Press Releases

"'Our soldiers have shown courage and valor in Iraq and they will continue to do the job as long as we ask them to. But after four years, how much more can we ask of our military? This war has weakened our military readiness, greatly increased the rolls of injured and disabled veterans and put our national security at risk."

"'As a global leader on combating climate change, Al Gore has been both an educator and an agitator - spurring so many to take real action. Today, he presented Congress with challenging and creative ideas, and made a compelling case for the urgency to act."

"With the war in Iraq now in its fifth year, the need for a strategy to bring the involvement of United States combat troops in the fighting to an end is all the more urgent. The plan approved last week by the House Appropriations Committee, which conditions U.S. support on the accomplishment of performance benchmarks by the Iraqi government and establishes a process for shifting the focus of the U.S. military mission from combat to training and redeploying our troops, in my judgment offers a better chance for success than the open-ended commitment favored by President Bush."

"'Despite President Bush's request that our assistance to Iraq continue to be given with 'no strings attached,' the United States cannot afford an open-ended commitment to a war without end. A means must be devised to end the U.S. combat role in Iraq and reduce our troop levels, so that we can begin to rebuild our military and reclaim our position of leadership in the world."

"'Today, as this war enters its fifth year, President Bush continues to ask for an open-ended commitment to this war by our brave troops and the American people. Democrats offer a new direction for Iraq: a plan to hold President Bush and the Iraqi government accountable, protect our troops, support our veterans' health care, and begin to responsibly redeploy our troops."

"'We offer a warm welcome to the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and to the political leaders from Northern Ireland who are with us today. We commend the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair for their ongoing efforts on behalf of peace in Northern Ireland. Their commitment to the peace process has strengthened the hopes of all who care deeply about Northern Ireland and who believe that the power should be shared by the parties in the new government and exercised for the lasting benefit of all the people of Northern Ireland."

"Washington, D.C. - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, President Pro Tempore of the Senate Robert Byrd, Chairman Carl Levin of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Chairman Charles Rangel of the House Ways and Means Committee announced today that the Congressional Gold Medal will be conferred upon the Tuskegee Airman in recognition of their heroism during World War II. The ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 29."

"'The Tuskegee Airmen performed heroically during World War II, serving with honor and distinction,' said Speaker Pelosi and Leader Reid. 'Their unwavering commitment to protect and serve their country even in the face of segregation and discrimination is an inspiration befitting the highest congressional honor.'"