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CONGRESSMAN JOHN B. LARSON INTRODUCES IRAQ BILL

March 1, 2007
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:March 1, 2007

CONGRESSMAN JOHN B. LARSON INTRODUCES IRAQ BILL
Bill would repeal Congress? authorization to use force and reverse Bush doctrine of unilateralism

WASHINTON, DC- Today in an effort to reverse President Bush?s doctrine of preemption and unilateralism, Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced a bill to repeal the use of force given to President Bush by Congress in 2002. The bill calls for a new vote on the war on Iraq based on the current situation, and outlines a different foreign policy approach toward the Middle East that re-emphasizes the United States? long held priorities of diplomacy, deterrence, and containment.

?President Bush?s irresponsible doctrine of preemption and unilateralism was the vehicle that got us into this war. It has been the vehicle that has risked the lives of thousands of our men and women in a civil war that grows bloodier by the day,? said Congressman Larson. ?Meanwhile, the war in Afghanistan has become the forgotten war and terrorist organizations continue to regroup and attack. It is time to put this reckless doctrine to bed, reestablish responsible diplomacy and refocus our energy and resources on Afghanistan.?

The bill, which is binding, would repeal the authorization for use of military force against Iraq resolution from 2002. It also outlines ways in which the Bush doctrine of unilateralism and preemption have ignored the precedence of past foreign policy and diplomacy; a policy that has exacerbated the situation in Iraq and has forced us to neglect the situation in Afghanistan. It provides for a sense of Congress asking for a new vote on the war in Iraq based on the current situation, calls for abandonment of the Bush doctrine of preemption and unilateralism, while realigning U.S. foreign policy by enhancing diplomatic relations in the region and redirecting critical support to Afghanistan enabling more aggressive pursuit of Osama Bin Laden and other terrorist organizations.


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Issues:Defense