman to be appointed to the 2008. Now, some time has gone past many of our men and women have been United States Supreme Court by Presi- since then. But they said in about a there. In my State, 10,000 members of dent Reagan; Leon Panetta, who was year. The practical effect of that would the National Guard and the Reserves President Clinton’s Chief of Staff and have been to remove about half our have been to Iraq and Afghanistan; al- who now in California has his own in- combat forces—to reduce the number most all of them more than once. stitute, the Leon & Sylvia Panetta In- of American forces in Iraq by about We think of General Petraeus as al- stitute for Public Policy in Monterey, half. most a hometown boy because he com- CA; Chuck Robb, our former colleague, And, rather than subject that goal of manded the 101st Airborne Division. married to Lynda Bird Johnson. We reducing troops to a fixed deadline, as When he was there as its commander, have been thinking about that family the Levin-Reed amendment says, they he was accidentally shot through the these past 2 weeks with Lady Bird’s said it should be subject to develop- heart in a training exercise. His life death; Chuck Robb, a former marine, ments on the ground, which is prac- was saved, when he went to Vanderbilt former Senator, a member of that tical in a time of war, and respects the Hospital, by none other than Bill Frist, panel; Allen Simpson, who had the No. Commander in Chief’s constitutional our former majority leader, who was 2 position right over here, a whip in the prerogative. then a heart surgeon at Vanderbilt Senate from Wyoming; and, at one They said, No. 2: We should have a University. So we have unusual respect point, Robert Gates, the current Sec- long-term interest in Iraq. It should be for General Petraeus. retary of Defense, was a member of this a limited interest, but there should be We are the ‘‘Volunteer State.’’ We panel before he had to step aside when sufficient troops to help make certain have sent more men and women to he went to the administration. that in that new mission we deal with fight, we think, than almost any State, So those 10 people—five Democrats, that interest. They listed some of the and we instinctively have great respect five Republicans. It would be hard to things the troops would be expected to for the President of the United States. improve on that. do who stayed: guard the Embassy, That is where we start in our State. Then, let’s say you said to this group search and rescue, intelligence, special But, still, there are a great many Ten- of 10: This is an especially difficult forces to go after al-Qaida—the point nesseans who say to me it is time for a problem. The Senate is fractured, the being, even though our troops have a new strategy in Iraq. It is time for a President is insisting on his preroga- different mission, out of a combat role change. We have helped depose Saddam tive, and the country is divided and into a support, equipping, and training Hussein. We have helped Iraq have an tired, and we need a solution. So what mission, there would be enough of opportunity to have a democratic gov- we need for you to do, commissioners, them there to send a message to the ernment. We have stayed a long time is not come back with a majority vote, Middle East and the rest of the world: to help build their security. But now it not come back with a filibuster, not Stay out of Iraq. Give Iraq a chance to is time for us to agree on a different come back with an all-night political succeed, while also protecting U.S. strategy. stunt, but come back with a unani- forces that remained there. That was How would a country and how would mous set of recommendations of where the second point. a body such as the Senate go about we go from here in Iraq, you five Demo- The third point was step up. Step up that? One way to do it might be to pick crats, you five Republicans with years the political and diplomatic efforts in 10 people from outside the Senate, 10 of of experience. the region by a significant amount, in- the most distinguished Americans, and That is precisely what they did in cluding talking with everybody in the say to them: We are stuck here. We December of last year, after 9 or 10 region, to try to bring a result in Iraq.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9355 So those are the three points. One, March. I find that sometimes you have dency.’’ In it he defined the President move out of the combat mission to the to say things more than once in order of the United States. He said, No. 1, his support, equipping, and training mis- to have anybody pay attention. job is to see an urgent need; No. 2, to sion over about a year, without a dead- I said: Why didn’t the President, in develop a strategy to meet the need; line; two, a long-term but limited in- March, take the Iraq Study Group and No. 3 is to persuade at least half of terest in Iraq, with some specifics; and, down off the shelf and use it for some- the people that he is right. three, step up political and diplomatic thing other than a book end? And then I do not believe that President Bush, efforts. Plus, the Iraq Study Group em- I made another speech to that effect, even if he is right in September, is phasized that we would still have a and Senator PRYOR of Arkansas came likely to be able to persuade enough considerable presence in the region in by to see me and said: We need to do people to support his strategy to be Qatar and Kuwait and in Bahrain. So something about this. We need to find able to sustain the strategy. Let me that is what the Iraq Study Group said. a way to work together rather than to say that again. Even if he is right in What happened with the Iraq Study continue to have Democratic and Re- September, even if he takes many parts Group report? Well, I was very dis- publican votes on Iraq. of the Baker-Hamilton group and an- appointed by the reaction to the re- Then Senator SALAZAR called me and nounces it as his strategy, at this stage port, especially when I saw that the said: I have been working with Sec- in our history, I do not believe he can recommendations were unanimous. retary Baker, and with Lee Hamilton persuade enough Americans to support When I first saw who were the distin- and their staffs. I put together legisla- his strategy to sustain the strategy. guished members of that panel, I was tion that accurately reflects the rec- I believe this strategy should be sus- convinced that at the State of the ommendations of the Iraq Study tained. So how does he do that? The Union Address, President Bush would Group. And it simply adopts those rec- way he does that is to embrace those seat them in the gallery, and at the ap- ommendations as our law. If the Presi- who wrote this and those who support propriate time, as Presidents often do, dent agrees to it, he is asked to develop this so that it is not just his strategy, he would say: There they are, from the a comprehensive plan based on those so that it is our strategy, so that he Reagan administration, from the Clin- recommendations. can say to the troops in the Middle ton administration, from my father’s Since that time, there are now 14 of East, and to the rest of the Middle administration, and they have unani- us in the Senate on both sides of the East, and to the world: The Congress mously agreed on where we go from aisle who are cosponsors of that idea. and I have come together around a set here in Iraq. And it is not exactly my Senator SALAZAR is the leader. He has of principles. I am developing a plan on proposal, it is their proposal, but be- done a terrific job on that. He is a those principles. And not everyone cause it is important to our troops and Democrat from Colorado. In addition agrees, but a consensus of us agree, to our country and to the world that to my cosponsorship, we have been which is why I would say to the Demo- we move forward in a unified way, I ac- joined by MARK PRYOR, a Democrat cratic leader, with respect, I do not cept their recommendations. I will de- from Arkansas; BOB BENNETT, a Repub- mind requiring 60 votes on the Iraq velop a plan based upon their report. I lican from Utah; ROBERT CASEY, a issues. We need a consensus. We do not ask you and the Congress to accept it. Democrat from Pennsylvania; JUDD want to have an Iraq policy that passes I think there is a good chance that GREGG, a Republican from New Hamp- by 51 to 49. We need a consensus. I be- the Congress would accept such a plan, shire; BLANCHE LINCOLN, a Democrat lieve we can have it. and an important part of that reason is from Arkansas; JOHN SUNUNU, a Repub- There are some who say adopting the because even the President needed lican from New Hampshire; SUSAN COL- Iraq Study Group principles, the Sala- someone else to help him develop sup- LINS, a Republican from Maine; PETE zar-Alexander legislation, is toothless. port for whatever proposal he came up DOMENICI, a Republican from New Mex- I respectfully disagree. My grandfather with. So that would be the first thing I ico; BILL NELSON, a Democrat from was a railroad engineer, a Santa Fe think we would do if we were trying to Florida; MARY LANDRIEU, a Democrat railroad engineer. He lived in Newton, solve this problem: go ask 10 of the from Louisiana; CLAIRE MCCASKILL, a KS, and his job was to drive the big lo- most distinguished Americans of both Democrat from Missouri; and KENT comotives onto the roundtable it was parties to tell us what to do in specific CONRAD, a Democrat from North Da- called. And that was how you turned a recommendations, and do it unani- kota. locomotive around. A locomotive mously. My guess is that if the Democratic might be about as hard to turn around Now, what is the second thing we Senate leadership would back off a lit- as a country in the middle of a war. would do? Well, I think we would come tle bit, if the President would be more But that is what my grandfather did. to this body and say: Every time we flexible, there are probably 60 votes He turned that locomotive around. And turn around there is a political stunt coming from both sides of the aisle for it was turned around. They put it on a going on. Someone has had an early the Baker-Hamilton report, and if that different track and off it went in a dif- morning meeting and decided we are should be adopted by the Congress, we ferent direction. going to do this to the Republicans, can move forward, which brings me to If we and the President were to agree and then some Republicans get excited, my final point. on the recommendations of the Iraq and they have an early morning meet- What would be the third step in hav- Study Group, it would be just like my ing and say: We are going to do this to ing a bipartisan consensus for our grandfather putting that big loco- the Democrats. And you do not have country that would say to our troops motive on the roundtable in Newton, the kind of discussion that these 10 and the world: We agree on why you KS. It would be turned around and sent Americans had or the kind we have in are there, and we support that mission? down a different track. And, for now, our bipartisan breakfasts. It would be for the President to em- at least, those on the other side would But the second thing that needs to be brace the recommendations of the Iraq pick another engineer. But the engi- done to move us in a consensus on Study Group. The President of the neer cannot do much about that track where we go from here in Iraq would be United States does not want to do that. once he is on it. It would be headed to find some Senator in this body who I respect that. He has an absolute con- down the track, the world would know would say: We are going to accept this stitutional right to say: Our Framers it, and in good faith we could work to- Iraq Study Group report, and we are created the Executive, I am the Com- gether. going to ask that the President agree mander in Chief, we cannot have 100 When I was an impatient young man to it and develop a plan based upon it generals, I will develop the plan, and I working in the White House 40 years and report to us on it in 90 days. will command the troops. That is my ago, a wise man named Bruce Harlow That is precisely what Senator SALA- job. said to me: Lamar, just remember that ZAR did with his legislation. After say- He is right about that, except he has here—he meant the White House—just ing in January that I was disappointed another part to his job. George Reedy, a little tilt makes big waves out there. the President did not adopt the rec- who was the Press Secretary to former If this Congress and this President ommendations of the Iraq Study President Lyndon Johnson, wrote a adopted together the Iraq Study Group Group, I made a speech on the floor in book called, ‘‘Twilight of the Presi- recommendations this week, that

