Albio Sires: “this week the war in Iraq enters its fifth year. Today I doubt anyone in this Chamber will stand up and say that it has…”

“this week the war in Iraq enters its fifth year. Today I doubt anyone in this Chamber will stand up and say that it has gone as expected. Our troops have served this Nation admirably, but the Bush war cabinet failed to properly plan for a war in Iraq. As a result, even the Pentagon now admits what many of us have been saying for months: A civil war is being fought in Iraq. This week, we have an opportunity to send the President a message that this war is not going to go on indefinitely. Even in the face of increased violence in Iraq and the lack of real progress towards a political solution, congressional Republicans continue to pledge to stay the course. Madam Speaker, the days of rubber-stamping the President's requests are over. The American people want Iraq to take responsibility for its own nation. The only way that is going to happen is if the Iraqi Government knows we are not going to be there indefinitely.”