Mr. Speaker,I rise today to support the resolution.

There are those who are defending the President's failed strategy in Iraq by attacking the president's critics. They ask, 'What message would America send to its troops in combat if Congress votes to repudiate the President's plan."

What message indeed.

Mr. Speaker, the question really is what message did Congress send to our troops from the very beginning of this miserable war.

What message did Congress send when it allowed the president to go to war without enough troops to secure the peace?

What message did Congress send when it allowed our troops to go into combat without the proper vehicle armor?

What message did Congress send when it allowed our troops to go into combat without proper protective body armor?

What message did Congress send when it allowed the President to continue a failed course in Iraq with no adjustments in strategy?

What message did Congress send when it allowed the President to effectively draft American volunteers, by continuing their tours of duty over and over again?

What message did the last Congress send to our troops indeed.

But there is a new Congress now. And there is a new message to our troops.

By raising objections to the President's failed strategy and by demanding a new course in Iraq and the immediate redeployment of our forces, we will send a new and clear message to our troops.

Our message to America's forces in combat is that we will not let you fight and die forever in Iraq with no plan to get you out.

Our message is that we will insist that the Iraqis take responsibility for their country and that soon American forces will be brought home or redeployed to fight the real war on terrorism.

Or message is that American forces will not be used to fight Iraq's civil war.

My message to the President’s few remaining supporters in the House and Senate is - do not exploit our brave troops in combat in a desperate and vain effort to bolster a weak president…

Do not use our brave men and women serving in Iraq to cling to a misguided policy that is dangerous for America's interests and its troops as well.

Join us in demanding a new strategy to get America out of Iraq's civil war, to get Iraq to take responsibility for its own future, and to use our troops for the proper mission: to defend America.