Michele Bachmann - The War in Iraq
Last Updated: Jul 08, 2011
Summary
Congresswoman Bachmann came into office in 2007 and has not been vocal on Iraq. In February of 2007, Congresswoman Bachmann spoke against a resolution condemning the surge in Iraq by stating that Iraq was then the central front in the war on terror. She stated that victory in the war on terror should transcend politics. In May of that year, Congresswoman Bachmann called for a vote on funding for the war without attachments to deadlines by stating that the US must not, as a nation, be invested in defeat.
While in office, Congresswoman Bachmann has voted against resolutions attempting to establish time tables for withdrawal and against resolutions to withdraw the troops.
Floor Speech in Opposition to Surge Resolution
On February 15, 2007 Congresswoman Bachmann spoke on the House floor in opposition to the resolution condemning the surge in Iraq.
Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, the morning of September 11, 2001, I was a Minnesota State senator meeting with a group of local educators at a Perkins Restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota. Because you can't find a babysitter at 7 o'clock in the morning, I had my three daughters with me at the restaurant when I learned of the attacks. After that meeting, I dropped our girls off at school and then, together with millions of Americans, in horror I watched my television as the terror unfolded. Thousands of innocent Americans were targeted for death that morning by an evil regime of radical jihadists. Then came the challenge of explaining to our children the magnitude of the tragedy that had just befallen our Nation. As a mother, I can tell you it was one the most difficult conversations that I have ever had.
September 11 galvanized Americans. We knew without a doubt that we had an enemy, but America fought back, united. We were attacked on September 11, but the radical Islamic jihadists declared war on innocent Americans long before that morning and, chillingly, that war continues even today. Their brand of evil chooses to kill the greatest number of innocent civilians. They are a cruel enemy. They are unwavering in their resolve to seek the total annihilation of the United States of America and of our freedoms, and of our Western allies especially. They seek to destroy our friend, the State of Israel.
Today, Iraq is the central front in this war, and that is according to the radical Islamists themselves. Some in this Chamber may want to deny that fact. However, it is the jihadists who chose Iraq as the central front in the war on terror. It wasn't the United States. And we fight them on their turf. Al-Zawahiri has said many times that Iraq is one of the crucial fields in the Islamist war. The radical Islamists know that they cannot beat us with guns and with bullets alone. They can only beat us in one way, and that is if they crumple the resolve of America to fight and to win this war.
To American soldiers, I want to say to you specifically tonight, know that many of us here in the United States Congress support you and your mission. We pray for you. We love you. We appreciate you and your sacrifices on behalf of our freedoms. It is because of your bravery that we will defeat the radical jihadists. Surrender is not an option, not if our goal is the maintenance of freedom.
It is very telling, I think, that the resolution that we are debating this evening only states what those on the other side of the aisle oppose. After all these hours of debate, the American people have yet to hear a plan from the Democrats for victory in this war against terror.
I believe, and you, our troops, know that victory against the evil people who want to kill Americans transcends politics. Victory in this war means that no mother will have to explain to their children the death of thousands of innocent Americans.
American soldiers, please know that many of us in this Congress stand strong in our resolve to support you and our fight to preserve America's freedoms. On my watch, I pledge to you during this, my term in Congress, that I will stand for you, and I will vote to preserve America's freedom.
And I want to say to you this evening that it is American soldiers, Minnesotans, who are in the National Guard. It is members of the Minnesota National Guard who make up over 10 percent of this increase in troops. Minnesota is supplying over 10 percent of those troops.
I had the brigadier general of the Minnesota Guard in my office yesterday, and I asked him, What is the morale? What is the message that these troops want me to know? And he said, They want you to know that they stand ready to fight, and their morale is high.
I say thank you to the Minnesota National Guard. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your bravery. I will stand with you. Just as the Minnesotans who stood first in line in the battle to fight for our Union, it is Minnesota who is standing strong in this battle to fight. It is the battle of our time, the balance of our generation, and I stand with you.
Statement on Opposition to Surge Resolution
In February of 2007, Congresswoman Bachmann released a statement noting her opposition to a recent resolution that disapproved of the surge strategy proposed by President Bush.
Bachmann Opposes Resolution Sending Wrong Message to Our Troops and Enemies
Washington, Feb 16, 2007 -
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann released the following statement after opposing a non-biding resolution on the war in Iraq that would send a message of weakness to our enemies and disapproval to our troops in the field:
“As Americans we will never forget where we were on September 11, 2001. I was meeting with a group of local educators at a Perkins restaurant in Woodbury, Minnesota. I had my three daughters with me when we learned of the attacks. We hurried home and saw the terror unfold as thousands of our fellow countrymen had been killed by terrorists. My immediate concern was for my brother and sister in law who often worked on Wall Street. Then the challenge of explaining to young children the tragedy of what had happened to our nation was one of the most difficult conversations I have ever had.
