Doris Matsui: “Mr. Speaker, this debate is long overdue. There is no issue more serious or more urgent. The American people said loud…”

“Mr. Speaker, this debate is long overdue. There is no issue more serious or more urgent. The American people said loud and clear in the last election that they consider bringing this war to a close to be the singular imperative of their leaders. Yet rather than beginning to bring the troops home, the President has proposed escalating this conflict. The American people deserve to know where their elected representatives stand on this, the most critical issue at this moment in history. This week the people will get their answer. Mr. Speaker, here is where I stand: I opposed this war from the beginning, and I support several responsible proposals to bring this war to a close. I believe the President's proposed escalation would be a tragic mistake. It will most likely result in an increase in violence while only postponing the hard political choices the Iraqi people must make. It will also increase the strain on a military that is already stretched to the breaking point. Mr. Speaker, it is critically important to make clear that Iraq has spiraled into civil war because of the failure of this country's political leadership, not our troops. Our brave men and women in uniform have done everything that has been asked of them. The real tragedy is how ill served they have been by their political leadership.”