Cord Byrd: “a few weeks ago, Congress approved legislation that would have changed the course of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. I say…”

“a few weeks ago, Congress approved legislation that would have changed the course of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. I say occupation because, frankly, that is what this is. Our troops won the battle they were sent to fight. The dictator Saddam Hussein is deposed and executed. His rotten government is no more, replaced with a democratically elected Parliament, President, and Prime Minister. We all are cheered at the skill of our soldiers. But, sadly, this President has not done justice by our brave troops. The dreadful management of this occupation has resulted in chaos. Iraq is at war with itself and our troops are caught in the middle. That is why this Congress established a new direction for bringing our troops home from this misbegotten occupation. The bill the President vetoed would have refocused our military, not on the civil war in Iraq but, rather, on Osama bin Laden and his base of operations. It is time for the President to take off his blinders and uncover his ears. White House obstinacy cannot continue to drive our military plans in Iraq. With this supplemental funding legislation we begin to shift the responsibility for Iraq's future off the shoulders of our military, and onto the shoulders of the Iraqi Government and the Iraqi people. The White House wanted a blank check for the President's mangled occupation of Iraq. We are not going to sign on that dotted line--not now, not ever.”