Ben Cardin: “I call upon the President of the United States to present a plan to Congress to start bringing our troops home from…”

“I call upon the President of the United States to present a plan to Congress to start bringing our troops home from Iraq. It has been almost 4 years since the President came to Congress and sought the use of force in Iraq. At that time, Mr. Speaker, I voted against giving the President the use of force. It was not a popular vote in my congressional district, but it was the right vote. I was proud of my vote 4 years ago, and I am proud of my vote today. {time} 1145 I have remained an outspoken critic of the President's policies in Iraq. There was no connection between Iraq and the attack on our country on September 11. There was no evidence of any weapons of mass destruction or nuclear weapons, and other weapons information was distorted. There was no direct threat against the United States. We have paid a heavy price for the war in Iraq. Over 2,400 soldiers have died, 18,000 have been injured, and we have spent $300 billion- plus of taxpayer money. Our international standing has suffered. In December 2004, I visited the troops in Iraq. I wanted to see firsthand what was happening in Baghdad. My experiences I will not soon forget. I thanked our soldiers for their service to our country. They deserve to come home to their families and a grateful Nation. A lot has changed in Iraq. It has been 3 years since the Saddam Hussein regime fell.…”