JOHN SHADEGG DENOUNCES RESOLUTION THAT BETRAYS OUR ALLIES AND EMBOLDENS THE ENEMY

Congressman John Shadegg - "The consequences of withdrawing from Iraq before Iraqis can defend themselves are dire, and this resolution ignores the fundamental issue that Iraq is part of the larger war against radical jihadists."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman John Shadegg (R-AZ) made the following statement regarding today's vote on the Iraq resolution: "Following repeated claims by jihadist leaders that America will lose it's will to win in Iraq as it did in Vietnam, Beirut, and Somalia, the U.S. House of Representatives today, confirmed our enemies' claims by passing a politically posturing, "non-binding" resolution that emboldens our enemies, betrays our allies in Iraq, and signals our intent to abandon our troops fighting overseas."

"This resolution will have grave and far reaching consequences that will ultimately lead to the deaths of more Americans and innocent Iraqis. It sends a message of weakness that serves to encourage our enemies to hang on a little longer and keep up the fight. Our enemies have openly declared their intent to kill us. If we do not defeat radical jihadists in Iraq, where we will we defeat them? If not now, when?"

"In this debate I repeatedly tried to point out that our troops are fighting a war that is broad in scope and that Islamic jihadists will not stop attacking us even if America withdraws from Iraq. The limited debate proposed by Democrats implies otherwise, and puts America at great risk. Withdrawal from Iraq will send a clear message to our allies and to friend and foe alike that American cannot be trusted to keep its word when confronted with danger and adversity."

"The consequences of withdrawing from Iraq before Iraqis can defend themselves are dire, and this resolution ignores the fundamental issue that Iraq is part of the larger war against radical jihadists. This only further proves the point that the Democrat majority fundamentally misunderstands the threat we face. Somewhere deep in the caves of Afghanistan and across the Middle East, Osama bin Laden and his jihadist allies are watching, smiling, and plotting their next attack."

Congressman Shadegg is the author of the Victory in Iraq Resolution. To access the Congressman's floor speeches visit http://listmanager.sendreceivenow.com/t/76757/32106727/568/0/