Sylvester Turner: “today Iraq remains the most important issue facing our Nation. The American people want congressional action in a…”

“today Iraq remains the most important issue facing our Nation. The American people want congressional action in a bipartisan fashion. The rhetoric of the last 6 months has left the American people saddened that the work on this House floor has been focused upon partisan division. The most important action this House of Representatives could take today is to support our troops by coming together in a bipartisan effort. I want to thank Chairman Skelton, and I also want to thank subcommittee Chairman Abercrombie for his leadership on H.R. 3087, which gives us an opportunity for a bipartisan step in the Iraq debate. I am a cosponsor of this bill, which was reported out of the Armed Services Committee by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 55-2. H.R. 3087, as amended, supports our troops, our national interests, and our counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda in Iraq. The bill requires our Department of Defense to undertake robust and comprehensive contingency planning for a redeployment of the Armed Forces from Iraq. The bill recognizes that the role and mission of our Armed Forces in Iraq will change and properly acknowledges that the Government of Iraq must be responsible for Iraq's future. As America's responsibilities shift, our focus must include planning to protect our vital national interests and our troops.”