Government

Cornyn statement on Senate’s rejection of Democrats’ Iraq Resolution

Senate Votes to Protect Troop Funds & Against Withdrawal Deadline to Embolden Terrorists

From the Office of Senator John Cornyn

March 22, 2007

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement regarding the votes by the Senate March 15 on several Iraq-related resolutions. That afternoon the Senate rejected a resolution offered by Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to set a firm deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, while passing a resolution offered by Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), which states that Congress should not eliminate or reduce funds for troops in the field.

“The Democrats’ proposal to set a firm date for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, regardless of the conditions on the ground, would do nothing but tell our enemies precisely how much longer they need to hold out. There are between 5,000 and 6,000 al-Qaeda fighters in al-Anbar province alone. If we were to withdraw, it would leave a power vacuum in the region for terrorism to flourish and for al-Qaeda to plot, plan and recruit just as they did in Afghanistan before 9/11. The so-called ‘phased redeployment’ is Washington-speak for getting out of town as fast as you can. Congress must provide the funds for our soldiers to complete their mission, not provide political statements to undermine that mission and embolden our enemies."

Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship subcommittee and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland subcommittee.