Earl Blumenauer: “by calling for a withdrawal date from Iraq, today the House is making a compromise that marks another stage in the…”

“by calling for a withdrawal date from Iraq, today the House is making a compromise that marks another stage in the unfortunate struggle with the President to end the war. Yet despite our hard work and the desire of the American people, this bill faces a veto from a President who is out of touch both with what the American people and the Iraqi people want: winding down the presence of American troops who are stuck in the midst of a civil war. This is not the precise legislation I would have written, but it is a fair compromise that reflects the mindset of Americans who voted for a new direction in Iraq. The U.S. spends $8 billion a month on the war, and Oregon has already lost 54 brave men and women in Iraq. I have opposed the war from the start, and this bill hastens the day when we bring the tragedy of the Iraq War to a close. I urge support for it.”