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Security in America and Abroad
Congressman George Miller
Cost of the War in Iraq
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IRAQ FACT SHEETS
  • Iraq by the Numbers
  • Iraq Hearings in the 110th Congress
  • Troops Deployed as of April 30, 2007
  • Iraq War Casualties by State

    • Current U.S. strategy in Iraq is not working now and it will not ever work. We must change course, and there is a way to do that.

    While I voted for military action against the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan after 9/11, I opposed the invasion of Iraq because there was no evidence to support President Bush's claim that Saddam Hussein posed a threat to our country.

    My view at the time is supported today by the failure to find weapons of mass destruction or any link between Hussein and 9/11.

    Tragically, it is clear that there is no real plan for the war's successful end. Americans and Iraqis alike desperately need a strategy that will resolve the conflict, bring our troops home safely and quickly, and enable the United States to concentrate on real security threats. We cannot afford to simply "stay the course" of failure.

    Success in Iraq will require fewer, not more, U.S. troops. Iraqi al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab Zarqawi claims that the U.S. occupation rallies the Iraqi people to support the insurgency and that without public support his terrorists would be "crushed in the shadows."

    In addition, current U.S. strategy is a distraction from the larger war on terror, undermines military responses to other global hotspots, domestic threats and natural disasters, and undercuts military recruiting and re-enlistment.

    We cannot achieve a military solution in Iraq, and the U.S. military knows it. Military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Donald Alston, said the insurgency "is not going to be settled, the terrorists and the terrorism in Iraq is not going to be settled, through military options or military operations."

    All of this leads to the conclusion that the United States must restructure and redefine its role in Iraq now, moving away from the military-centric approach and toward a strategy that enhances political stability in Iraq and American security.

    The United States should take the following steps:

  • Immediately renounce any permanent designs on Iraq's territory or resources, and plans for long-term bases there.

  • Stop financing Iraqi political parties and candidates.

  • Over the next 12 months, shift active duty forces in Iraq away from combat and counterinsurgency operations and toward a training and stability force.

  • Shift several thousand U.S. combat troops from Iraq to Kuwait in the form of a rapid reaction force to help ensure regional stability, deter Iraq's neighbors from meddling in its affairs and to protect against any coups to destabilize Iraq's new government.

  • The remaining active duty forces should be redeployed out of Iraq to bolster the fight against terrorism elsewhere or be returned home. Iraqi security forces must stand up on their own but will only do so when American forces withdraw.

  • Return to the United States the approximately 46,000 Guard and Reserve forces in Iraq immediately following the December elections.

  • Increase aid for democracy assistance that allows independent political growth.

  • Shift development aid in Iraq away from large projects undertaken by foreign contractors, like Halliburton, and toward microdevelopment locally oriented projects run by Iraqis.

  • President Bush must diplomatically engage all of Iraq's neighbors immediately, including, and most especially, Iran. Without their help on issues like border security there will be no stable future for Iraq.

    The ill effects of having made the wrong decision to invade Iraq in the first place have been gravely compounded by poor planning and mismanagement since the invasion, resulting in a U.S. force viewed as an occupier -- not a liberator -- and a growing insurgency that threatens to drag the country from the ongoing low-level civil war into full-blown, countrywide, sectarian violence.

    The president's call to simply "stay the course" is a desperate plea, not a solution.

    Missteps have left us with few good options in Iraq. But, if we are to have any chance for success, and if we are to begin to limit American and Iraqi casualties, we must show the courage and wisdom to begin to change course now.

    Many of the points articulated in my plan have become part of the proposal outlined by my colleague and decorated war hero, Representative Jack Murtha. Despite Republican attempts to offer a confusing resolution meant to reduce support for the Murtha resolution and mislead the public on what my colleague was calling for; Democrats in Congress did not take the bait. Congressman Murtha’s courage in articulating the need to redeploy our forces in Iraq has marked a significant turning point in the debate over the war and the President’s lack of a coherent plan.

    Below you will find a variety of resources on this issue. As always, I appreciate knowing your views. Feel free to email me at george.miller@mail.house.gov.

