Sylvester Turner: “I rise in support of our troops and in support of this defense authorization bill, but I urge my colleagues to be up…”

“I rise in support of our troops and in support of this defense authorization bill, but I urge my colleagues to be up front with the American people about the true cost of our operations in Iraq. The supplemental $25 billion included in this bill for operations is not enough. We all know that at the rate we are spending money in Iraq, this will only last a few more months. Democrats on the Committee on Armed Services unanimously supported a $67 billion authorization to ensure we can do what is necessary to provide stability in Iraq, and we have been denied the opportunity to have a vote on this issue on the floor by the Committee on Rules. To accomplish our goal in Iraq, we need additional troop strength; we must commit whatever is necessary to force protection; we need to increase recruiting and training for the Iraqi military and police forces; and, finally, we need a bold and urgent plan that gives the Iraqi people the opportunity to determine their own destiny. The President has correctly said we must keep this deadline. Deadlines are important motivators; they give purpose and direction and urgency to both planning and execution.”