April 26, 2007

            Last evening the House voted 218-208 in favor of the bill.  “This was a close vote that reflects the division in Congress and in the country over the war effort,” Hall noted.  “The President has vowed to veto the bill, and when he does, we need to work together to craft responsible legislation that adequately funds our troops.”

            “All Americans want to see an end to the war in Iraq – but this bill undermines our generals, puts our troops at risk, and compromises our progress in the overall war on terror,” Hall said.  “Yesterday I attended a special briefing by General Petraeus, who spoke to Members about the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain – and he urged Congress to be patient with the strategy of building up troops.  I think we need to give this plan some time to work – and monitor it closely – but not pull the plug prematurely and leave our troops in the same tragic disarray our Nation left those brave men and women still in the trenches during the Vietnam War.”

            “Our troops need to know that our Nation supports them and honors their sacrifice – and that our leaders are doing all within their power to bring an honorable conclusion to the war,” Hall added.