John Cornyn: “I am struck by the fact that during the course of this debate on the Levin-Reed amendment some Senators seem to take the…”

“I am struck by the fact that during the course of this debate on the Levin-Reed amendment some Senators seem to take the attitude that our presence in Iraq is merely optional, that we can choose to do whatever we want to do without regard to the consequences. I think of those consequences, as 94 Senators indicated yesterday by their vote on the sense-of-the-Senate amendment that said we would do no act that would make it more likely that Iraq would end up in a failed state because the danger that poses to our national security. I don't believe our presence in Iraq is merely optional. I do not agree with our colleagues who seem to say that, well, the only thing missing is enough pressure on the Iraqi political leadership to get their act together, and if they would do what the American Congress wants them to do on the timetable the American Congress thinks is appropriate, then we are going to pull the plug, we are going to leave Iraq, and leave Iraqis to themselves, as if the consequences of that action would be borne only by the Iraqis. In fact, I believe the consequences of that action would be disastrous to American national security, as well as to the region in the Middle East.”