Peter Welch: “Today we begin debate on the question of whether to escalate the war in Iraq. The administration's policy on Iraq has…”

“Today we begin debate on the question of whether to escalate the war in Iraq. The administration's policy on Iraq has failed. It failed yesterday, it is failing today, and it will fail tomorrow. These failures have left America weakened, not strengthened. Today, we must chart a new course. We must end the war in Iraq. Each one of us is immeasurably proud of the service of our troops. They answered the call to duty, and they have done their job. I am particularly proud of our Vermont troops and our families. No State has sacrificed more per capita in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan than our State of Vermont. But while our men and women in uniform have done their jobs, the President's policies have failed this country and failed our troops, demonstrably and repeatedly. Mr. Speaker, it is now our responsibility to chart a new direction; one that brings our troops home, restores diplomacy to foreign policy and improves the readiness of our military. And we start today. No more troops, no more phony intelligence, no more blank checks. We must end this war. Top military commanders have made it clear that no amount of American military force can take the place of the political consensus required to end Iraq's civil war. We now face two questions: What is best for America and what is best for Iraq? And the answer to both questions is to end this war. This resolution, Mr. Speaker, is just a beginning. The President has left us no choice.”