    1. 7/18/07 -- Iraq
      Reid: Senate to Put Aside Efforts on Defense Authorization Bill

    2. 7/17/2007 -- Iraq
      Anderson Cooper 360

    3. 7/13/07 -- Iraq
      President Unbowed as Benchmarks Are Unmet
      House Votes to Begin Iraq Pullout This Year

    4. 7/12/2007 -- Iraq
      Statement on the House Floor

    5. 7/12/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Release
      Iraq: The "The Responsible Redeployment From Iraq Act"

    6. 7/12/07 -- Iraq
      CIA Said Instability Seemed 'Irreversible'

    7. 7/10/07 -- Iraq
      Democrats Seek GOP Support in Votes on Iraq War
      Deadlines for Troop Withdrawals To Be Considered

    8. 7/10/07 -- Iraq
      Bush Plans To Stress Next Phase In Iraq War
      GOP Dissent Spurs Change In Message but Not Course

    9. 6/27/07 -- Iraq
      Democrats Have Changed the Debate On Iraq

    10. 6/27/07 -- Iraq
      Senator Richard Lugar (R - Indiana), the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, speaks out against President Bush's policies on war in Iraq

    11. 5/25/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Release
      Miller Statement on Iraq War Funding

    12. 5/10/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Release
      Rep. Miller Votes to Curtail U.S. Military Involvement in Iraq

    13. 5/2/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Release
      Miller Votes to Override President's Veto of Iraq Accountability Act
      Bush Veto Denies Funding for Troops and Fails to Provide a Responsible End to the War

    14. 4/12/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Advisory
      Rep. Miller To Hold Press Availability On Veterans' Healthcare Following Private Meeting With Iraq Veterans

    15. 4/4/2007 -- Iraq
      Announcement
      What: How to Get Out of Iraq - A discussion with Congressman George Miller and Rabbi Michael Lerner
      Where: Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universal Church, Walnut Creek
      When: April 9, 2007 at 7:00 pm

    16. 3/21/2007 -- Iraq
      Fact Sheet
      Rep. Miller says Iraq Bill has Broad Support

    17. 3/17/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Release
      Statement by the Hon. George Miller (D-CA) on the 4th Anniversary of the Beginning of the War in Iraq

    18. 2/28/2007 -- Iran
      Press Release
      Rep. Miller Opposes Attack On Iran

    19. 2/16/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Release
      Rep. Miller Statement on Passage of House Iraq Resolution

    20. 1/9/2007 -- Iraq
      Press Release
      Rep. Miller Opposes Bush Troop Increase for Iraq War

    21. 12/6/2006 Press Release -- Iraq
      Iraq War: Comment by Representative George Miller on the Iraq Study Group Report to President Bush

    22. 11/27/2006 Press Release -- Iraq
      Miller Says Latest Reports 'Cry Out' For Phased Withdrawl of U.S. Troops from Iraq

    23. 11/8/2006 Press Release -- Secretary Rumsfeld
      Representative Miller Statement on Secretary Rumsfeld’s ‘Resignation’

    24. 10/24/2006 Press Release -- Iraq War
      Miller Calls on President Bush to Clarify Iraq Stance; New Rhetoric Leaves Soldiers At Risk, Americans In The Dark

    25. October 2006 Update -- Iraq War

    26. 10/23/2006 Press Release -- Iraq War
      Representative Miller Statement on Speaker Dennis Hastert's Comments Today and on His Failed Leadership

    27. 9/29/2006 Press Release -- Iraq War
      Representative Miller Says Lott Should Explain Disgraceful Comments on Iraq War; Also Says GOP Leaders Should Explain Why Iraq Wasn’t Discussed at Meeting

    28. 6/29/2006 Statement -- Republican War Against a Free Press
      Statement on the House Floor Regarding H.Res. 895; Condemning Disclosure of Classified Information

    29. 6/15/2006 Press Release -- Iraq War
      Congressman George Miller Addresses Iraq War; Miller says President’s “war of choice” was a “blunder of historic proportions” with enormous costs and it must be brought to an end as quickly as possible

    30. 5/11/2006 Press Release -- NSA Phone Tapping
      Representative Miller Reacts to the News that the NSA Has Been Keeping Records of Americans' Phone Calls

    31. 4/10/2006 Press Release -- Iraq
      Representative George Miller Calls on Republican Leaders in House and Senate to Convene Hearings on Bush/Cheney Leak of Iraq War Data

    32. 3/29/2006 Press Release -- Homeland Security
      Representative George Miller Joins Democratic Colleagues to Release "Real Security" Plan

    33. 3/29/2006 Democratic Record on Port Security (pdf file)

    34. 12/16/2005 Press Release -- Domestic Spying
      Miller Calls For Special Counsel Investigation of Alleged Domestic Spying by Bush Administration

