Wayne Allard: “I rise to discuss the war in Iraq and specifically the legislation at hand which directs the President to transition the…”

“I rise to discuss the war in Iraq and specifically the legislation at hand which directs the President to transition the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq. The Senate has voted on this same issue on four separate occasions in this session alone. Not one of those times did the measure receive even one-third of the Senate's support. Nonetheless, here we are again debating the policies of the war. Let me be clear. There is certainly nothing wrong with openly debating those policies. It is our responsibility as Members of this body to discuss thoroughly what is arguably the most important and defining issue of our day. In fact, I find it highly curious there was an attempt to castigate those who voted for this debate and who wanted the full 30 hours to talk about this vital issue. Some in this body seem to have perhaps been a little too clever and tried to summon as much outrage against debating this matter as they were prepared to use in support of debate. I do question exactly what those in support of this bill hoped to realistically accomplish with this debate and this legislation before us given the gains that have been made through the surge strategy. Last May when the surge was being implemented, only 29 Senators voted for similar legislation. Undoubtedly, much has changed for the better since that point. Violence in Iraq is down 60 percent since the start of the surge and 80 percent in and around Iraq.”