WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the fifth anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq, Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Assistant to the Speaker of the House, issued the following statement:

“Five years ago today, President Bush led us into a war in Iraq that I believe lacked a valid rationale, broad international support and adequate planning for what lay ahead. The catastrophic consequences – in precious lives lost and resources squandered – will cost us for years to come.

“Nearly 4,000 American soldiers dead, tens of thousands wounded, hundreds of billions of dollars borrowed from future generations, a strained military, and diminished standing in the world is the price our nation has paid so far. And one must wonder if we are truly safer now than we were five years and one day ago.

“Our troops have performed exceptionally well under the most difficult of circumstances, putting their lives on the line regardless of the mission. They have done a superb job in providing security to many parts of Iraq. But it is not our military’s responsibility to save Iraq. Only the Iraqis can save Iraq.

“In 2002 I made the decision to cast my vote against authorizing this war. Today, I am reminded that it was the absolute right vote to cast, for this war continues to distract us from the real threats facing this nation, from terrorism, to the economy, to global climate change. The day that we end this war, bring our troops home, and dedicate ourselves to addressing our most pressing challenges, cannot come soon enough.”

• Click here to read Rep. Becerra’s full October 10, 2002, floor speech opposing the authorization for the use of military force against Iraq.
• Click here to view the video of that speech.
• Click here to visit Rep. Becerra’s Web page on the war in Iraq.