Take the next step to end the Iraq war

Dear Alfons,

Last November, the American people spoke loudly and clearly at
the polls, demanding an end to our engagement in Iraq. In recent
months, as the violence in Iraq has continued unabated, that
public outcry has only increased. Unfortunately, President Bush
has already announced that he will veto the emergency spending
supplemental for Iraq that recently passed the Senate --
legislation that includes a withdrawal deadline of March 2008.

While it is critically important that we give our men and women
in uniform the tools and resources they need for their
day-to-day operations, it is also vital that we set a firm
withdrawal deadline. We can't give President Bush another blank
check to continue this war without end. It's time for
accountability and a safe and responsible end to the war so the
Iraqi people can assume responsibility for their own country.

The war plans that have gotten us into the middle of this civil
war were not written by our soldiers. They were written by the
White House. It's time to start taking our troops out of this
mess.

That is why I am proud to sign on as a co-sponsor of legislation
my Senate colleagues Russ Feingold and Harry Reid introduced
this week that would end the current military mission in Iraq
and begin the redeployment of U.S. forces. I hope that you will
join me in co-sponsoring Senator Feingold's important
legislation at his website now:

http://ga3.org/ct/s1MaqfM1JXQ7/iraq_deadline

The Feingold/Reid/Leahy bill requires President Bush to begin to
safely redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq 120 days from enactment.
Our legislation ends funding for the war on March 31st, 2008,
and after that date the President can only spend money in Iraq
for three very limited functions: training Iraqi troops,
targeted operations against al Qaeda and other international
terrorist organizations, and defending U.S. personnel and
infrastructure. Most importantly, this bill provides funding and
support for our troops in the field, while denying funds for
continuing the war in Iraq.

Since the Democratic Congressional majorities were sworn in last
January, we have consistently charted a way to end our
involvement in this Iraqi civil war. The American people want a
way out of this foreign policy disaster, and I hope that the
President will reconsider his recent threat to veto the
supplemental spending bill.

However, if President Bush does veto the supplemental, we are
ready to express the will of the American people in setting a
firm deadline for withdrawing our combat troops from Iraq. To do
that, we need to show the depth of public support for a
withdrawal deadline -- and that is why I hope you will join me
in supporting the Feingold/Reid/Leahy bill now:

http://ga3.org/ct/s1MaqfM1JXQ7/iraq_deadline

For far too long, President Bush and his Administration have
been given a blank check to pursue a failed strategy in Iraq.
But those days are over. Congress will no longer simply trust
that the Administration's policy will lead to a successful
conclusion of our engagement in Iraq.

If President Bush insists on vetoing the emergency supplemental
which sets a firm withdrawal deadline and gives the troops the
resources they need for their ongoing operations, then -- with
your support -- we will exercise the power of the purse and take
the next step in ending the War in Iraq by sending the
Feingold/Reid/Leahy bill to the President's desk.

That's why I'm asking for your help today.

Please sign on as a citizen co-sponsor of the
Feingold/Reid/Leahy bill at Senator Feingold's website now!

http://ga3.org/ct/s1MaqfM1JXQ7/iraq_deadline

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator

P.S. After you've signed on as a citizen co-sponsor of the
Feingold/Reid/Leahy bill
(http://ga3.org/ct/s1MaqfM1JXQ7/iraq_deadline ), I hope you'll
take a minute to visit my new website, www.LeahyForVermont.com .
Through my new site, we'll keep you updated on legislation I'm
fighting for in the United States Senate. We'll also invite your
help to advance our Democratic agenda in Congress by
participating in online action alerts and advocacy campaigns. So
stay tuned for much more from www.LeahyForVermont.com in the
weeks and months ahead. But for now, please support the
Feingold/Reid/Leahy legislation today!

http://ga3.org/ct/s1MaqfM1JXQ7/iraq_deadline

Visit www.LeahyForVermont.com

****************************
Paid for by Leahy for U.S. Senator Committee, Inc.
PO Box 1042
Montpelier, VT 05601
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