Congressman Al Green Supports Our Troops by Creating a New Direction for Iraq
(Washington, DC)--Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1591, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, which will provide our troops with the equipment they need, require Iraqis to take responsibility for their own country, help fight the war on terror, and establish a responsible strategy for the redeployment of U.S. troops. The bill also refocuses the war on terror against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and provides additional support for our veterans. Congressman Al Green (TX-09) voted in favor of passage; his remarks on the bill are below:
"We all appreciate the hard-work and dedication of the brave men and women of the United States Military, who put their lives on the line each day to make it possible for all of us to live a better life. The safety and well-being of these courageous soldiers who fight each day to defend the American dream is paramount. In addition to providing for our troops we must also support them by providing for those they leave behind.
"This bill provides better support for the health of our soldiers in the field including, $450 million for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Counseling, $450 million for Traumatic Brain Injury care and research, and $20 million to address the problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This bill supports our troops by providing them with more adequate resources, including $311 million for armored vehicles in Iraq to better ensure their safety and effectiveness. This bill will better provide for the health and well-being of our troops upon their return home, as well as better care for those that have fulfilled their years of service to our nation, by providing $100 million to allow the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with private mental healthcare providers to offer veterans, including Guard and Reserve members, quality and timely care.
"We must also support the American people; many of whom are the families, friends, and children of our brave Military men and women by providing better security and programs for them. This bill will better protect American families by increasing border and aviation security and ensure that all children have access to healthcare, providing that no child is left behind. Not only does this bill provide $30 million for K-12 education recruitment assistance and $30 million for higher education assistance; it also increases funding to the SCHIP program- assuring that all Americas children are healthy and ready to learn.
"No army can absolutely provide the Iraqi people with liberty and justice for all; the time has come for the Iraqi people to do this for themselves. We have helped the Iraqi people rid themselves of a tyrannical dictator, we have helped the Iraqi people establish a democratic constitution, and we have helped the Iraqi people rebuild their constabulary. The United States of America has extended a hand of friendship to the people of Iraq; we must now extend a lifeline and show them the light at the end of the tunnel. This bill would not be a cut and run solution, but a chance for the Iraqi people to increase their defenses, prepare their offenses, and learn to defend and protect this vital opportunity to have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. We have helped to give the Iraqi people this precious opportunity to establish freedom and democracy; we were the first to arrive and we will be the last to leave-- now it is time for the Iraqi people to defend their own democracy and I hope and I pray that they make the most of it."