DeGette Reaffirms Commitment To Timelines And Benchmarks

WASHINGTON, DC – In advance of General David Petraeus' Iraq progress report expected September 15th, Chief Deputy Whip Diana DeGette (D-CO) today renewed her strong support for a new direction in Iraq, including troop withdrawal timelines and political benchmarks for a quick and responsible end to the war.

"While I am looking forward to hearing General Petraeus' testimony, two independent reports released this week demonstrate that the Iraqi Government has failed to make progress," said DeGette. "In light of these reports, I cannot support any plan that weakens our commitment to timelines and benchmarks intended to bring the war in Iraq to an end.

"The evidence is mounting that the Administration's escalation of troops in Iraq has failed. I strongly support timelines and benchmarks to bring our troops home and end this war quickly and responsibly."

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report found that the Iraqi Government has met only 3 of the 18 Congressionally mandated political and military benchmarks. Also this week, the Jones Report [Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq] concluded that the Iraqi Government is still far from being able to take over security responsibilities.

DeGette has consistently voted to end the war in Iraq beginning with her opposition to giving President Bush the original authorization to go to war in 2002.