William Rivers Pitt Interviews Rep Jim McGovern
October 26, 2006
Rep. Jim McGovern is currently serving his fifth term in the House from the 3rd Congressional District of Massachusetts. He has introduced H.R. 4232, which would end funding for the use of ground troops in Iraq and US occupation of Iraq. Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) has been working and organizing support for HR 4232, including circulating an online petition that has garnered more than 25,000 signatures. PDA urges everyone to sign the petition, and to ask your Congressional member to co-sponsor the bill. Rep. McGovern was interviewed on Wednesday, Oct. 4, by PDA National Board Member William Rivers Pitt.
WRP: The number, I believe, is 21 American soldiers killed since Saturday. Four more died today. Dozens of Iraqi civilians have been killed just in the last few days. Can you give me your assessment of where we are in terms of this occupation of Iraq?
Rep. McGovern: I think it's an absolute fiasco. It is a complete mess. We have ruined our reputation around the world. On top of everything else, the contractors involved in this war are ripping off American taxpayers. These contractors have stolen millions of dollars of taxpayer money, and all we have to show for it is being the referee in a civil war.
This war needs to be brought to an end and the sooner the better. I believe that if we can end the U.S. occupation, we can hopefully prompt a new dynamic in Iraq where the various factions will decide to cooperate with each other and decide to figure out a way to coexist, and also prompt some of Iraq's neighbors and the international community to play a constructive role helping to construct a peaceful future for the people of Iraq.
WRP: Can you tell me about your proposed legislation, HR4232?
Rep. McGovern: Our bill essentially calls for an end to the war now. It basically stops funding the war. That's the way you end wars. We can talk all we want about someday the conditions will be ripe, or someday we'll do this or do that, but the fact is that the only way to end this war is by cutting off the funding.
This not a cut-and-run strategy. What my bill says is that we will continue to provide funds for a safe and orderly withdrawal of troops. This bill doesn't say cut funds immediately and leave our troops just hanging there. It provides funding for the safe and orderly withdrawal of our troops. That may take weeks, or even a few months, in all reality.
It also allows for there to be continued U.S. assistance for economic reconstruction. We do have a moral obligation not to leave the people of Iraq high and dry after this war. We should also support international organizations like the United Nations if they decide to put in a temporary peacekeeping force. But it would not allow for the funding of U.S. troops on the ground. We have great men and women serving our country in Iraq right now, but it is my conviction that the continued presence of U.S. soldiers in Iraq is not calming the situation. It's like throwing gasoline on a fire.
WRP: I assume you have co-sponsors for this legislation.
http://pdamerica.org/articles/campaigns/2006-10-26-17-54-31-campaigns.php
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