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9356 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 would make big waves out there, and to the floor, so I will try to be brief in read the recommendations. They are that would be a new consensus for our my remarks. But I would like to assure right here. Here they are, not imple- country. my good friend from Tennessee that mented into law. But can we vote on Some said: Well, the Iraq Study this is not a stunt. This is a very this? No, because the minority leader Group is a little stale. It is out of date. strong and clear and unwavering state- says they don’t want to have a vote on It was done in December. ment tonight that the President and these recommendations. Lee Hamilton, the Democratic co- the Republican leadership are leading I wish to say another thing about the chairman said: No. He said: We said in this country in the wrong direction, role of the Congress and the President. December the situation was grave and and now is the time to change it. I am so tired of hearing the other side deteriorating. It still is. We said in De- I have not been to Hollywood too say: Why does Congress have anything cember we need to move from a combat many times, but I have been there to say about this matter? Maybe be- mission to support, equipping, and enough to know that there is a lot of cause our Constitution says we should, training. We still do. This week he glitter, fountains, big lights. I do not maybe because the intelligence reports said: In addition, we need to have a see any fountains or glitter on the that are done are not just presented to long-term limited role in Iraq. And we floor of the Senate. I see hard-working the President and his military generals still do. And finally he said: We need to Senators who are here to debate the and leaders and war fighters. The intel- step up our diplomatic and political ef- most important issue. ligence reports are given to us. There forts in Iraq, and we still do. And for our colleagues on the other was one delivered this morning I would To the President, I would say with side of the aisle to question our inten- like to read. the greatest respect, because he is a tions is beneath the dignity of this Before I read what it says, I wish to member of my own party, and I have body. Let me repeat again for the Sen- read the way it says it. talked with him about this before, I ator from Tennessee, to the Senator Since its formation in 1973, the National would say: Mr. President, I do respect from Kentucky, and all of my friends: Intelligence Council has served as a bridge your prerogative. I know you can draw This is not a stunt. This is an exercise between the intelligence and policy commu- the plan up. I know you want to sit in reality. And this is not Hollywood, nities, a source of deep, substantive expertise down first with General Petraeus, on critical national security issues, and as a this is the Senate, and this is exactly focal point for Intelligence Community col- whom we all respect and whom I espe- what people in the Senate do, debate. laboration. . . . [It] provides a focal point for cially do, as a friend, because he spent And what we also like to do is vote. policymakers . . . so much time in Tennessee. But the But we are not allowed to vote because That would be me, I am a policy- Salazar-Alexander legislation has no the minority leader has decided that maker. I ran for the job. I am elected. chance of taking effect until Sep- we are not going to have a vote. We I am here to make policy, and I intend tember. And all it asks you to do is to have a majority of votes to change di- to make it. rection. I would argue with the other draw up a comprehensive plan based . . . Warfighters, and Congressional leaders upon the recommendations of the Iraq side that we are never going to get 80 to task the Intelligence Community for an- Study Group. The first person you sit percent or 90 percent of the Senate to swers— down with can be General Petraeus. move in one direction or another in a We sure need some important ques- And I would ask the President wheth- situation such as this. It is an impos- tions, such as how to win the war er it be better for him to ignore the sible barrier to achieve. against terrorism. Iraq Study Group and come up with his But we may get a growing number, a They don’t send this to the President own plan, or would it be better for him majority of Senators who represent the and say: After you finish reading it, let to come to the Congress and say: Con- majority of the population in America us know what you want us to do. They gress, I will adopt these. Why don’t you to say to the President that we want to send it to us, and today they sent us adopt these and let’s send our troops a go in another direction. So tonight is another one. message that we are united in what not a stunt. It is a statement saying it What it said in this report is: they are fighting for? is time to allow us to vote. Al-qa’ida is and will remain the most seri- So there are 14 of us, 8 Democrats, 6 Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, will the ous terrorist threat to the Homeland, as its Republicans at this point, who support President yield for a question? central leadership continues to plan high-im- and cosponsor the Iraq Study Group. Ms. LANDRIEU. No, I will not. pact plots, while pushing others in extremist But I believe there are many more of I also say to the Senator, I am a co- Sunni communities to mimic its efforts and us who could be comfortable with it, sponsor of the Iraq Study Group legis- to supplement its capabilities. who could vote for it, even if it is not lation by Senator SALAZAR, on which It is clearly saying, yes, there are our first choice. he worked so hard and so honestly to some threats and activities in Sunni So I regret this all-night political build bipartisan support. But what hap- areas in Iraq, but there are also Sunni stunt, but I respect this body. I see it pened when the President gave his areas around the world. And so Osama every week in those bipartisan break- State of the Union Address 2 years ago bin Laden is still loose. fasts, talking like the people of this when things looked as though they I brought his picture tonight so I country wish we always would when were not going very well in Iraq? We could remind the President what he confronted by a major issue. I salute had more deaths, more violence, and a looks like. He is still on the loose, the Senators SALAZAR and PRYOR and those bipartisan group did come together, leader of al-Qaida. This is his descrip- on that side, and Senator GREGG, Sen- some of the great minds on this issue. tion. He is 6 foot 4 inches to 6 foot 6 ator BENNETT, Senator COLLINS, and What did the President do? He dis- inches, approximately 160 pounds. He is those on this side who are working to- missed the document. thin. Occupation unknown. We know gether to fix that. I hope more of our I am not sure what the Senator from now what he does. His hair is brown. colleagues will join us soon. Tennessee thinks, maybe the President His eyes are brown. His complexion is The President and the Congress could will wake up tomorrow morning and olive. And there is a reward—and agree on the Baker-Hamilton rec- decide to read the report. But he hasn’t thank goodness they let us have a vote ommendations, and we would say to read it for 2 years. It is not being im- on Byron Dorgan’s amendment because our troops: We not only will fund you, plemented. That is what this debate is now the reward is $50 million instead of but we can now also say to you and to about. $25 million. Maybe the President will the Middle East that we agree on your I don’t know how many more com- veto that provision. I don’t know. But mission, on why you are fighting, and missions we could commission. I don’t I, frankly, think that was a good idea. why you are being wounded, and why know how many more experts we could Maybe we should raise it a little high- you are dying. gather. I don’t know how many more er. I don’t know what Congress is doing I yield the floor. Republicans and Democrats could come discussing what the reward should be The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- together to explain to this President it for Osama bin Laden. Clearly, we have ator from Louisiana. is not working. So I am not sure about nothing to say about this issue. I am Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I see creating another commission. We have glad we voted to increase the reward. I that many of my colleagues have come already had many. He doesn’t even would like to see if we can find him and

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9357 kill him. If we would stop spending $500 ward to continuing many nights into ing. And the question is: Will we sus- million a day, $35 million before break- the future and days ahead. tain what has been a bedrock policy of fast every day in Iraq, maybe we could I yield the floor. the Senate to require 60 votes for a find him because he is not in Baghdad. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. NEL- matter of great importance that comes We, obviously, have disagreements SON of Nebraska). The Senator from before this body, particularly a matter about the way to proceed, but I can as- Connecticut. where there is a lot at stake? sure my colleagues this is not a stunt. Mr. LIEBERMAN. I thank the Chair This amendment offered by my col- This is a real debate that is taking Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, be- leagues from Michigan and Rhode Is- place in a real place that is the real fore the distinguished Senator from land is a very serious amendment. Senate of the United States. It is not Connecticut begins, can we see about Some of us believe it would have disas- Hollywood. getting a unanimous consent agree- trous consequences for the security of The President and the Republican ment relative to some order? the United States of America, for the leadership have made many mistakes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- safety of our troops in Iraq, for the sta- Nobody is perfect, and we all make ator from Connecticut has the floor. bility of the region, for any hope for them. But we have to change course. Mr. LIEBERMAN. I will yield to the democracy in the Middle East, and a What we are doing is not working. He Senator for the purpose of propounding better future for the people of that part is still loose. The estimate today says a unanimous consent request but with- of the world than the suicidal death that al-Qaida is as strong as it was on out yielding the floor. and hatred al-Qaida offers them. 9/11. If we are winning the war, I am The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without But you know, I have recollection of not sure that 4 years after you engage, objection, it is so ordered. times in the Senate hearing the distin- if your enemy is stronger than it was Mr. CHAMBLISS. I propose that the guished Senator from West Virginia, Mr. BYRD. He has made, over the years, when you started, that is winning Senator from Connecticut go for as some compelling arguments for why under any definition. But that is what long as he might take; that the Sen- the Senate has this unusual procedure the Republican leadership continues to ator from Maine, Ms. COLLINS, follow of requiring 60 votes on matters of tell people: despite the mounting cas- him. Does the Senator know who wants great importance. I am not quoting ualties, the increased funerals, and the to go next on his side? The Senator him directly, but this is consistent tremendous strains on our soldiers and from New Jersey? with the vision of one of the Framers— their families coming home, that we The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I believe it was Madison, I am not are most certainly winning. The Amer- ator from Connecticut has the floor. sure—who said, if you will, that the ican people don’t believe it. Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, re- Senate is the saucer in which the Con- Some people are asking to pull out. I sponding to the Senator from Georgia, gress will cool the coffee. As Senator am not asking that, but I am asking I understand the Senator from Ohio, BYRD said much more to the point, we for a change of direction. I brought this Mr. BROWN, wishes to speak next in in this Chamber have had for a long picture to the floor today to remind ev- order. time this ability to request 60 votes to erybody how we got here in the first Mr. CHAMBLISS. Senator BROWN pass a matter when there are Members place. Saddam Hussein did not attack would follow Senator COLLINS and Sen- of the Senate—and I am one in this ator ISAKSON would follow Senator the United States, Osama bin Laden case—who believe the passage of this BROWN. did, and he is still alive, and now ter- matter would have a profoundly nega- Mr. BROWN. I object. The informal rorism is around the world in places it tive effect on our country and its secu- order established was Senator ALEX- was not before we started down this rity. road. If we are not careful, we are ANDER, Senator LANDRIEU, Senator LIE- I know some of my colleagues dis- going to spend all our money there, all BERMAN, myself, then a Republican, agree with me, of course. But I am ex- the American people’s patience there, and then Senator MENENDEZ. I ask ercising my right within the tradition and all their will there and still not unanimous consent that be the order. of the Senate to do what senior col- find the guy we are looking for and the Mr. CHAMBLISS. I think that is leagues have advised over the years: to central intelligence of al-Qaida. I know what I said. stop the passions, the political passions he is not the only part of al-Qaida, but The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- of a moment from sweeping across Con- he is the leader, and we need to find ator from Connecticut still has the gress into law and altering our future him. floor. permanently. I have done it on other So however one feels about the issue, Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I matters. I have done it on environ- I don’t think spending one night on the am sorry, I put Senator COLLINS ahead mental matters, where I think some- floor of the Senate, which is not a Hol- of Senator BROWN and I was wrong. thing proposed will have so adverse an lywood set but the real deal, is too Senator BROWN would follow Senator effect on some of the natural wonders much to ask, since our soldiers have LIEBERMAN, Senator COLLINS follows that God has given the United States spent every night for 5 years on the Senator BROWN. of America that I have said: No, I am battlefield around the world. Mr. LIEBERMAN. Then if my friend going to be part of a group to demand I will make one more point. I hope from Georgia will allow, I gather the 60 votes because if I allow this to pass that nobody comes to my State or on Senator from New Jersey, Mr. MENEN- by less, there will be an irreversible the floor and accuses me of not sup- DEZ, will be next. change that will occur. porting our troops in uniform because I Mr. CHAMBLISS. Following Senator With respect to my colleagues who will have several words for them. Every COLLINS, that is correct. are saying let us vote, we will vote. time we disagree about procedures, the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without But the question on that vote is will ones who don’t agree with the Presi- objection, it is so ordered. we ask for 60 votes to adopt this very dent are accused of not supporting our Mr. CHAMBLISS. We will figure out significant amendment? I say it is in troops. We couldn’t support them where we are at the end of that time. the best traditions of the Senate to re- more. Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I quire 60 votes before this amendment is So I hope we can get past that rea- rise to address the amendment offered adopted. soning and perhaps we can find a better by Senator LEVIN and Senator REED Second, before I get to the merits of consensus. But the place we are going, and to explain why I will vote against the amendment or my opinion about it, the direction we are going is not right. cloture on the amendment tomorrow I wish to respond to something my We need to change course, and we need morning. friend from Tennessee, Senator ALEX- to fight smart, we need to fight tough, I think it is important to explain ANDER, said about the bipartisan meet- we need to go where the enemy is, and that because my friend from Louisiana ing we had this morning, people of dif- we need to protect America. who spoke before me had behind her a ferent opinions on this issue discussing According to this intelligence report sign that said: Let us vote. We may see in a closed room across a table looking that was issued this morning, it doesn’t that sign again. I wish to indicate that for common ground. I wish to express look like we are doing that. That is we are going to have a vote. We are my own sense of disappointment, sad- what this debate is about. I look for- going to have a vote tomorrow morn- ness, though unfortunately in these

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9358 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 very partisan times not surprise, that takes me to this point. For 3 years left some of our marines and some of this debate we are having which afterward, this country followed a the Iraqi security forces, working with reaches a kind of pitch, a moment of strategy in Iraq that didn’t work. We the Sunni indigenous tribal leaders, confrontation on the Levin-Reed followed a strategy in Iraq for too long and what did we do? We followed al- amendment which would mandate a that didn’t work. I strongly supported Qaida on the run to Diyala Province, to withdrawal from Iraq, that this debate the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein Baquba city, the major city there, and is so partisan. I have a point of view and deeply desired that we do every- we have them on the run there as well. about the war in Iraq and what I think thing we could not just to overthrow As a result, the tribal leaders there are is best for our security and future pol- him but to try to create within Iraq a beginning to come over to our side. So icy in Iraq. new Iraq, a free Iraq, a self-governing this surge, interim as the reports are, I know people have different points of Iraq that would give hope to people is, on the ground, working. view. I respect that. This is a difficult, throughout the Arab world, the Muslim Now comes the Levin-Reed amend- a very difficult matter on which to world, of a better future than the one ment. I wish to say to my colleagues reach judgment. So people, of course, that al-Qaida offers them, which is a this is not the Levin-Reed amendment can have different points of view, but return to a millennium ago, away from we voted on earlier this year. That why do we divide in those different the modern world, but we erred for 3 amendment did require the beginning points of view on party lines? There is years. Many of us cried out that we did of a withdrawal of troops within 120 no inherent reason why that should not have enough troops there, we were days of passage, as this amendment happen. It is a sign of what ails our po- following a strategy that did not work, does. But that amendment set a goal— litical system, what afflicts our Fed- too few troops and not focusing on al- G-O-A-L—a goal for our troops to be eral Government and hamstrings it, Qaida training, an insufficient ability substantially withdrawn from Iraq by what frustrates and ultimately angers to do that, and letting the terrorists the end of March of next year. It is no the American people about what they essentially take hold of the country. longer a goal in this Levin-Reed see here because what they see is that Finally, last year, the President of amendment. It is a mandate, a rigid too often we seem to be playing par- the United States, as Commander in deadline that by the end of April of tisan politics, we seem to be in a kind Chief, changed the course in Iraq. He next year most of our troops are out of of partisan tug of war. The net result changed the leadership of the Pen- Iraq. A core group is left, presumably of that is that nothing gets done. tagon, which was critically necessary. with the stated purpose to train the Wars are always controversial. Wars He brought in a new Secretary of De- Iraqis and to fight al-Qaida, which is have been controversial throughout fense, consulted with experts on all exactly what the previous policy that our history. But rarely have the divi- sides about what to do, how to improve failed was aimed at doing. sions between those who support a war what was happening in Iraq, and adopt- Some have said this is the only and oppose it or support particular ed a totally new strategy. That is why amendment with teeth. It does have policies associated with it and oppose when I hear people in this debate say- teeth. But I think we have to ask: Who it been as partisan as they are at this ing we need a change of course in Iraq, does it bite? I think it bites our hope moment. It has to stop. If it doesn’t well, we got a change of course, finally. for success in Iraq. It bites our troops, It was later than I hoped for, but, fi- stop on Iraq, I believe our Nation will as they proceed day in and day out, nally, at the end of last year, beginning be weakened seriously. courageously, compassionately, effec- We have to find ways, no matter in February, the counteroffensive, tively. It bites our hope for keeping al- what the partisan pressures are, to called a surge, and a new general, a Qaida and Iran out of controlling Iraq. come together as Americans to defend great general—a general in the tradi- This amendment mandates a retreat to our Nation against those who hate us tion of Maxwell Taylor, General begin in 4 months, 120 days, regardless all—al-Qaida, Iran, the fanatics run- Abrams, a general who was called on in of what is happening on the ground. ning around who exhort the tens of a very difficult situation, probably the thousands to shout ‘‘Death to Amer- single most informed leader on coun- This is not a debate about whether to ica.’’ They have been doing it since the terinsurgency in our military, GEN change course in Iraq, it is a debate revolution of 1979. They do it weekly David Petraeus, to take charge of these about whether to accept and embrace throughout Iran: ‘‘Death to America.’’ troops—and he gave him 30,000 addi- defeat in Iraq. We have changed course, Surely we understand they don’t dis- tional troops. as I said before. This is a debate about tinguish between Republicans and The evidence thus far is incomplete, whether we are going to give our gen- Democrats when they shout ‘‘Death to because as has been said, and will be erals and our troops the chance that America. We should have the common said again, the surge was just fully they say they need to succeed, and suc- sense, let alone a sense of responsi- staffed about a month ago. But you ceed they know they can, or if we are bility to our country, to come together have to look at the statistics. I know going to order them to retreat—we and defend our Nation against those the benchmark that came in, the in- order them to retreat—as they on the who want to destroy us, as al-Qaida terim one last week, was mixed. But on ground are risking their lives every began to do on 9/11. the security side, which is what the day and succeeding. I regret the partisanship that charac- surge was first aimed at, deaths from We are going to, if this amendment terizes this debate. sectarian violence are way down in passes, impose a deadline that is as in- I wish to talk very briefly about how Baghdad, more than half the city is flexible as it is arbitrary. I say this we got here, not going over it in any now under the control of American and with respect, but I say it from the bot- detail. This Congress authorized the Iraqi forces, and normalcy is returning tom of my heart. This is a deadline for President to take action to overthrow to many parts of the capital city, and an American defeat, one that we will Saddam Hussein after the administra- Anbar Province, the story is well pay for, I fear, for a generation to tion had attempted, through the known now. Basically, the additional come. United Nations Security Council, to troops and the new strategy enabled us Let us be absolutely clear again get Saddam to take certain steps, in- to convince the Sunni tribal leaders in about what the amendment we are de- cluding proving to us he had destroyed Anbar, which al-Qaida was going to bating now would do. If adopted, this the weapons of mass destruction, he make the capital of its Islamist ex- amendment would literally put this had filed an inventory with the United tremist caliphate, We convinced the Congress between the Commander in Nations Security Council as a condi- tribal leaders we were there to stay, so Chief, our generals, and our soldiers in tion of the truce and end to the gulf they came to our side, and al-Qaida is the field. So just as our troops are on war of 1991. on the run—and for the first time. Al- the offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq, I don’t wish to revisit that. I know ways before we had the strategy where just as our troops have the enemy on people look back at him and think they we would chase the terrorists out of a the run, this amendment would reach were deceived in why we went to war. I community, a city, in Baghdad, and we 5,000 miles across the ocean and put think the world is better off without would leave and then they would come our troops on the run in retreat and de- Saddam Hussein in power. But this back. This time, in Anbar Province, we feat.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9359 I will tell you this, the American Senate, have a responsibility to lead, mitted, lead to the setting up of two military, the best in the world—coura- not to follow. We have a responsi- mujahedin emirates, which will be launch geous, resourceful, fighting a tough bility—it is the oath we took when we pads for the liberation of the Islamic lands fight but adjusting to it, resilient, find- and the establishment of the caliphate. That were sworn in—to do what we believe is is why I call on the Muslim Umah not to lag ing ways to succeed—the American right for our country, even if it is un- behind or tarry in supporting jihad in gen- military will never lose the war in popular. eral and jihad in Iraq and Afghanistan in Iraq. The war in Iraq, if it is to be lost, I speak for myself, but I firmly be- particular, in view of the pivotal importance will be lost as a result of a loss of polit- lieve what is right is that we cannot of these two arenas. ical will here at home, and you have to allow our Nation to be defeated in Iraq I started this because I said that judge the consequences of that. Each by the same Islamist extremists who some of my colleagues offering this one of us has to. attacked us on 9/11, with whom we are amendment say we are in a civil war in In the midst of an unpredictable war, engaged now in a worldwide war that Iraq and we ought not to be there. this amendment would strip our mili- stretches from Baghdad to London, There is sectarian violence. That is tary commanders not only of the from Madrid to Riyadh, from Bali to why we have the counterinsurgency troops they say they need to succeed— Jerusalem, and from Fort Dix to JFK plan, which is to try to stop the sec- this amendment would remove the Airport. tarian violence, and it is working so troops from our commanding gen- The sponsors of this resolution insist far. Surely we don’t know whether it erals—it would strip them of the au- what is happening in Iraq is a civil war, will work finally, but sectarian vio- thority and the ability to adapt to and they want us to not be part of it. lence has been