Cut off Funding

Dennis Kucinich:

. . . . Why are we keeping them in an impossible situation? Why are we stoking a civil war with our continued presence? We have to take a new direction in Iraq, and that direction is out.

Now, there are many plans out there. The people talking about phased redeployment, the president as the commander in chief ultimately has the authority to determine the placement of troops. Congress’ real authority, and Congress’ constitutional [mandate] as a co-equal branch of government, requires that it be heard from, and I believe that Congress must exercise its authority to protect the troops by bringing them home. And the only way we can do that effectively is to vote against supplemental appropriations—which has kept the war going, or to vote against appropriation bills which fund the war. That’s Congress’ ultimate power—the power of the purse.

If we truly care about our troops, we’ll get them out. It’s the phoniest argument to say that a cut-off of funds will leave troops stranded in the field. There’s always money in the pipeline to pay for an orderly withdrawal. But those who favor continuing the war or escalating the war are using the troops as a tool to further policies that are against the interests of the troops, against the interests of [the] American people, and against the interests of peace in the world.

....There are many world leaders who are aware of the failed policies of this administration. And even Tony Blair understands that a new direction must be taken if we’re to avoid another war. War with Iran is not inevitable. But we need to talk to the Iranian government, just as we need to open up discussions with the Syrian government. This is the time to do it. You know, There’s a new Congress. The American people voted for a new direction. Let’s take a new direction. Let’s try diplomacy.

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