“It is very telling that the resolution voted on today, only states what those on the other side of the aisle oppose. After all these many hours of debate, the American people have yet to hear a plan from the Democrats for victory in the war on terror.
“I believe, and our troops in the field know that victory in Iraq transcends politics. Victory in Iraq and in the war on terror will help so that no sister will have to worry about their brother being killed by terrorists. No mother will have to explain to their children the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. We must stand strong in our resolve to fight and win the war on terror.”
The non-binding resolution, which carries no legislative merit passed on a mostly party-line vote of 246-182.
A Clean Spending Bill
On May 2, 2007 Congresswoman Bachmann spoke on the House floor and asked the Congress to pass a "clean" spending bill for Iraq. The Democrats had previously attempted to pass a spending bill for Iraq attached to withdraw deadlines.
Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, last night the President did what he said he was going to do for weeks now. He vetoed the Democrat supplemental that was loaded with pork, tied the hands of our generals on the ground and provided the enemy with an ill-conceived exit strategy.
As the President said last night, Mr. Speaker, ``Congress passed a bill that substitutes the judgment of politicians for the judgment of our military commanders.'' I couldn't agree with him more, and that's why I opposed this supplemental, and that's exactly why he vetoed it.
We must not, as a nation, be invested in defeat. Again, I repeat, we must not, as a nation, be invested in defeat. Unilateral surrender may be the Democrats' plan, but it will not lead to a safer America.
Now that the veto has taken place, it is simply unacceptable for the Democrat leaders to delay any further the funding that our American troops deserve. Let's pass a clean Iraq supplemental.
Voting Record
Disapproval of the Surge Strategy
In February of 2007, the house passed a resolution disapproving of President Bush\'s recently announced surge strategy in Iraq. The vote on the bill was largely partisan, with a vast majority of Democrats supporting the legislation and thus disapproved of the surge. Although the resolution passed the house in roll call 99, it was not voted on in the Senate. Michele Bachmann voted against this resolution, and therefore supported the surge.
Michele Bachmann voted against this resolution, and therefore supported the surge.
Requirement for Iraq Redeployment Strategy
In October 2007, the House put forth yet another resolution to require that President Bush submit a strategy for redeployment from Iraq. The bill explicitly stated that it endorsed to specific action, but rather required that the Secretary of Defense submit a strategy to congress for the redeployment of troops from Iraq within 60 days of the resolution. Although the resolution passed the House with bipartisan support, it was not voted on in the Senate. Michele Bachmann voted to support the Requirement for Iraq Redeployment Strategy.
Michele Bachmann voted to support the Requirement for Iraq Redeployment Strategy.
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act
In July of 2007, the House again addressed the issue of redeploying troops from the Iraqi theatre. This bill had the same goal as other resolutions to redeploy troops, but lacked the removal of funding that enforced the resolution. Although a small number of members from both side crossed party lines, the resolution passed in roll call 624 among largely partisan lines. Michele Bachmann voted against the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act
The Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act was an attempt by House Democrats to bring the number of American military members in Iraq to a limited number by April 1, 2008. The measure passed the House in a 223-201 vote, but was never raised in the Senate. Michele Bachmann voted against the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.
Michele Bachmann voted against the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act.
Iraq Transition Act
The Iraq Transition Act was a bill to to require the Secretary of Defense to commence the reduction of the number of United States Armed Forces in Iraq to a limited presence by April 1, 2008, and for other purposes. The bill passed the House 221-196 but was never raised in the Senate. Michele Bachmann voted against this resolution to limit troops by April 1, 2008.
Michele Bachmann voted against this resolution to limit troops by April 1, 2008.
Troop Redeployment in 180 days
In May of 2007, the House attempted to pass a resolution to require that President Bush begin redeployment of troops from Iraq within 90 days and complete the withdrawal within 180 days. To enforce the resolution, language was added to restrict funding for any actions other than redeployment. Almost all Republicans opposed the resolution, and when a significant portion of Democrats joined the Republicans the resolution failed in roll call 330. Michele Bachmann voted against withdrawing troops in 180 days.
Michele Bachmann voted against withdrawing troops in 180 days.
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
Supporting the idea that coalition victory in Iraq is possible. - Cosponsor
Supports the idea that the war in Iraq is not lost. Recognizes that: (1) the overall progress being made on the ground in Iraq is undeniable; (2) much of this progress is due to the skill and valor of the American service member; and (3) the decision by the President and our military leadership to provide a surge of troops to implement a new counterinsurgency strategy was the correct course of action.
User Comments