significantly reduced in changing conditions, which, after all, is But this argument flies in the face of Baghdad and now Anbar and Diyala what success in war is all about, put- the statements of al-Qaida’s own top Provinces. But the argument that this ting America’s military in a legislative leaders who have repeatedly told us is simply a civil war is totally rejected, straitjacket. they consider Iraq to be, today, the denied by these statements of al- I am going to do everything I can to central battlefield of their world war Qaida’s own leaders. stop that from happening, and that is against us. We didn’t start this world We are fighting al-Qaida in Iraq. You why I am going to vote against cloture. war, they did, by attacking us. can’t withdraw from Iraq and fight al- This amendment is wrong. I truly be- I wish to take a moment to read Qaida. That is whom we are fighting. lieve it is dangerous. In fact, this some comments, direct quotes, from Who is going to win if we pull out? Al- amendment should not even be consid- leaders of al-Qaida that make this Qaida will and Iran will. Listen to what ered now. I welcome the debate, but I clear. I am not making it up. I am not Zawahiri and bin Laden said they are believe, when we passed the supple- quoting somebody in the administra- going to do: They are going to estab- mental appropriations bill in which we tion. lish the capital of the caliphate, the authorized the surge to go forward, in December 2004. Osama bin Laden. empire, and they are going to go out which we appropriated funds for the I now address my speech to the whole of into the neighboring countries. surge, in which we established the re- the Islamic nation. Listen and understand. Incidentally, the notion that some- quirement for the benchmark, for The most important and serious issue today how we are not fighting al-Qaida in which we got the study last week and for the whole world is this Third World war. Iraq and that this is just a civil war then the next one coming in Sep- It is raging in the lands of the two rivers— also flies in the face of the National In- tember, to me we made an institu- Iraq. The world’s millstone and pillar is telligence Estimate on al-Qaida that tional pledge in that to General Baghdad, the capital of the caliphate. was released today, which describes al- Petraeus and the troops. Because in July 2005, Ayman al-Zawahiri, second Qaida in Iraq as the most visible and that bill we required General Petraeus, to bin Laden, as we know, in al-Qaida. capable affiliate of al-Qaida worldwide. along with our Ambassador to Bagh- A letter to Abu Mus’ab al-Zarqawi, the Of note, and I quote in full: dad, Ryan Crocker, to come back in head of Iraq, subsequently killed by co- We assess that al-Qaeda will probably seek September and report to us. We wanted alition forces. Quote from Zawahiri to to leverage the context and capabilities of to give them, at the request of General Zarqawi: al-Qaeda in Iraq, its most visible and capable I want to be the first to congratulate you affiliate, and the only one that is beyond bin Petraeus, time from the middle of Laden and Zawahiri, the only local affiliate June, when the surge troops would for what God has blessed you with in terms of fighting a battle in the heart of the Is- known to have expressed a desire to attack have arrived, to September to see the American homeland. lamic world, what is now the place for the whether he could make it work and re- greatest battle of Islam in this era. So I know people laugh or jest when port back to us. Zawahiri, in that same letter: people say if we don’t defeat them I don’t think there is a person in this there we will be fighting them here, The Mujahadeen must not have their mis- Chamber, no matter what our position but this is what the National Intel- on Iraq, that doesn’t trust General sion end with the expulsion of the Americans from Iraq. No, the first stage is to expel the ligence Estimate says. We are fighting Petraeus to tell us the truth, what he Americans from Iraq; the second stage is to al-Qaida in Iraq, the only local affiliate believes, when he comes back in Sep- establish an Islamic authority, or emirate, of al-Qaida that has also talked about, tember. I think we made an institu- over as much of the territory as you can, to and some have reason to believe may tional pledge to him. But I know this: spread its power in Iraq. be acting upon, their desire to attack I made a personal pledge to him. I am And then there is a third stage America here in our homeland. That is going to give him and the troops a fair Zawahiri says. the National Intelligence Estimate. chance, which this amendment would The third stage is to extend the jihad to It seems to me that it is perverse deprive him of, and I am going to give the secular countries neighboring Iraq. that on the same day we receive this him until September to come back and This is not me. This is not some ad- National Intelligence Estimate about tell me how it is going. ministration spokesperson, this is the threat posed by al-Qaida and about All of us would like to believe, I cer- Zawahiri, No. 2 in al-Qaida. its direct linkage to Iraq, Zawahiri to tainly would, that there is a quick and December of 2006, Zawahiri says: Zarqawi, bin Laden talking about the easy solution to the challenges we face The backing of the jihad in Afghanistan centrality of what is happening in Iraq, in Iraq. All of us, I certainly would, and Iraq today is to back the most impor- that the Senate would consider voting would like to go back and do over a lot tant battlefields in which the crusade for an amendment mandating our re- of what happened after Saddam Hus- against Islam is in progress, and the defeat treat in the face of al-Qaida from Iraq. sein was overthrown. All of us want our of the crusaders will have a far-reaching ef- I ask, why is this amendment before brave men and women in uniform to fect on the future of the Muslim Umah. us? One of the most commonly heard come home safely and as soon as pos- I could go on. I will read one final explanations for the amendment man- sible. All of us are keenly aware of the one. May 2007, 2 months ago, and this is dating the beginning of a withdrawal of frustration and fatigue the American Zawahiri again in a tape. American troops in 120 days, and most people are feeling about this war. But The critical importance of the jihad in Iraq of them out by next April, is that an we, who have been honored by our con- and Afghanistan becomes clear, because the American military retreat is nec- stituents to be elected to serve in the defeat of the crusaders there soon, Allah per- essary—and I quote here one of the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00067 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9360 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 sponsors of the amendment—‘‘to prod think that defeat in Iraq will have con- troop surge must be maintained the Iraqi Government to reach a polit- sequences for our future security, then through early next year in order to ical settlement.’’ I can understand that. But I, of course, achieve success. In his words: So we are going to force a retreat, profoundly disagree. It’s going to take us through the summer probably threaten the viability of the We face vicious enemies in Iraq and fall to deny the enemy his sanctuaries Iraqi Government, yield the country to today. We know who they are. They are and then it’s going to take us through the al-Qaida and Iranian-backed terrorists, al-Qaida and the Islamic Republic of first of the year into the spring to consoli- and we are doing it to send a message Iran. Al-Qaida is fighting in Iraq be- date these gains. to the Iraqi political leadership that cause they want to bring down the Incidentally, it may be that those they better get their act together. But Iraqi Government and they want to gains will be consolidated by next the argument that our forcing a re- stop any progress toward self-govern- spring, and we will be able to begin to treat of our military, our troops, will ment until a modern Iraq. They want draw down some of the American forces prod the Iraqi Government to reach a the state to fail so they can establish there. But do we have the confidence to political settlement is pure specula- what bin Laden, Zawahiri, and Zarqawi know that today, to mandate that to tion. It is amateur psychology without said clearly, a caliphate, an empire happen? I hope we are in a position— any evidence that I can see to support with the capital of the empire there. and I am sure General Petraeus does, it. In fact, the expert evidence goes in What about Iran? Iran is training, and I am sure the President does—to the other direction. From people who funding, and arming terrorists to kill begin to order that kind of beginning of follow what is happening in Iraq close- Americans in Iraq. This Senate spoke withdrawal because the surge has suc- ly, who say that as soon—and maybe unanimously against that, presenting ceeded, not order a withdrawal as an some of this is psychology, too, but to evidence of it last week, 97 to 0. Why alternative policy to the surge. me it seems more sensible than the does Iran do that? It wants America I return to General Lynch. He warned other argument—as soon as we begin to out of Iraq so it can dominate that that pulling back before the job was set a deadline date, the Iraqi political country and the region. completed would ‘‘create an environ- leadership is not going to suddenly These are enemies that cannot be ne- ment where the enemy would come come together and settle their dif- gotiated with or reasoned out of exist- back in and fill the void.’’ General ferences, they are going to hunker ence. I am all for diplomacy with Iran. Lynch also reported that he was down in camps and get ready for the I am glad our ambassador met with ‘‘amazed at the cooperation his troops battle of all battles, which will be a their ambassador in Baghdad in May, were encountering in previously hostile total civil war, huge ethnic slaughter I but ultimately negotiations that have areas.’’ In his words: fear, probably a kind of genocide. gone on with Iran, conducted by the When we go out there the first question the One of our military leaders in Iraq European Governments for more than 2 Iraqis ask us is, are you staying? And the when I was there 5 weeks ago said to years to try to convince them to stop second question is, how can we help? me: Senator, if your colleagues don’t the development of nuclear weapons, In other words, what General Lynch like what they see in Darfur today, and produced nothing but giving them 2 said is what they are worried about is they should not like it, they are going more years to go ahead with that de- our leaving. And our answer is: We are to hate what they see in Iraq if the velopment. These are not enemies who staying. And when we give that answer American military pulls out before the are interested in the political rec- they say: How can we help? Iraqis can maintain security. onciliation of which the sponsors of They want a better future than al- Here, too, we have a National Intel- this amendment speak. Qaida and Iran controlling their coun- ligence Estimate that directly rejects In other words, al-Qaida and Iran are try. General Lynch has given us a clear the contention that we need to force a not fighting in Iraq to encourage or and compelling explanation in the di- retreat of our troops, open the country bring about a political reconciliation. rect words of a soldier about the nature to a takeover by al-Qaida in Iraq, to These enemies must be confronted and of this war. In his view, the U.S. mili- convince the Iraqi Government to defeated through force of arms. That is tary needs the additional troops that reach a political settlement. precisely what our brave men and are now in theater to prevail, and they There was a recent National Intel- women in uniform are doing today are, as we speak, prevailing. In this re- ligence Estimate on Iraq. In it, the under this new counterinsurgency gard, the choice before this Senate is a conclusion was presented that the strategy, and they are succeeding. I direct one. Either General Lynch is rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops re- ask my colleagues in this Chamber fi- badly mistaken about the reality of quired by this amendment would, ‘‘al- nally to listen carefully to the words of this war or this amendment is badly most certainly have adverse effects on a great American soldier, Rick Lynch, mistaken about the reality of this war. national reconciliation’’ in Iraq. commander of the Third Infantry Divi- They cannot both be right. So rather than promoting political sion now serving in Iraq. His soldiers I go with General Lynch. He is on the progress, this amendment would have are, today, leading the fight south of ground. He has no motives other than the exact opposite effect than its spon- Baghdad. General Lynch reported just to do what is right for his country. He sors intend, and actually undermine it. this past weekend that his forces were has every motive to want to protect his I know that cots have been brought making significant gains in reclaiming troops. But he believes in our cause. in tonight to allow Senators to sleep areas that just a few weeks ago in We have a choice to make. We can ig- during parts of the night when they are Baghdad were terrorist safe havens. nore the recommendations of our gen- not required on the floor. I think, real- These are towns on the outskirts of eral in the field and withdraw in de- ly, what I hope this does is wake up the Baghdad where al-Qaida in Iraq had feat. We can rationalize our action Senators and wake up the American terrorized the local population into with reassuring but falsely hopeful people to the threat we face; to wake submission and then set up shop, as- words such as ‘‘redeployment,’’ but no them up to what our intelligence agen- sembling the car bombs that then were matter what we say our enemy will cies are saying about Iraq, to what the used to kill hundreds of innocent peo- know that America’s will has been bro- stakes for us are in Iraq, for what the ple earlier this year. That is the way to ken by the barbarity of their blood consequences are for us of a defeat in try to stop these suicidal maniacs from lust, the very barbarity we declare we Iraq, for the strength of the Petraeus blowing themselves up and killing a lot are fighting, but from which, if this counteroffensive surge and how much of Iraqis and Americans with them— amendment ever passed, we would ac- it is achieving. which is their attempt to respond to tually be running. It is time for all of us to wake up to our counteroffensive surge policy and There is, of course, no guarantee that what is actually happening in Iraq be- their attempt to do something else: to the path we are on will lead to success. fore it is too late. It is time to stop influence the American public opinion There never is in war. But what Gen- dreaming that a mandated withdrawal, to get out of Iraq. eral Petraeus is offering is a strong, or whatever you call it—a redeploy- General Lynch also stated that in his smart, and practical strategy, informed ment is really nothing other than a professional military judgment—this is by his experience and expertise, that mandated defeat. I suppose if you don’t a soldier, not a politician—the current carries a reasonable hope of victory

