Chris Dodd: “There is no other more important issue, I would posit, than the one which is the subject of this amendment: that is, the…”

“There is no other more important issue, I would posit, than the one which is the subject of this amendment: that is, the continued military involvement in Iraq and the important question of our increased safety and security, and the possibility of Iraq reaching some reconciliation with its political and religious leaders. Is there still a rationale for our continued presence there, as posited by those in favor of this policy? I would argue that there is not. This subject matter is about as critical as it gets for this body to debate. In fact, one may make the case that debating two hours on an amendment such as this is hardly adequate time when you consider what is at stake, not just in terms of contemporary issues, but the long-term security interests of our country. Those interests are going to be affected and, I would argue, adversely affected by a policy that raises serious questions.”