Congressman George Miller -- Security in America and Abroad

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.

12/16/2005 Press Release -- Domestic Spying
Miller Calls For Special Counsel Investigation of Alleged Domestic Spying by Bush Administration
12/14/2005 Press Release -- Patriot Act
Miller Opposes Reauthorization of USA Patriot Act; “…bill fails to adequately protect America’s freedoms and liberties…”
11/9/2005 Press Release -- Subpoena Ahmad Chalabi
Durbin, Miller Call on Intelligence Committees to Subpoena Chalabi
11/8/2005 Press Release -- Subpoena Ahmad Chalabi
Ahmad Chalabi Deserves a Subpoena, Not a photo-op with Vice President Cheney
10/23/2005 Commentary - Iraq
Representative Miller Guest Commentary in the Contra Costa Times -- Iraq's Future
8/11/2005 Press Release -- Iraq
Representative Miller Urges President Bush to Meet With Gold Star Mom and Ensure Her Fair Treatment
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
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
5/11/2005 Press Release -- Iraq
Lawmakers Intervene to Help Arrange Rumsfeld Meeting for Mothers of Sons Slain in Iraq
3/17/2005 Press Release -- Iraq
Representative Miller to Tour Middle East, Iraq This Week
3/15/2005 Statement -- Iraq
Statement by Representative Miller on the House Floor Regarding the Iraq War Supplemental Appropriations Bill
2/15/2005 Update -- Iraq (pdf file)
Report on the cost of the war in Iraq, prepared by the House Budget Committee Democratic staff
12/9/2004 Press Release -- Iraq
Rumsfeld Draws Rebuke Over Answers to Troops Concerned About Lack of Armor
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
8/10/2004 Press Release -- 9/11 Commission
Representative Miller Briefed by Co-Chairs of 9/11 Panel; Sponsors bill to apply recommendations
7/22/2004 Press Release -- 9/11 Commission
Representative Miller Statement on Final Report of 9/11 Commission
7/14/2004 Report -- The Butler Inquiry
The British intelligence review, conducted by Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Butler
7/7/2004 Report (pdf file) -- U.S. Intelligence Community's Prewar Intelligence Assessments on Iraq
The Senate Intelligence Committee's final reportM
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
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
5/6/2004 Press Release -- Defense Secretary Rumsfeld
Representative Miller Calls for Resignation of Defense Secretary Rumsfeld
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
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’
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
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.
2/2/2004 Press Release -- Homeland Security
Representative Miller Faults President's Budget for Inadequate Funding on Port Security
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.
1/5/2004 Editorial from the Washington Post -- Iraq
Foresight Was 20/20; Troubles in Iraq were accurately and publicly predicted
12/19/2003 Article from the Washington Times -- Iraq
U.S. to put ex-weapons experts to work
12/18/2003 Press Release -- Troops in Iraq
Representative Miller Donates ‘Hero Miles’ to Troops; Encourages others to donate unused miles
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
12/9/2003 Article from the Fairfield/Suisun City Daily Republic -- Troops in Iraq
Donation stations benefit military
12/2/2003 Article from the Wall Street Journal -- Troops in Iraq
Army to Let Returning Troops Fall to Lowest Readiness Level
12/1/2003 Article from USA Today -- Reservists
Army Reserve troops ordered back overseas
11/25/2003 Op-ed from the Contra Costa Times -- National Guard
No weakened warriors
11/20/2003 Press Release -- Troops in Iraq
House Democrats Push Pentagon to Provide Equipment For National Guard and Reserve Troops in Iraq
11/8/2003 Op-ed from the Contra Costa Times -- National Guard
Give the National Guard and Reserve the support they need
10/27/2003 Press Release -- Homeland Security
New Survey Shows Bush Administration Still Failing to Protect Ports; Survey Finds New Rules Not Enough
10/17/2003 Statement -- Iraq War Bill
Statement from Congressman Miller on the $87 Billion Iraq War Funding Request
10/17/2003 Press Release -- Iraq War Bill
Republicans Turn Down Tauscher-Miller Amendment to Protect National Guard and Reserves
10/15/2003 Press Release -- Iraq War Bill
Miller to Vote "NO" on $87 Billion Iraq War Bill
9/24/2003 Press Release -- Civil Liberties
Miller Urges Repeal of USA Patriot Act; Co-sponsors New Legislation To Repeal Act’s Controversial Provisions
9/23/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
Statement by U.S. Representative George Miller (D-Martinez) on President Bush's speech before the United Nations
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
9/5/2003 Press Release -- Homeland Security
Statement by George Miller: Securing Our Nation's Ports Must be a Homeland Security Priority
8/28/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
Miller Says No Increase in Iraq War Spending Without Agreement on Internationalization of Forces Through the United Nations
7/28/2003 Press Release -- Iraq
Democratic Leaders Outline Plan to Secure Peace in Iraq
6/24/2003 Extension of Remarks -- Homeland Security
Statement by George Miller on the House Floor; Increase Funding for Homeland Security

Links for additional information

Congressman George Miller
2205 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2095
George.Miller@mail.house.gov