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9361 from whose jaws this amendment war. We immediately began to work tary into a war of choice on failed in- would snatch defeat. This amendment implementing the full recommenda- telligence and, as we know, without is a surrender to terrorism. It is a vic- tions of the 9/11 Commission in order to proper body armor. Adding insult to in- tory to al-Qaida and Iran. It is an invi- make us safer, recommendations that jury, literally just today, a USA Today tation to a disaster for Iraq, the Middle will go a long way toward making this article revealed that nearly 4 years East, and most directly the United country safer. By working to end the later our troops are still without the States of America. war in Iraq and by passing the Commis- lifesaving equipment they need. Iraq is not lost. It can be won, and if sion’s recommendation, we are exe- I remember before the attack, before it is won we will have secured a better, cuting a strategy to combat terrorism we invaded Iraq, I was a Member of the brighter future for the people of that and to make our country safer. House of Representatives. I voted country, the hope of greater stability Make no mistake, ending the war in against this war in October of 2002. We and opportunity and peace for the peo- Iraq itself is a counterterrorism strat- began questioning Paul Bremer during ple of the region, and the hope and egy. Global terrorist attacks have in- the beginning of 2003, before the at- promise of greater security for the creased sevenfold since we invaded tack. Mr. Bremer was the adminis- American people. Iraq is not lost. But Iraq—seven times, more than 700 per- trator in Iraq for the U.S. Government, if we adopt this amendment it will be; cent. Our continued engagement in the Provisional Government. We con- so, I fear, will so much of our hope for Iraq, frankly, is the best thing that tinued to focus on providing the kind democracy and stability in the Middle ever happened to jihadist recruitment. of body armor for our troops and Mr. East and for our own safety from ter- We know America is a less safe country Bremer said we are doing the best we rorism here at home. That is why I will because of the war in Iraq. We know can, but we have not done very well. vote against cloture and against the global terrorist attacks have increased We have a lot to do. We still attacked Levin-Reed amendment tomorrow sevenfold, seven times worldwide since that country, we still sent our troops morning. the war in Iraq began. into harm’s way without that body I yield the floor. Democrats brought to this Chamber armor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- not one piece of legislation to redeploy As we discuss this issue, tonight in ator from Ohio. our troops out of Iraq in the safest, Baghdad it is early morning. The fore- Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, the most orderly way possible, but many cast calls for a high of 104 degrees. American people’s opposition to this resolutions, many pieces of legislation. While our solders have some protection war is not the political passion of a Each and every time either Repub- from the extreme heat, like water, moment, as some have suggested. It is licans defeated the measure in Con- shade, and the mini air-conditioning a majority, a growing majority, a gress by threatening a filibuster or the units, they are not protected from a far thoughtful growing majority reflecting President vetoed it in the White deadlier force in Iraq, the improvised the will of the people of this country. House—each and every time. explosive devices or IED bombs. The We need 60 votes because of recal- This week we find ourselves at the USA Today article highlighted the lack citrance, because of political game same impasse, the same struggle in of planning to protect our soldiers playing, because too many of our col- this Chamber between a new direction riding in Humvees from the impact of leagues are more interested in pro- and more of the same failed policies. IED bombs. Humvees have a very low tecting the President than they are in Again, too many of my colleagues ground clearance, a little less than a protecting our troops. We know to get would rather protect the President of foot and a half. The bottom of a 60 votes we need 11 Republicans. the United States than protect our sol- humvee is flat so when it is hit by an Many Republicans, a growing number diers and marines in Iraq and Afghani- IED blast from the bottom, troops suf- of Republicans in this body, have spo- stan. More of the same means sup- fer the brunt of the explosion. ken out against this war. They have porting the President, but it means The Mine Resistant Ambush Pro- decided that we need to change course something very different to Ohio fami- tected Vehicle, or MRAP—the Mine Re- in Iraq. The problem is simply this. It lies. It means more loved ones wound- sistant Ambush Protected Vehicle, on seems like almost every Tuesday Vice ed, more loved ones killed. Mr. Presi- the other hand, has a 3-foot clearance, President CHENEY comes and speaks to dent, 156 people in my State have been and its body is V-shaped so when the the Republican lunch. The Republicans killed in Iraq, 156 people. More than explosion happens, the explosion, if you meeting in conference, having lunch, 1,100 Ohioans have been wounded. Ohio will, is dissipated and more often than Vice President CHENEY pulls up, his cannot afford more of the same. not the troops are not nearly as badly limousine drops him off at the door of Again, too many of my colleagues injured. The soldiers are much better the Senate, he comes in and speaks to care more about protecting the Presi- protected. them or other administration officials. dent than they do about protecting our The few MRAPS in theater have The arm twisting, the lobbying by the troops. Ohio families have had it with proven their effectiveness and clearly administration, is making it that much hollow promises by the President. saved lives and clearly saved many of harder to change direction in this war. From first declaring ‘‘mission accom- our soldiers and marines from injury. That is why it is so difficult to get to plished’’ in 2003 to his visit last week in What infuriates me and should infu- 60. That is why we want a vote, we my home State of Ohio, in Cleveland, riate everyone across this Nation is want an up-or-down vote, we want a the President used grand pronounce- that the Pentagon and the administra- majority vote, because a majority vote ments of success in an effort to buy tion, similarly to back in 2002 and 2003 reflects public sentiment, reflects what more time, stay the course and buy when they failed to work hard to pro- the voters said last fall, reflects the more time; continue our involvement vide the body armor to prepare for this policy that the Iraq Study Group has in this civil war and buy more time. war, the Pentagon and the administra- suggested, that the military has ad- Time and again those pronouncements tion again did not immediately work to vised the President, but the President were followed by increased violence fix the problem of the humvee’s suscep- simply dug in and did not listen. and expanding chaos in Iraq. Time and tibility to IEDs; the needless loss of Last November voters in my State of again those pronouncements mean life from this willful ignorance to cor- Ohio, from Galion to Gallipolis, and more names being added to the list of rect the glaring problem of the unpro- across this Nation shouted from the dead and wounded Americans. Mr. tected humvees could have been pre- ballot boxes that we needed a new di- President, 3,617 Americans have died in vented, but arrogance and stubborn- rection, that the Iraq war must end. the war in Iraq. At least 35,000 Ameri- ness from the administration kept the They demanded that we refocus our ef- cans have suffered serious injuries that administration from doing the right forts on securing our homeland so that will be with them and with us for 10, 20, thing. the darkest day in our Nation’s his- 30, 40, 50 years. The President, in some sense, is tory, 9/11, is never repeated. Every year I see Iraq slip further and proud of his stubbornness. Instead he With Democrats in control of Con- further into a civil war with our Na- should be ashamed of it. His stubborn- gress this session we immediately, in tion’s military caught in the middle. ness has led to a failed policy in Iraq January, began working to end the The President sent our Nation’s mili- and to a failed policy on the war on

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9362 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 terror. The President has yet to define Iraq, sevenfold since we invaded Iraq. facing our country. Unfortunately, the victory. He has yet to tell us how many Prior to World War II, the French built political debate in Washington has not years it will take to achieve whatever the Maginot Line. Same thought the been conducive to finding a solution, as his definition of victory is. Will we be line would prevent Germany from at- political divisions have hardened dur- in Iraq for 5 more years, 10 more years, tacking France. History proved the ing the past year. 15 years? Will hundreds more Ameri- French wrong. The President’s strat- Vitriolic rhetoric and veto threats do cans die? Will thousands more of our egy in Iraq is the Maginot Line of the not help us pursue a new direction. I service men and women die? Will tens 21st century. It imperils our Nation by believe the way forward must be a bi- of thousands die? mistakenly focusing our attention in partisan approach that puts the inter- The President has yet to hold himself the wrong direction. We have dropped ests of our country ahead of political and his administration accountable for the ball on capturing Osama bin Laden. gain. Our Nation needs to forge a new fomenting a civil war, in breeding more We have dropped the ball on securing bipartisan strategy that will redefine global terrorism. Remember, we have Afghanistan. We have dropped the ball the mission and set the stage for a sig- seen an increase in attacks of sevenfold on implementing the 9/11 Commission nificant but responsible withdrawal of since the time of the attack and the be- recommendations, and anyone who our troops over the next year. ginning of this war. thinks those are not signals that al- Fortunately, we do not have to The path he is wed to has simulta- Qaida is paying attention to is surely search far and wide to find this new neously increased the threat of ter- mistaken. policy. It is already mapped out for us rorism, reduced our nation’s capability Supporting the President’s policy does not in the unanimous recommendations of to protect against it, and made us less just fail to effectively target terrorism, it the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. This safe. That stubbornness is not leader- puts the bull’s-eye squarely on our Nation. group was chaired by former Secretary ship. That defensiveness is not leader- Ending the war in Iraq is not just about of State James Baker and former ship. That finger-pointing from the bringing our troops home. Ending the war in Democratic Congressman Lee Ham- White House, from some of my col- Iraq is not just about ensuring veterans get the health care and the benefits they have ilton. It has distinguished Americans leagues, is not leadership. And sup- been denied, and the Presiding Officer to- from both parties who worked hard to porting the President’s strategy in night has done perhaps more than anybody forge a unanimous, bipartisan con- Iraq, rather than supporting the troops in this institution about that. sensus on the