Dear Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid,

First let us thank you for your leadership in ensuring that Congress asserts its proper oversight role with the war in Iraq. We are writing you now, on behalf of our members, to ask you to stay strong in the face of the president’s veto threats and to encourage you to take even stronger action to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq and fund reconstruction and regional diplomacy.  

The current plan embodied in the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health and Iraq Accountability Act is a historic step in the right direction. We strongly support you as you stand up to the president’s veto threats and hold fast to passage of a supplemental spending bill that incorporates a binding timeline for withdrawal. Standing up to the president will entail great political courage. The tragedy in Iraq -- and in the homes of our military families - calls for no less. Convincing the president he must sign a supplemental bill that includes a binding timeline would also have an immediate positive impact by increasing diplomatic leverage as various players – Iraqi, regional and international – recognized that the occupation was coming to an end.

As the Iraq debate moves forward, we believe the facts on the ground demonstrate that Congress must continue to refine its withdrawal policy to allow for a full transition from a failed military strategy to a diplomatic one. Such a policy would begin immediately, have a fixed timeline completed in approximately six months, and would not allow tens of thousands of troops to remain in Iraq. This type of policy is supported by a majority of Americans: a recent poll indicated that 58% of the American people want to see our troops home within one year.

An Iraq policy where redeployment drags on or where large numbers of troops are left behind will seriously undermine the diplomatic benefits of a military disengagement strategy. Announcing a full withdrawal and beginning it immediately would instantly increase our diplomatic leverage to gain the economic and diplomatic support of regional and international actors. In turn, that leverage could be used to encourage diverse Iraqi factions to come to the table for serious negotiation and reconciliation.  

Implementing a strategy of full military disengagement in the near term also frees up U.S. financial resources for diplomacy, reconstruction and reconciliation. At the same time it liberates the U.S. government’s attention so it can focus on harnessing the creativity and skill of the Departments of State, Commerce and Treasury as they help in Iraqi-led efforts to create real stability. If on the other hand we leave large numbers of troops behind, Iraqi insurgents as well as international terrorist groups will benefit from the perception that the occupation is continuing.

Regardless of the outcome of the proposed supplemental funding bill, we urge you to continue to pass legislation with the strongest timeline possible and independently enforceable benchmarks. The recent Congressional Research Service report clearly indicates that the current funds could last until July, and the onus must be put on President Bush to change course in Iraq. The advantage is clearly on the side of those of us who understand the necessity of withdrawing from Iraq.  Supporters of the current failed Iraq policy are feeling increased pressure, and we must ensure that this momentum continues.  The American people believe that Congress has the most responsibility in shaping Iraq policy, and we expect Congress to stay strong in its commitment to accountability that has been lacking for the past four years of this disastrous war.

The progress made early in this congressional session has been very encouraging, and we thank you for your role in uniting Congress behind a timetable for the first time.  We urge you to continue with strong and decisive action to end the war in Iraq.

Sincerely,

Jon Rainwater, Executive Director
Peace Action West

Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director
California Church IMPACT

Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Institute

Will Parrish, Youth Empowerment Director
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Stephen McNeil, Assistant Regional Director
American Friends Service Committee

Tom Gallagher, President
Bernal Heights Democratic Club

Robert M. Gould, MD, President
SF-Bay Area Chapter
Physicians for Social Responsibility

Dr. Kimberly Salter, President
California National Organization for Women

Mehrdad Moayedzadeh, President
Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats

Paul Cox
Veterans For Peace- San Francisco

Toye Moses, President
African American Democratic Club

Deborah Burger, RN, President
California Nurses Association

Brian Benedict, President
University of Nevada (Reno) Young Democrats

Diana Smith, Coordinator
Nevada Progressive Democrats of America

Steve Platt, Chair
Carson City Democratic Central Committee

Jessica Brown, President
Nevada National Organization for Women

Danny N. Coyle, Past President (current Vice President)
AFSCME Retiree Chapter 4041

Jill Switzer, President
Stonewall Democrats of Northern Nevada

Rena Meyers-Dahlkamp
Fundraising Chair
Douglas County Democrats

Chelsea Collonge, Coordinator
Nevada Desert Experience