Lynn C. Woolsey: “today the Associated Press reported that in the middle of the Iraq civil war, their parliament will be taking a 2-month…”

“today the Associated Press reported that in the middle of the Iraq civil war, their parliament will be taking a 2-month break starting in July. While our troops are dying, while they are being wounded, while they are trying to provide security to the Iraqi people, the Iraqi leadership is planning to take 2 months off. I hope that this does not mean that the Iraqis are giving up on providing a peaceful resolution to this conflict. If anything, the parliament should be rededicating themselves to providing security and hope to the Iraqi people, not taking a break, not letting any hope for a peaceful resolution slip through their fingers. Our best hope for peace in the region, actually, will have to come through hard work, through negotiations, through constant attention. Every day we turn a blind eye to the real situation on the ground in Iraq, more people die, more American troops, more Iraqi civilians die. I don't know about anyone else, but this is simply unacceptable to me. The American people have said again, and they have said again, that they want our troops out of Iraq. This administration must demand that the Iraqi leaders stay in town, stay at the table, and not go on vacation. After all, how can we stand down if the Iraqis aren't there to stand up? This is a very serious problem, Mr. Speaker.…”