road ahead in Iraq. because you support the President, is Ending the war is not just about a The Commission’s recommendations not leadership. new direction in our foreign policy. chart the path forward and remain as Blocking another vote to bring our Ending the war is not about returning viable today as when they were first re- troops home, and that is exactly what our focus to where it might be if our leased last December. The Iraq Study they are doing tonight by their par- Nation and our community, our fami- Group report lays out three core prin- tisan antics, by their petty political lies are to remain safe. Ending the war ciples. First, the report calls for a fun- games, blocking an up-or-down vote so is about reengaging full force on the damental change in the mission of our the American people’s will can be ex- war on terror to make us safer. military forces in Iraq, away from com- pressed, by blocking another vote to I applaud my Republican friends who bat operations, and instead limited to bring our troops home, is not leader- chose to stand up to the President. training and equipping the Iraq secu- ship. More and more of them have taken rity forces, conducting counterterror- Lives are at stake. Our homeland se- steps of bravery with every vote we ism operations against al-Qaida and curity is at stake. Global security is at bring to the floor. But it is not enough. other terrorist organizations, and se- stake. Last week, we learned that al- With every lost vote, we add more lines curing Iraq’s borders. Qaida is at pre-9/11 strength. That is to the list of men and women lost in The Iraq Study Group set a goal of frightening news. Of course, it is a Iraq. March 2008 for withdrawing those com- cause for outrage because it did not Every lost vote we add more names bat forces not needed for this newly de- have to be that way. We also learned to the list of wounded. With every lost fined mission and for force protection. last week that the border between Af- vote, we empower al-Qaida. We keep Shifting the mission of our troops ghanistan and Pakistan is fostering the hearing the same rhetoric: If we do not would require the Iraqi military and next generation of al-Qaida at an fight the terrorists in Iraq, we will police to take responsibility for secu- alarming rate. have to fight them here. Good line but rity for their country. It would allow What kind of signal exactly do the bad logic. The real truth is: If we do tens of thousands of our troops to start President and his supporters think we not fight the terrorists where they are coming home, and it would dem- send by failing to secure the region in cells around the world, in Afghani- onstrate our military commitment to where we know al-Qaida lives and stan, and where they really are, then Iraq is neither open-ended nor uncondi- trains and plans with—according to we will fight them here. tional. military analysts—relative freedom, In the Senate, those of us committed Second, the Iraq Study Group report the same region that served as the to ending the war of choice and secur- recommends that American support for breeding ground for global terrorism ing our Nation will keep fighting. I ap- the Iraqi Government should be condi- through al-Qaida before 9/11, the same preciate the leadership of so many of tioned on its leaders making progress region we now know that al-Qaida my colleagues who have shown coura- in meeting specific benchmarks, in- trained in before the deadliest attack geous leadership on this crisis of our cluding the political reforms necessary on our Nation’s soil, the same region generation. Our fight to end the war to quell sectarian violence. where Osama bin Laden, the master- and refocus our efforts has just begun. I last visited Iraq in December. After mind behind 9/11, not Iraq, Osama bin We want to vote, we want a majority I came home, I told my constituents I Laden, the same region where he is be- vote to reflect the growing, thoughtful had concluded a new direction in Iraq lieved to be hiding, free to plot the opposition to this war. A huge major- was needed and it would be a mistake next attack on our beloved homeland? ity of the American people are trying to send additional troops to Baghdad, Over the objection of military advis- to overcome the furious lobbying effort to place them in the midst of a sec- ers, the 9/11 Commission, and the voice of the President and the Vice Presi- tarian struggle. The solution was polit- of a nation, the President, again that dent. Our fight to end this war has just ical, not military. word ‘‘stubbornly,’’ insists on staying begun. We are going to change this pol- I told my constituents I thought we the course with the failed policy in icy. The safety of every American de- should be moving our troops out of Iraq. Staying the course with the pends upon it. Baghdad and instead concentrating President’s failed policy has not just I yield the floor. their effort in Anbar Province, where forced our Government to take our eye The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. the local population was starting to off the ball of terrorism, it has caused MURRAY). The Senator from Maine is support our efforts and joining in the us to drop it. recognized. fight against al-Qaida. In Anbar, the Again, global terrorist attacks have Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, the violence was not, in December and is increased seven times since we invaded war in Iraq is the greatest challenge not now, primarily sectarian, as it is in

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9363 Baghdad and the belt surrounding I think the Senator from Tennessee SALAZAR and Senator ALEXANDER, to Baghdad; instead, in Anbar Province put it well earlier this evening when he adopt the unanimous bipartisan rec- the fight is against al-Qaida. called for more flexibility on the Presi- ommendations of the Iraq Study The newly defined mission set forth dent’s part and more flexibility on the Group. Surely, if as diverse a group as by the Iraq Study Group in December part of the Democrats, particularly the James Baker, Lee Hamilton, Larry would call for us to concentrate our ef- leader of the Senate. Eagleburger, Vernon Jordan, Ed Meese, forts on counterterrorism operations, Having vote after vote, where we fail Sandra Day O’Connor, Leon Panetta, securing Iraq’s borders and training to get to the threshold of 60 votes or William Perry, Chuck Robb, and Alan the Iraqi security forces. We should not even 67 votes, if necessary, to override Simpson can come together in the in- be in the midst of what is indeed a civil the President’s veto is not getting us terest of this country, study our di- war in Baghdad. anywhere. We are not moving forward. lemma, study the war in Iraq, and Last week, the President released a We have got to put aside such a frac- produce a report unanimously, surely progress report, a report called for by tious political approach to such a grave we in the Senate ought to be able to legislation that I coauthored with Sen- crisis. put aside our partisan concerns, our ators JOHN WARNER and BEN NELSON. We need to work together in a bipar- political divisions, and act together in This report verified that the Iraqis tisan way. By adopting the Iraq Study the best interests of this country. have made, unfortunately, very little Group recommendations, the Senate I hope we will do so tomorrow. I also progress in achieving the most impor- can chart a new course and move past hope we might adopt the Nelson-Col- tant political benchmarks. This is at a politics. Despite the heroic efforts of lins amendment which would add a lit- time when the Iraqis have failed to our troops, who make us all so proud, tle more force to the recommendations adopt the essential reforms to dis- the war in Iraq has been characterized of the changed mission put forth by the tribute oil revenues more equitably, to by lost opportunity after lost oppor- Iraq Study Group. reverse debaathification, and to more tunity due to the misjudgments of this This is our opportunity. Let us not fully integrate the Sunni minority into administration. I hope the Senate will lose this opportunity to forge a new governmental power structures. not lose this opportunity to change di- path, a new strategy in Iraq. It has been our troops that have paid rection in a responsible bipartisan way. I thank the Chair. such a heavy price. In fact, American In addition to the Iraq Study Group The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. LIN- troops suffered more casualties during recommendation amendment, which I COLN). Under the previous order, the the past 3 months than at any time am proud to cosponsor, and I salute the Senator from New Jersey is recognized. Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I since this war has begun. Requiring the leadership of Senator SALAZAR and rise in strong support of the Levin- Iraqis to make more progress on the Senator ALEXANDER in bringing to- Reed amendment. That is the amend- political reforms that were part of the gether a new Gang of 14, to work on ment that, unlike the Iraq Study strategy, as the Baker-Hamilton Com- this proposal, there is also another bi- Group, has a date certain for changing mission recommended, is absolutely es- partisan approach that Senator BEN and transitioning our mission and sential, and it is in keeping with the NELSON and I have offered as an amend- bringing our troops home. Maybe if the Warner-Collins-Nelson benchmark lan- ment to this bill. Senate had listened to the Iraq Study Let me briefly explain our proposal guage incorporated into the funding Group last year when it presented its to our colleagues. Now, some of our bill. report and had adopted it and moved in Third, the Iraq Study Group urges colleagues are looking for a middle that direction, we would not be where our Government to launch a new diplo- ground. Again, in addition to the Iraq we are today. I personally believe it is matic offensive in the region. Both the Study Group amendment, Senator NEL- well past time to now suggest that it is international community and Iraq’s SON and I are proposing another at- appropriate to adopt their rec- neighbors are clearly not doing enough tempt to find a middle ground. Our pro- ommendations when what we need is a to foster its stability, and this must posal would require the President to date certain. change. Thus, the ISG recommenda- immediately transition to a new strat- We are here tonight to ask for a vote, tions recognize that the United States egy. This strategy is very similar to not just any vote. We are here to ask has placed too much emphasis on mili- the one laid out by the Iraq Study for a fundamental American principle: tary actions at the expense of diplo- Group. It would move us away from a majority vote for majority rule. Not macy. Fourteen of us, eight Democrats combat operations and instead focus a supermajority vote of 60 votes. A ma- and six Republicans, have joined to- our efforts on counterterrorism oper- jority vote for majority rule, the same gether to offer the Iraq Study Group’s ations, border security, and training of principle that has stood our country sound and well thought out unanimous Iraqi security forces. over the test of time, the same prin- recommendations as an amendment to But it requires, and here is how it ciple that average Americans fully un- the pending legislation, the Defense au- differs from the Salazar-Alexander ap- derstand, the same principle that thorization bill. proach, which I also support, it re- would reflect the reality of where the Our amendment lays the groundwork quires the President to immediately American public is as it relates to this for responsible, realistic redeployment begin transitioning to that new strat- critical issue. A majority vote for a of American combat troops and empha- egy. Not in 120 days, not next year, not majority rule. Not just any vote. sizes the need for more democracy. By after September, but immediately. We are here tonight because the adopting the Iraq Study Group rec- Then it sets a goal that the transition American people deserve an up-or-down ommendations, the Senate can finally period should be completed by the first vote on this important amendment chart a new course and move past poli- quarter of next year, by March 31, 2008. that will finally bring an end to this tics to address the most critical issue So it sets forth a mandatory require- mismanaged war. facing our country. ment for the President to immediately The war in Iraq, in my mind, is the I have to tell you I think the debate transition to a new strategy. I think most pressing issue of our day, and the tonight in many ways has been dis- this makes a lot of sense. There are so fact that the Republican leadership and heartening. To see signs put up on the many people in the Senate who support those who join them will not allow the Senate floor saying ‘‘Let us vote,’’ a new strategy. We ought to be able to Senate to have a straight up-or-down when our side has not blocked a vote get that done, and I respectfully sug- vote, a simple majority vote, speaks of on the cloture motion, we have offered gest to my colleagues that the Nelson- obstructionism and of hiding behind to do it at any point this evening. We Collins amendment would move us procedural roadblocks in order to avoid have offered to do it earlier today. We quickly, the most quickly toward that facing the American people who have have offered to do it tomorrow. It has new strategy. called for a change of course in Iraq. been disappointing to hear rhetoric I sincerely hope tomorrow we will see Those of us who voted against the that is clearly intended to score polit- the dawn of a new approach to our war, as I did in the first place, against ical points, as it is disappointing to strategy in Iraq. I hope very much that popular opinion of the time, have been hear the President be so inflexible in we will see a strong vote for the pro- vindicated by history. I say to my col- his approach. posal offered by 14 of us, led by Senator leagues, history will judge the votes we

