U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd
May 1, 2007
U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd delivered the following speech
after President Bush announced his veto of legislation that
would fund the troops engaged in battle, provide quality
medical care for our military and our veterans, protect the
country against terrorist attack, and spur rebuilding efforts
in the Gulf Coast still devastated from Hurricane Katrina.
Senator Byrd blasted the President's decision to reject the
legislation.
Tthe legislation included a sensible plan to redeploy U.S.
forces in Iraq paired with progress made by the Iraqi government
in meeting diplomatic and security benchmarks. The legislation
would ensure adequate rest between tours of duty of both active
duty and Guard and Reserve forces, while also requiring that
their service in Iraq not be extended beyond a year for any
tour of duty.
The Senator's remarks are below.
Four years ago, I stood in this very spot and warned against
an ill-advised invasion of Iraq. Today, the situation in Iraq
has spiraled out of control into a bloody, deadly sectarian
civil war. Yet, the President and his team continue to hold
fast to their stay-the-course nonsense. While they do, thousands
of brave young Americans place their lives in jeopardy everyday.
That reality is one that this nation and the world did not
have to experience. It is a tragic reality brought on by a
war of choice and an occupation that has yielded neither stability
nor reconciliation.
Four years ago today, the President landed on the deck of
the U-S-S Abraham Lincoln to declare, "Mission Accomplished." Four
years ago. It feels like an age. For thousands of our soldiers
and their families, and likely for the Iraqi people, it feels
like a lifetime. How wrong the President was then, and how
wrong he continues to be today.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A foolish consistency is the
hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers
and divines." No matter how many times the President wishes
it were so, peace in Iraq will not be found at the barrel of
an American gun. No matter how hard the President hopes it
will happen, sectarian violence will not be quelled with U.S.
forces occupying the Iraqi nation. Cross your fingers. Pull
out your lucky rabbit’s foot. Even nail a horse shoe
over the Oval Office door. But, hoping for luck will never
change the deadly dynamic in Iraq.
Peace demands an Iraqi-led political solution to transcend
the ethnic and sectarian divisions that are splitting the country
apart -- a political effort which, to date, the Iraqi government
has been unable or unwilling to take on. Our legislation could
have spurred that progress, but President Bush has defiantly
said no. This White House clings to its "foolish consistency."
When he took office as President more than six years ago,
George W. Bush issued a call for renewed responsibility in
government. Where are the echoes of that call today? What is
responsible about clinging to this failed course in Iraq and
refusing to consider a new path? What is responsible about
the President continuing to foster and manipulate the fears
of the American people? Faced with the tragic consequences
of its misjudgments in Iraq, the Bush Administration is paralyzed,
unwilling to acknowledge, much less remedy, its catastrophic
blunders.
President Bush has gone as far as to say that the way out
of Iraq "will be decided by future presidents." What
an outrageous abdication of responsibility!
It is unacceptable to pass the buck to future leaders, while
our brave troops fight and die today in the cross hairs of
this Iraqi civil war. The time to begin rectifying this dreadful
blunder is now. Not in two years. Not with the next President.
But now!
With the supplemental bill, Congress responded to the calls
of the American people. We offered a new beginning in reconstruction
and stability for Iraq. Our proposal could have generated political
reconciliation and economic security in Iraq. Our bipartisan
plan shifted the responsibility for the Iraqi nation’s
long-term success to the Iraqi people themselves.
Put plainly, Congress offered a plan that could have meant
a brighter future for Iraq -- a future controlled by the Iraqi
people themselves, with continued support from the United States.
But the President has flatly rejected that plan. It is a sad
day for our nation and for the world.
Before the war began, I urged the President to think through
the consequences. There was no doubt as to the military outcome
of war between the United States and Iraq; our military might
was certainly unquestioned. But I was very concerned about
the repercussions that would follow this certain military victory.
Tragically, the repercussions I feared all have come to pass.
Oh, how I wish that I had been wrong.
Once again, I urge the President to think through the consequences
of his choices, the consequences of his rejection of this new
plan for Iraq, the consequences of clinging to false hopes.
For that is what this veto does. This veto endorses the falsehoods
that took us to war. It cements failed policies in place. This
veto ensures that hundreds, maybe thousands more, will die
in Iraq without any true plan for peace. It forces our military
to continue to pursue a mission impossible, creating democracy
at the point of a gun.
I am sorry that this day has come to pass. I am sorry that
the horrors of this deadly and mishandled occupation have become
the stuff of political gamesmanship. There is ample blame to
go around for that fact.
I have seen clashes between the Legislative and Executive
branches. I have seen Presidents make mistakes in the past.
Everyone makes mistakes. I certainly have. But I have never
seen such arrogance in a White House that seals its eyes and
ears, and blindly sends so many people to their doom. I pray
for our troops, for our President, for our country, and for
the people of Iraq.
President Bush has chosen to hold hostage $100 billion for
our troops to his failed policies. But his choice is not the
last word. Congress will get to work on a new version of the
supplemental appropriations conference report. We will not
delay. But we also will not stop our efforts to stand for what
is right and to craft policies that reflect the true strength
of America -- humility, modesty, honesty. We will continue
to press for a strong, intelligent foreign policy that does
not rely on military might alone. And we will not stop in our
efforts to bring peace to Iraq and our troops home from war.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
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