    35. 12/14/2005 Press Release -- Patriot Act
      Miller Opposes Reauthorization of USA Patriot Act; “…bill fails to adequately protect America’s freedoms and liberties…”

    36. 11/9/2005 Press Release -- Subpoena Ahmad Chalabi
      Durbin, Miller Call on Intelligence Committees to Subpoena Chalabi

    37. 11/8/2005 Press Release -- Subpoena Ahmad Chalabi
      Ahmad Chalabi Deserves a Subpoena, Not a photo-op with Vice President Cheney

    38. 10/23/2005 Commentary - Iraq
      Representative Miller Guest Commentary in the Contra Costa Times -- Iraq's Future

    39. 8/11/2005 Press Release -- Iraq
      Representative Miller Urges President Bush to Meet With Gold Star Mom and Ensure Her Fair Treatment

    40. 5/26/2005 Press Release -- Afghanistan
      Representative Miller Seeks Vote to Compel Bush Administration to Turn Over Documents on Afghan Detainees' Deaths; No Senior Administration or Pentagon Official Has Been Held Accountable for ‘Homicides’ and Other Acts of Torture

    41. 5/25/2005 Dear Colleague Letter -- Afghanistan, Iraq
      Tell the Truth About Torture; Congressman Miller calls for inquiry in requesting information from the Secretary of Defense relating to the Department of Defense's knowledge and approval of the use of torture

    42. 5/11/2005 Press Release -- Iraq
      Lawmakers Intervene to Help Arrange Rumsfeld Meeting for Mothers of Sons Slain in Iraq

    43. 3/17/2005 Press Release -- Iraq
      Representative Miller to Tour Middle East, Iraq This Week

    44. 3/15/2005 Statement -- Iraq
      Statement by Representative Miller on the House Floor Regarding the Iraq War Supplemental Appropriations Bill

    45. 2/15/2005 Update -- Iraq (pdf file)
      Report on the cost of the war in Iraq, prepared by the House Budget Committee Democratic staff

    46. 12/9/2004 Press Release -- Iraq
      Rumsfeld Draws Rebuke Over Answers to Troops Concerned About Lack of Armor

    47. 9/9/2004 Statement -- Iraq and 9/11
      Statement by Representative Miller on the third anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 and House Resolution 757 expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on this anniversary

    48. 8/10/2004 Press Release -- 9/11 Commission
      Representative Miller Briefed by Co-Chairs of 9/11 Panel; Sponsors bill to apply recommendations

    49. 7/22/2004 Press Release -- 9/11 Commission
      Representative Miller Statement on Final Report of 9/11 Commission

    50. 7/14/2004 Report -- The Butler Inquiry
      The British intelligence review, conducted by Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler

    51. 7/7/2004 Report (pdf file) -- U.S. Intelligence Community's Prewar Intelligence Assessments on Iraq
      The Senate Intelligence Committee's final reportM

    52. 6/24/2004 Report -- Paying the Price: The Mounting Costs of the Iraq War
      A new report from the Institute for Policy Studies documents the costs of the Iraq war, from the rising loss of life to the economic burden

    53. 6/23/2004 Press Release -- House Passes Amendment To Answer Iraq/al-Qaeda Speculation
      After Vice President Cheney dismissed the independent 9-11 Commission's conclusion that Iraq was not linked to the attacks of September 11, the House called for a final audit of the evidence of any relationship between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda

    54. 5/6/2004 Press Release -- Defense Secretary Rumsfeld
      Representative Miller Calls for Resignation of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld

    55. 3/30/2004 Photo -- 9/11 Commission
      Representative Miller is interviewed by KTVU Channel 2 News regarding Condoleezza Rice's Testimony Before 9/11 Commission

    56. 3/29/2004 Press Release -- 9/11 Commission
      Representative Miller Urges Condoleezza Rice to Testify Before 9/11 Commission; Says the public and victims’ families ‘deserve no less’

    57. 3/17/2004 Statement -- Iraq War
      Statement by Congressman Miller on the House Floor on H. Res. 557, on the first Anniversary of the War on Iraq

    58. 3/17/2004 New Report from the House Government Reform Committee Documents Misleading Bush Administration Statements on Iraq
      A new report (pdf file) from the Committee on Government Reform's Special Investigations Division has identified 237 misleading statements about the threat posed by Iraq that were made by President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary Rumsfeld, Secretary Powell, and National Security Advisor Rice. Most of the statements in the report expressed certainty where none existed or failed to acknowledge the doubts of intelligence officials, while others were simply false. This report raises questions about the Bush administration's credibility on Iraq, especially as all of the statements catalogued here were misleading at the time, not simply with the benefit of hindsight.
      Adobe Acrobat Image: click here to download Reader plug-in to read pdf files