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9364 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 cast tomorrow, and I believe those who our troops—we hear all the time about though previous efforts of the Senate vote against a simple majority rule and ‘‘support the troops.’’ Yet we had to have given him flexibility, he has out- changing the course will be judged have a supermajority vote to simply right rejected it and, so, yes, there harshly. permit the rotation of our troops to be must be a date certain, and the mes- The President has lost the support of able to have a year back at home for sage to the President by this body is if the American public and the con- every year they served abroad, a propo- you are not going to bring our troops fidence of the global community. The sition that even the Defense Depart- home, then we will. only support for his misguided policy ment has as its goal. No, we couldn’t I have heard many of my colleagues in Iraq is a minority, a minority, in the have a simple majority vote on that claim that what is happening now on Senate. That is why they are afraid of issue; we had to have a 60-vote thresh- the Senate floor is nothing more than a simple up-or-down vote on this issue old. Support the troops? political theater. The war in Iraq is the because given in this body a simple ma- The only way we could have done single greatest issue before the country jority vote proposition, a majority of that was with bipartisan support, and and before this Senate. How many the Senate would vote to transition us we didn’t get it. The only way we can lives, how much money, how much risk out of Iraq and bring our men and stop this war is with bipartisan sup- to our security by being bogged down women home. That is why they are port. But so long as we keep having in Iraq, when we have real challenges afraid of the vote that we ask for. these 60-vote thresholds, Democrats in the world such as Iran, when we Unfortunately, some—and I say have 51 votes in this body and that have a reconstituted al-Qaida in Af- ‘‘some’’ because I know some of our Re- leaves us 9 votes short. The American ghanistan, that is the real challenge. publican colleagues have joined us in people know that. That is why we want That is the real challenge, I say to my the past and will again—some of my a simple majority vote for majority friends. This is not about political the- Republican colleagues seem more in- rule. ater. If there is political theater here, terested in protecting the President Despite overwhelming public support, it is the sad, sad plot that the Repub- than doing right, in my mind, by our the public is way ahead of this institu- lican leadership has weaved in creating troops. To the Republican leadership tion, the American people are way this procedural hurdle to not permit a and those who support them, I say it is ahead of this institution, and growing simple majority vote for majority rule. time to stop filibustering and time to support from some of our Republican I heard my distinguished colleague start a vote, a simple majority vote for colleagues, which I respect—Democrats from Connecticut, for whom I have majority rule. do not have the 60 votes needed to stop enormous respect, lament the pro- Maybe if more of the sons and daugh- a filibuster in the Senate. ceedings as partisan. I have the deepest ters, husbands and wives, or sisters and I know that many more of our Re- respect for him, but I couldn’t more brothers of Members of the Senate publican colleagues have serious con- passionately disagree with him. This were in Iraq, some of my colleagues cerns about the war in Iraq. I have isn’t about partisanship. These are would not be so cavalier about filibus- been reading about it. I have been read- deeply held views of principle—prin- tering an up-or-down, simple majority ing in the local and national papers of ciple that moves us to take these ex- vote. If our loved ones were in Iraq, so many of our colleagues on the other traordinary measures so we can get a who among us would be content with side of the aisle saying: We have grave simple majority vote for majority rule. the counsels of patience and delay? reservations about where the President That is what we are simply seeking to- Who among us would be satisfied with is continuing to take us. We believe we night. another mission accomplished? Who have to have some type of change. I So to the Republican leadership and among us would be satisfied with ‘‘vic- urge them to listen to their inner those who support them, I say it is tory is around the next corner’’? Who voice. I urge them to find their moral time to stop filibustering and time to among us would be satisfied with compass. I urge them to back their permit a simple majority vote to allow benchmarks of which not one—not strong words with meaningful votes. us to change the course in Iraq. one—has been accomplished, and yet A vote for Levin-Reed, a simple up- Today we are living with the con- we somehow suggest that is progress or-down vote, is a vote to transition sequences of the administration’s years later? out of Iraq, a vote to change the failed policy, and only a minority of After 4 years of a failed policy, it is course, a vote to end the war. the Senate wants to stay that failed time to stop hiding behind procedural Robert Kennedy said about the war course. Over 3,600 troops have been hurdles and allow the Senate to cast a in Vietnam: definitive vote about our future course killed in Iraq since the beginning of Past error is no excuse for its own perpet- the war, including 87 servicemembers in Iraq. A majority vote for majority uation. Tragedy is a tool for the living to rule. gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live. with ties to my home State of New Jer- sey. April and May was the deadliest 2- The American people are waiting im- ‘‘Past error is no excuse for its own month period of the war for U.S. patiently for the Senate to heed their perpetuation.’’ troops, with 230 servicemembers killed. calls and face the facts on the ground. He went on to say: We have now spent over $450 billion It is time for a responsible change of All men make mistakes, but a good man— course in Iraq. And that is exactly on the war in Iraq, with a burn rate of And I would paraphrase in today’s $10 billion a month. Frankly, I never what the amendment on which we want terms, a good woman— a simple majority vote—let’s see how believed the administration’s esti- yields when [they] know [their] cost is mates that the so-called surge would people vote, a simple majority vote— wrong, and repairs the evil. The only sin— does. only cost $5.6 billion. We have been The Levin-Reed amendment says our The only sin— misled time and time again, and these forces should be out of Iraq by April 30 is pride. new numbers only prove once again we of next year, except those needed to This is not an issue where we can af- have been misled. protect U.S. personnel, to train Iraqi ford the sin of pride to deviate us, to Each day we read horrific stories security forces and for counterterror- take us into the appropriate course, to about the violence and tragedy on the ism activities. change the course in Iraq. streets of Iraq. This week officials re- Last week, the House of Representa- The lessons of history are poignant port that dozens of Shiites were mas- tives passed very similar legislation, and instructive about today’s quag- sacred by Sunni extremists during an sending a clear message that the time mire. Rather than hiding behind a overnight raid in Diyala Province. Yes- for change has come. The only obstacle shrinking minority and procedural pos- terday, suicide car bombs in Kirkuk left is for this body to act with a sim- turing, Republicans should listen to killed more than 80 people and injured ple majority vote. the American people and change the some 150 others. It was the deadliest Now the Senate, once again, faces a course of this failed war policy. They attack the city had seen since the be- critical vote on Iraq, and I point out, should stand with the American people ginning of the war. In fact, suicide at- as I did a few days ago when we de- and tell the President, even though we tacks have more than doubled across bated an amendment to take care of have given him opportunities, even Iraq from 26 in January to 58 in April.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY July 17, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S9365 In terms of reconstruction, measure- making progress. If we kept the goal- where the attacks of September 11 were ments we all previously swore our- posts where they were supposed to be, planned. selves to be listening to, oil production we would have an even greater rate of Now, nearly 6 years after those ter- in Iraq is still lower than it was before failure. rible attacks on the United States, the the war, and Baghdad is getting less So I don’t see any cause for optimism most recent National Intelligence Esti- than 6 hours of electricity a day, sig- for this failed strategy of escalation. mate tells us that al-Qaida is operating nificantly less than before the war. Frankly, I think the President’s com- where? In a safe zone along the Afghan- That is why we must proceed with a ments represent yet another example istan-Pakistan border. Let me repeat vote on the Levin-Reed amendment of the administration’s delusion and that. Al-Qaida is operating, according and bring an end to our military in- denial. to the National Intelligence Estimate, volvement in Iraq which has cost our For years, this administration has in a safe zone along the Afghanistan- country so dearly in human lives and refused to face the truth about Iraq. Pakistan border. national treasure. Let’s take a look at some of the bench- In fact, according to the New York Even all of the military personnel marks the Bush administration told us Times: tell us we cannot have a military vic- would be met. U.S. officials have warned publicly that a tory in Iraq. When I listen to General We were told by the end of 2006 that deal between the Pakistani government and Pace say we need the Iraqis to love a provincial election law would be ap- tribal leaders allowed al-Qaida to plot and their children more than they hate proved and new election laws would be train more freely in parts of western Paki- their neighbors, that is probably a pow- put in place. But that benchmark has stan for the last 10 months. erful truism, but it does not come not been met. It is clear that by shifting our efforts through the power of military might. We were told the Iraqis would ap- to Iraq, we have taken our eye off the That is about reconciliation, con- prove a law for debaathification. But original threat in Afghanistan. We can- fidence-building measures, revenue that benchmark has not been met. In not forget that our fight against ter- sharing, and participation of all Iraqi fact, the Iraqi Parliament is barely rorism started where it should have, in society in the Government. It does not functioning. It is stuck in gridlock. Afghanistan—an engagement that I come through the barrel of a gun to Even worse, one of the Bush adminis- supported—where it should have re- have the Iraqis love their children tration’s best Iraqi allies, Ahmed mained. But we have not yet been able more than they hate their enemies. Chalabi, has been leading the charge— to end the fight in Afghanistan. So to the Republican leadership and this is one of the administration’s best Now, as I listened to the debate here those who support them, it is time to allies who has been leading the today, some of our Republican col- stop filibustering and time to permit charge—to block the debaathification leagues are back to the same parroting us a simple majority vote for majority legislation. of the same old refrains—it won’t rule. We were told the Iraqis would create work—criticizing Democrats as being Let me take a minute to discuss the a law to help restrain sectarian mili- weak on defense. It is we who have con- administration’s recent report on tias. But that benchmark has not been sistently called for finishing the job we benchmarks in Iraq which President met. In fact, the Iraqi Government started in Afghanistan, and bringing Bush is using as a justification for the hasn’t disarmed the Shia militias, and Osama bin Laden and his followers to United States to stay in Iraq. the security situation on the ground justice, and as far as I am concerned, Just as some were misled into the continues to rage out of control. The to have him meet his maker. It was a war, I think this report is misleading. surge hasn’t staunched the violence, Democratic Senator who offered a I wish to make sure everyone under- and civilian casualties were actually higher ransom on Osama bin Laden’s stands exactly what it says because I higher in June than in February when head. It is Democrats, through the sup- have listened to the debate and, boy, the surge began. plemental appropriations bill, who has it been mischaracterized, as far as We were told that the Iraqis