Over five years ago, President Bush led us into a war in Iraq without a valid rationale, broad international support, or adequate planning for what lay ahead. While our men and women in uniform perform bravely on the battlefield, they are being asked by this Administration to referee a civil war internal to Iraqi society. In 2002 Rep. Becerra cast his vote against authorizing this war, and continues to work toward ending our involvement there.

RESPONSIBLE REDEPLOYMENT ACT

On July 12, 2007 Rep. Becerra voted with a majority in the House to pass HR 2956, the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act, by a vote 223-201. The legislation, sponsored by Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, would begin the responsible redeployment of U.S. troops within 120 days and complete redeployment by April 1, 2008.  The President would have to report to Congress why troops should remain in Iraq for limited purposes such as to fight terrorism or to train Iraqi forces.

IRAQ ACCOUNTABILITY LEGISLATION

In a continued effort to bring our troops home, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1591, the "U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act" on March 23, 2007 by a vote of 218 to 212. Congressman Becerra voted for the bill. 

This important piece of legislation sets specific benchmarks and timelines that hold both the President and Iraqi government accountable for the conduct of the war and the transition to a self-sufficient, democratic Iraq. This bill also protects our troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan and the troops and veterans returning home. The legislation includes $1.7 billion in additional funding for veterans' health care, $2.5 billion for improving the readiness of our stateside troops and $1.4 billion more for military housing. Click here to read Congressman Becerra's floor statement in support of H.R. 1591.

Click here to read the April 20 letter sent to President Bush from House Democratic leaders on the Iraq supplemental.

On April 25, the House of Representetives agreed to the conference committee version of the Iraq supplemental bill by a vote of 218 to 208. Click here to read Rep. Becerra's prepared floor statement in support of the conference report.

On May 1, President Bush vetoed Congress' Iraq supplemental funding bill, citing its accountability provisions. Click here to read Rep. Becerra's denunciation of the President's veto.

On May 11, the House passed H.R. 2206, a revised version of the U.S. Troop readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 by a vote of 221 to 205; Rep. Becerra voted for the bill. Click here to read his statement in support of the legislation.