Statement of Representative Tom Davis in support of H.Res. 861

June 16, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution before us today.

I would first like to again offer my gratitude to those brave men and women who are fighting or have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. We owe you a debt which can never be repaid.

Since the United States invaded Iraq, I have seen this as a high stakes gambit. If we were successful not only in defeating the Iraqi army, but in the more difficult task of establishing a democratic government, we would be far down the road to affecting a paradigm shift in the Middle East. One which would replace potentates, dictators and repression with representative government, transparency, and opportunity for both men and women.

If we were to fail, the costs would be incalculable. It would be reaffirmation for many in the world that the United States lacked the fortitude to see a mission through to completion. It would embolden terrorists the world over; it would threaten those states in the Middle East, such as Jordan and Israel, that are friends of the United States.

When I sat down to prepare my remarks for today, I took a look at previous statements on Iraq. When we started this mission, we felt certain of many things: WMD stockpiles, direct links to al-Qaeda in Baghdad. We all know now that such links are tenuous and that no WMD stockpiles were ever found.

I do not believe there was a deliberate effort to deceive the Congress and the American people. I think our intelligence told a story that turned out to be wrong, but it was a story both we and our allies thought to be true. I hope we have learned a cautionary lesson.

Regardless, the situation in Iraq is what it is. There is no question Iraq is a Petri dish for terrorists now our main nemesis in Iraq is called "al-Qaeda in Iraq." Thus, our activities in both Iraq and Afghanistan are clearly linked to the global war on terror - there is no other way to view the situation.

I am eager to build on the recent successes in Iraq. I truly hope we have turned a corner with the death of Zarqawi and the forming of the government.

If voter turnout is any indication, the Iraqi people are eager for democracy. But make no mistake, what we are trying to do in Iraq has been and will continue to be - extraordinarily difficult. Even with Zarqawi gone, there are many dangerous people who will stop at nothing to stop us.

I do not support a date-certain withdrawal from Iraq. Doing so would create an untenable situation for our forces and our Iraqi allies, and present a real gift of predictability to the enemy.

But there has to be a sense of urgency. We are in a war we must win, but we cannot plod along indefinitely. Our Founding Fathers had 13 years between the beginning of the American Revolution, the ratification of the Constitution, and the inauguration of George Washington. We do not have that luxury in Iraq.

Our troops are giving their lives in Iraq; our country is spending billions. We cannot pull the rug out from under the Iraqis, but we aren't their babysitter either.

We don't have time to waste on activities that are ineffective. We don't have money to waste on bad equipment or services.

Some have charged that this Congress has been asleep at the wheel and has done no oversight. That's not true - I have. The Government Reform Committee has held four hearings on contracting practices in Iraq and I intend to hold more. Our subcommittees, particularly that chaired by Mr. Shays, have held many more.

What we have found was there were mistakes in management and oversight. But remember, this was the first time we have contracted this extensively in a combat the situation. Everything about doing business everything in a war zone is extremely difficult and costly. It is disingenuous to deny this.

If we are going to see this mission through successfully, there must continue to be vigorous, comprehensive, constant oversight to ensure we stay on the right path.

The objective is to create a democratic government that is able to manage its own affairs and keep the civilian population safe. This entails a gradual turnover of responsibility to Iraqi troops and an incremental redeployment of American forces. The schedule of withdrawals must be based solely on the Iraqis ability to handle the job, not an arbitrary timetable. Although, I might add, the sooner Americans leave, the better for all of us.

We must do everything we can to hasten the day when Iraq is able to handle its own affairs. Our role in Congress is to conduct the oversight the American people expect of us.