Pelosi: 'The War in Iraq Has Seriously Undermined Our Nation's Military Strength and Readiness'

'Today's testimony by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirms our warning that the war in Iraq has seriously undermined our nation's military strength and readiness, and therefore our national security.

'Admiral Michael Mullen's testimony before Congress today that our troops are 'significantly stressed' by operations in Iraq and Afghanistan underscores the national security threat posed by the President's failed Iraq policy.  Admiral Mullen's warning that 'the pace of ongoing operations has prevented our forces from fully training for the full spectrum of operations and impacts our ability to be ready to counter future threats' should make clear that the issue of military readiness is not an abstract concept, but a timely and critical threat to the safety of the American people.

'We need a New Direction in our Iraq policy, one that will bring our troops home honorably, safely, and soon.'