would funded the resources for those men and I am concerned. I am sure not inten- establish a law to regulate the oil in- women whom we supposedly are going tionally because people read the docu- dustry and share revenues in Iraqi soci- to stand by so that they would have ment different ways. Let me tell what ety. But that benchmark has not been the plated jackets that they needed, it clearly says to me. met. In fact, the oil law is stuck in par- and whom we sent into war without The report did not say that eight of liamentary gridlock, and it is unclear having the resources they needed, the the benchmarks had been met. Instead, whether it actually addresses even the vehicles to protect their lives as they the report said that satisfactory core issues. seek to pursue their mission, the op- progress, a very significant distinction, We were told that by March, this portunity to make sure that a grateful has been made on only 8 of 18 bench- past March, that the Iraqi Government nation says we are grateful not just on marks in Iraq, while the rest have not was supposed to hold a referendum on Memorial Day, marching in a parade, even seen—not even seen—satisfactory constitutional amendments necessary or on Veterans Day, going to an observ- progress. In simple terms, none of the for a government of national unity to ance, which we should, but in how we benchmarks were met. possibly exist. But that benchmark has treat those men and women in their in- Let’s make it clear: None of the not been met. In fact, 3 years after the juries, in their disabilities, and for benchmarks were met. And when this United States turned over power to the those who commit the ultimate sac- report came out, President Bush said: Iraqi Government, the Iraqis still don’t rifice, in how we take care of their sur- Those who believe that the battle in Iraq is have the constitution finished. vivors. That is what Democrats did lost will likely point to the unsatisfactory The Bush administration seems to when they achieved the majority in performance on some of the political bench- think that ‘‘satisfactory progress’’ has this institution. marks. Those of us who believe that the bat- been made on performing a constitu- So that old refrain, my friends, that tle in Iraq can and must be won see the satis- tional review committee. But in fact Democrats are weak on defense, that factory performance on several of the secu- this committee has had to keep extend- dog won’t hunt. rity benchmarks as a cause for optimism. ing deadlines to get their work done, I joined a rally earlier tonight out- I want to reiterate to the President and it is unclear whether they will side the Capitol with Iraqi war vet- the fact that none of the benchmarks even meet the next deadline at the end erans. In my mind, no one—no one—has were actually met. None. of this month. a greater right to question their Gov- Now, let me be clear. The absolute As I said before, it is time that the ernment and to say, as they did, that it best version of the story is that the administration and the President fi- is time to change the course in Iraq Iraqis made some progress on some of nally face the real facts. And the fact and bring their fellow soldiers home, the benchmarks. That is it. But the is, by invading Iraq, the President took and that is what they said tonight. fact is, zero out of 18 benchmarks were our focus away from the war in Af- They hold the high ground in any de- met, and this is after years, and this is ghanistan—the birthplace of the bate. after changing the goalposts so that we Taliban, the home to al-Qaida, the land Afghanistan was the right place to can continue to suggest that we are of Osama bin Laden, and the place pursue the national security of the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 22:09 Mar 13, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2007SENATE\S17JY7.REC S17JY7 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S9366 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 17, 2007 United States. It was in Afghanistan sequences of its ‘‘stay the course’’ men- reality in Iraq never collides with his that the murderers of September 11 tality. They took their eye off the ball fantasy of what is happening there. It were located. We had Osama bin Laden and created a quagmire in Iraq. is time for the President, and a minor- pinned down in the mountains of Tora We didn’t have al-Qaida in Iraq. We ity in the Senate who support him, to Bora. But instead of having a large now have elements of al-Qaida in Iraq, give the American people a chance for contingent of the best trained, most but we did not have al-Qaida in Iraq be- a majority vote, for a majority rule. equipped, most technologically ad- fore we invaded. Now we are paying the The American people have awoken way vanced military in the world go after price in the form of less security and a before the Senate, and they want the him, we outsourced the job to the war- beefed-up terrorist network. Maybe nightmare to end. The American people lords. We gave them money, and they Secretary Chertoff’s infamous gut feel- know it is time to responsibly with- put the money in their pockets and ing about an increased terror threat draw from Iraq. The House of Rep- they let bin Laden get away. was caused by knowing that Osama bin resentatives voted to do so, and it is Many of us have been horrified as we Laden and his terrorist allies are still time for the Senate to finally vote for have watched the resurgence of the out there plotting and planning thou- a responsible withdrawal from Iraq. Taliban, the new threats of al-Qaida in sands of miles away from Iraq—thou- And so we close again. It is time for Afghanistan, and the increasing poppy sands of miles away from Iraq. a simple majority vote for majority cultivation. A few years ago, I talked Madam President, let me conclude by rule. about the possibility of the saying that the President says that the Madam President, I yield the floor. Iraqitization of Afghanistan, and now only role for Congress is to provide a f we see some of those fears coming true. blank check for his failed war policy. Just last month, Afghan security He is so wrong. He is so wrong. Time to NOMINATIONS forces found a new type of sophisti- reread the Constitution. This body’s re- Executive nominations received by cated roadside bomb, one that is very sponsibility is not to blindly sign a the Senate July 17, 2007: similar to that being used in Iraq. Af- blank check to the President for a UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL ghans, and our troops in Afghanistan, failed policy. We have a responsibility DEVELOPMENT face the daily horror of roadside bombs to the American people as fiduciaries SEAN R. MULVANEY, OF ILLINOIS, TO BE AN ASSIST- targeting civilians or coalition forces. both in terms of national treasure and ANT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY The Taliban continues its battle to FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, VICE JOHN MAR- lives. Most importantly, we have a re- SHALL, RESIGNED. terrorize the Afghan people. As the sponsibility to the men and women in THE JUDICIARY New York Times article said last week: uniform to do the right thing and stand ROBERT J. CONRAD, JR., OF NORTH CAROLINA, TO BE Shootings, beheadings, burnings, and up to the President’s failed policy so UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE FOURTH CIR- bombings: These are the tools of intimida- that we may give them a mission wor- CUIT, VICE JAMES DIXON PHILLIPS, JR., RETIRED. tion used by the Taliban and others to shut CATHARINA HAYNES, OF TEXAS, TO BE UNITED STATES thy—worthy—of their sacrifice. We CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT, VICE HAROLD down hundreds of Afghanistan’s public R. DEMOSS, JR., RETIRED. schools. To take aim at education is to make should honor the troops who continue SHALOM D. STONE, OF NEW JERSEY, TO BE UNITED war on the government. to sacrifice and shed blood not by being STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT, VICE SAMUEL A. ALITO, JR., ELEVATED. Afghanistan now produces 92 percent silent, not by being hoarded like sheep, JOHN DANIEL TINDER, OF INDIANA, TO BE UNITED not by signing on to a blank check, and STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT, of the world’s poppy, and it has a VICE DANIEL A. MANION, RETIRING. record crop again this year. Again, ac- not by being complicit in the Presi- IN THE AIR FORCE cording to the New York Times: dent’s failed war. I have heard some of our colleagues THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT Not so long ago, we trumpeted Afghanistan IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TO THE GRADE INDI- as a success, a country freed from tyranny on the other side cry that we are fight- CATED UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTION 624: and al-Qaeda. But as the Taliban’s grip con- ing for freedom in Iraq, but here in To be major general America, here tonight, we have a tyr- tinues to tighten, threatening Afghanistan’s BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT R. ALLARDICE, 0000 future and the fight against terrorism, anny of a minority in the Senate who BRIGADIER GENERAL HERBERT J. CARLISLE, 0000 Americans and Afghans are frequently ask- want to use the procedures of the Sen- BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM A. CHAMBERS, 0000 BRIGADIER GENERAL KATHLEEN D. CLOSE, 0000 ing what went wrong. ate, in my mind in a way that is to- BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARLES R. DAVIS, 0000 My friends, what went wrong is that tally unacceptable, to thwart the will BRIGADIER GENERAL JACK B. EGGINTON, 0000 BRIGADIER GENERAL DAVID W. EIDSAUNE, 0000 instead of finishing the mission in Af- of the majority of the Senate, and, BRIGADIER GENERAL ALFRED K. FLOWERS, 0000 ghanistan, the President took us to more importantly, the majority of the BRIGADIER GENERAL MAURICE H. FORSYTH, 0000 BRIGADIER GENERAL MARKE F. GIBSON, 0000 Iraq. Of course, we remember all the American people. BRIGADIER GENERAL PATRICK D. GILLETT, JR., 0000 reasons why: weapons of mass destruc- We want a vote—not just any vote, a BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANK GORENC, 0000 BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES P. HUNT, 0000 tion, uranium from Niger—this in a simple majority vote for majority rule. BRIGADIER GENERAL LARRY D. JAMES, 0000 State of the Union speech before the The amendment before us reflects the BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM N. MCCASLAND, 0000 BRIGADIER GENERAL KAY C. MCCLAIN, 0000 entire Congress, none of it true. The reality on the ground and the will of BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT H. MCMAHON, 0000 battle in Afghanistan, the battle the American people. It changes the BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM J. REW, 0000 BRIGADIER GENERAL KIP L. SELF, 0000 against al-Qaida, the Taliban, against course in Iraq by setting a responsible BRIGADIER GENERAL LARRY O. SPENCER, 0000 terrorism is far from over. Yet the timetable for our troops to leave. How BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT P. STEEL, 0000 BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES A. WHITMORE, 0000 United States is still held hostage by many more lives—how many—I hope BRIGADIER GENERAL BOBBY J. WILKES, 0000 the President’s war in Iraq—a war that we all go home before tomorrow’s vote BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT M. WORLEY II, 0000 we were led into based on a false and say to ourselves, how many more IN THE ARMY premise, with false promises, with no lives, how many more tens of billions THE FOLLOWING NAMED OFFICERS FOR APPOINTMENT plan to win the peace and no plan to of dollars, how much more chaos? We TO THE GRADE INDICATED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL CORPS UNDER TITLE 10, U.S.C., SECTIONS 624 succeed. have heard about chaos. What will hap- AND 3064: The President is fond of evoking pen, how much more chaos can unfold To be major Franklin Roosevelt and our noble mis- than that which we see unfolding as we MAZEN ABBAS, 0000 sion in World War II when he talks have 160,000 troops there? MARIE ADAMS, 0000 about Iraq. But he must have forgotten SYED AHMED, 0000 Years from now, we will come to the EDGARDO ALICEA, 0000 that when Japan attacked Pearl Har- same conclusion. Or we can act with MUSTAFA M. ALIKHAN, 0000 bor, Roosevelt didn’t run off and invade SHANE ANDERSON, 0000 courage tomorrow in a vote, a simple TERRENCE M. ANDERSON, 0000 China. That would have made no sense. majority vote, and by doing so we will JARED M. ANDREWS, 0000 Just like our going to Iraq made no GREGORY K. APPLEGATE, 0000 be in a position to meet our national NORRIS A. BALDWIN, 0000 sense because we dropped the ball in security challenges and our national BRIAN R. BARHORST, 0000 Afghanistan. The failures in Iraq, cou- DINGANE BARUTI, 0000 interests. Our brave troops have an- ROGER BAUTISTA, 0000 pled with the reinvigoration of al- swered the call of duty. Let’s now an- RUSSELL BEAR, 0000 Qaida in Afghanistan, underscore the STEPHEN BECKWITH, 0000 swer the call to do what is right by JENNIFER L. BELL, 0000 fiasco of the Bush administration’s de- them. JESSICA L. BELL, 0000 cision to take its focus off Afghanistan, It is clear to me that the President CHAD L. BENDER, 0000 TRISHA K. BENDER, 0000 its disastrous war policy, and the con- continues to live in a world where the JASON W. BENNETT, 0000

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