Congressman Hodes Delivers Democratic Radio Address

CONCORD, NH-Congressman Paul Hodes (NH-2), President of the Democratic freshmen class, delivered the Democratic Response to this week's Presidential Address today. It has been almost ten years since a New Hampshire Congressman has delivered the official response to the President.

The address focused on yesterday's passage of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act- landmark legislation that sets a deadline for ending U.S. involvement in the religious civil war in Iraq. Hodes has consistently and forcefully argued that it is in America's national interest to pursue a responsible exit strategy from Iraq. He serves on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which has conducted hearings on the conduct of the American war and occupation of Iraq, and is the President of the Democratic Class of 2006.

WHO: Congressman Paul Hodes (NH-2)

WHAT: Weekly Democratic Radio Address

WHEN: Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 11:06 a.m. (EST)

WHERE: Major radio networks, including AP, ABC, NPR, CBS Radio, CNN Radio, C-SPAN, Armed Forces Radio Network, American Urban Radio Network, Voice of America Radio Network, BBC Radio, CBC Radio, and Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Below is a transcript of his remarks:

"Good morning. This is Congressman Paul Hodes of New Hampshire.

"Last week, Americans marked the four-year anniversary of the war in Iraq. While anniversaries are usually something to celebrate, most Americans don't feel like celebrating right now.

"The war in Iraq has cost us dearly in lives and dollars. We've lost more than 3,200 American troops in Iraq, including 18 from my home state of New Hampshire. Tens of thousands more have been injured. The war has cost American taxpayers nearly half a trillion dollars, and diverted precious resources from fighting al Qaeda and the war on terror. As we enter the fifth year of the war, Iraq remains in chaos and the Iraqi government has failed to stand up and take ownership of the country.

"But even after four years of lives lost and stay-the-course policies that aren't working, the President refuses to change his course. On the anniversary of the war, the President continues to insist on an open-ended commitment in Iraq and another rubber stamp from Congress.

"I'm proud to report that this week, under Democratic leadership, the House of Representatives told the President that it's time to change course. We are holding him accountable for a new direction in Iraq.

"Yesterday, the House of Representatives approved the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act - landmark legislation that will help change direction in Iraq, and require the Iraqi people to take responsibility for their own country.

"This legislation is critical. First, we support our troops by providing needed funding for their equipment and protection. But this bill is not a blank check to fund the war in Iraq. It requires that the Iraqis meet the benchmarks for success that the President himself outlined in January.

"The bill also provides more funding and resources to prevail against al Qaeda in Afghanistan. We funded our troops to make sure they receive the resources, training and equipment they need. And we increased funding for our veterans, so they get the care and support they have earned and deserve.

"The legislation the House passed yesterday ensures the disastrous Walter Reed scandal is never repeated. Every American was shocked when we learned of injured troops living in squalor at the Army's finest medical center. Democrats responded quickly, demanding new leadership at Walter Reed and investigating how this scandal occurred.

"In the process, we learned about unacceptable conditions at other military and VA hospitals around the country. As a member of the House Oversight Committee, I helped to investigate the problems at Walter Reed, and I can assure you the Congress will continue to keep a close eye on our military and VA facilities to ensure our troops and our veterans get the care they deserve.

"And while we put an end to the underfunding of our veterans' care, we are also cracking down on the overfunding of politically connected contractors such as Halliburton. We're investigating the loss of billions of dollars that have gone missing in Iraq and fighting to stop the contractor rip-offs that have plagued this war. For four long years, a Republican Congress ignored that responsibility, and billions of dollars were wasted.

"Democrats are fighting to bring real change to Washington. With our vote this week, we're helping our troops, protecting our veterans, and fighting to end the waste, fraud and abuse. After four years of a failed policy, Democrats are insisting on a new direction in Iraq and a real plan that holds the Iraqi people accountable for their own country.

"Last November, people in New Hampshire and across the country voted for change. They voted for a new Congress that would stop acting as a rubber stamp for this President and begin confronting the problems and challenges facing our nation. And no challenge is more important than bringing our troops home from Iraq as quickly and responsibly as possible.

"This week, the Democratic Congress took a significant step in that direction. We hope the President will respond by listening to the American people. We hope he will work with Members of Congress from both parties to bring this war to an end.

"This is Paul Hodes of New Hampshire. I thank you for listening."