Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today took to the Senate floor during debate on the Defense Authorization bill to again call for an end to the war in Iraq. Menendez, who voted against the war and has since voted for various measures to withdraw American troops from the region, again reiterated his stance and his indignation.
"I am outraged that four years after the start of an elective and unnecessary war which we were led into based on false premises and false promises, we have not yet ended this war," said Menendez. "I'm outraged that every delay in moving towards a transition out of Iraq and ending the war in Iraq means more American lives lost."
Menendez highlighted the Bush administration's failures and their unwillingness to institute firm benchmarks and consequences.
"The Bush administration always says that we're making progress on the ground, yet the facts contradict them. The truth is that we are being driven down a dead-end street by an administration without a roadmap for a lasting peace."
The Senator also addressed the frustrations of his constituents over the lack of progress in ending the war, and urged his colleagues to join together to transition troops out of Iraq.
"As I visit back in New Jersey I have so many of my constituents say to me, 'Why is it that you all in the Senate cannot just simply put an end and seek the transition to this war?' To do that, we truly need profiles in courage in the Senate. We need bipartisan support.
"I would challenge my Republican colleagues who now say that they are dismayed and have a different view from the President...it is time to back their words with meaningful votes here on the floor of the United States Senate. Now before we lose more lives and national treasure. Now is the time, not tomorrow. Now is the time, not next month. Now is the time, not next year."
To hear segments of the Senator's floor speech, visit: http://demradio.senate.gov/actualities/menendez/menendez070711.mp3
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