    59. 2/2/2004 Press Release -- Homeland Security
      Representative Miller Faults President's Budget for Inadequate Funding on Port Security

    60. 1/19/2004 Chart from the Washington Post -- Iraq
      The Bush administration told us that an immediate war in Iraq was necessary because Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and intended to produce more. Now, nearly ten months after the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the search for weapons has yielded little to nothing, and we are hearing reports that David Kay – the head of that search – is so frustrated he wants to return home. This Washington Post chart shows how the administration misused and distorted intelligence to make its case.

    61. 1/5/2004 Editorial from the Washington Post -- Iraq
      Foresight Was 20/20; Troubles in Iraq were accurately and publicly predicted

    62. 12/19/2003 Article from the Washington Times -- Iraq
      U.S. to put ex-weapons experts to work

    63. 12/18/2003 Press Release -- Troops in Iraq
      Representative Miller Donates ‘Hero Miles’ to Troops; Encourages others to donate unused miles

    64. 12/11/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
      Lawmakers Voice Concern on Failure to Control Iraqi Weapons Scientists; Members of Congress ask Rice about the absence of a plan to control scientists who could export their knowledge to other nations

    65. 12/9/2003 Article from the Fairfield/Suisun City Daily Republic -- Troops in Iraq
      Donation stations benefit military

    66. 12/2/2003 Article from the Wall Street Journal -- Troops in Iraq
      Army to Let Returning Troops Fall to Lowest Readiness Level

    67. 12/1/2003 Article from USA Today -- Reservists
      Army Reserve troops ordered back overseas

    68. 11/25/2003 Op-ed from the Contra Costa Times -- National Guard
      No weakened warriors

    69. 11/20/2003 Press Release -- Troops in Iraq
      House Democrats Push Pentagon to Provide Equipment For National Guard and Reserve Troops in Iraq

    70. 11/8/2003 Op-ed from the Contra Costa Times -- National Guard
      Give the National Guard and Reserve the support they need

    71. 10/27/2003 Press Release -- Homeland Security
      New Survey Shows Bush Administration Still Failing to Protect Ports; Survey Finds New Rules Not Enough

    72. 10/17/2003 Statement -- Iraq War Bill
      Statement from Congressman Miller on the $87 Billion Iraq War Funding Request

    73. 10/17/2003 Press Release -- Iraq War Bill
      Republicans Turn Down Tauscher-Miller Amendment to Protect National Guard and Reserves

    74. 10/15/2003 Press Release -- Iraq War Bill
      Miller to Vote "NO" on $87 Billion Iraq War Bill

    75. 9/24/2003 Press Release -- Civil Liberties
      Miller Urges Repeal of USA Patriot Act; Co-sponsors New Legislation To Repeal Act’s Controversial Provisions

    76. 9/23/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
      Statement by U.S. Representative George Miller (D-Martinez) on President Bush's speech before the United Nations

    77. 9/10/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
      Miller and Colleagues Urge President to Release to Congress Classified Report Critical of Iraq Handling; Joint Chiefs of Staff Reportedly Claim Administration Did Not Prepare for Post-War Conflict

    78. 9/5/2003 Press Release -- Homeland Security
      Statement by George Miller: Securing Our Nation's Ports Must be a Homeland Security Priority

    79. 8/28/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
      Miller Says No Increase in Iraq War Spending Without Agreement on Internationalization of Forces Through the United Nations

    80. 7/28/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
      Democratic Leaders Outline Plan to Secure Peace in Iraq

    81. 6/24/2003 Extension of Remarks -- Homeland Security
      Statement by George Miller on the House Floor; Increase Funding for Homeland Security

    National Security Agency Wiretapping and the Bush Administration
    (Click above to learn more)

    Links for additional information

    1. Center for American Progress

    2. U.S. Department of Transportation

    3. U.S. Department of Defense

    4. U.S. Department of Defense's Reserve Affairs Site

    5. Department of Homeland Security

    6. Government Reform Committee's site on business contracts in Iraq

    7. Government Reform Committee's site on Nuclear Evidence in Iraq

     

    • U.S. House of Representatives Seal
    Congressman George Miller
    2205 Rayburn House Office Building
    Washington, DC 20515
    (202) 225-2095
    George.Miller@mail.house.gov