Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Iraqi Kurds have been willing partners with the United States since the beginning of the transition to democracy in Iraq in 2003. They personally endured the brutal persecution and murder, including the use of chemical weapons, that characterized the tyranny of Saddam Hussein's regime over Iraq. Their determination to prevent the recurrence of such persecution underlies their partnership with us in battling against terrorists, insurgents, and other militant extremists who seek to undermine the progress made in Iraq. They have committed themselves to a future within a Federal Republic of Iraq, a future of stability, of prosperity and democracy, of freedom and human rights. This is their vision, and this is our vision. Indeed, the future of United States cooperation with the Republic of Iraq in general, including the Kurdistan region, contains great opportunity for us. {time} 1515 As we responsibly redeploy from Iraq in accordance with our Status of Forces Agreement with the Republic of Iraq, we are continuing to normalize our bilateral relations at many different levels, as we should. One way to do so is to establish U.S. consulates in appropriate regions of Iraq, including in the Kurdistan region. Currently, United States citizens living in or visiting the Kurdistan Region of Iraq must travel 200 miles away to our embassy in Baghdad to receive consular services. Increased U.S.…”