June 16, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC -- Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) today supported an amendment offered by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) that would have required President Bush to submit to Congress a plan for success in Iraq and a withdrawal timetable. The Strategy for Success amendment was offered to amend to H.R. 2863, the Defense Appropriations Act FY 2006, and was defeated by a vote of 223 to 200.

"The American people deserve to know the President's plans for our troops," said Eshoo. "The Administration's post-war planning was non-existent and the President has yet to inform Congress of a withdrawal timetable."

The Strategy for Success amendment would have required the President to submit his detailed plan to Congress within 30 days. As required by the amendment, the requested plan would have included the criteria for assessing the capabilities of Iraqi security forces and milestones for achieving readiness; the estimated number of trained Iraqi personnel at the level determined appropriate; the number of U.S. and coalition advisors needed to support Iraqi security forces and associated ministries; and, the measures of political stability for Iraq, including all significant political milestones to be achieved.

America is paying heavily for this war. More than 1,700 American soldiers have been killed, more than 12,000 have been wounded, nearly $200 billion of U.S. taxpayers' dollars have been spent, and the nation's reputation has been greatly damaged in the eyes of the world. "The American people recognize the heavy price we're paying for this war and are questioning the strategy," said Eshoo.

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