Sam Farr introduces legislation calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq
Farr says he knows the president will never sign his bill, but he hopes his initiative will stir a public debate and give those who have voted to support the war in the past an opportunity to register their objections now. "This gives them a chance now to say, 'OK, you don't have it anymore. Mr. President, I'm repealing that authority'," Farr said.
Farr said Bush's call for escalation was a "tipping point" for him after three years of opposing the war and the deaths of at least six constituents in Iraq. Most surprising in Bush's announcement, Farr said, was that U.S. troops will now attempt to prevent Iran from moving arms and people into Iraq. "What does that mean?" said Farr, explaining that he's concerned that the troop escalation may signal invasions of other Middle Eastern countries, particularly Iran and Syria.
Farr, who is a member of the Out of Iraq Caucus, said his bill is one of several expected to be unveiled by other caucus members following President Bush's speech on January 10. Farr said his bill will now move into the House's Armed Service Committee and likely will be up for discussion in the full House in a couple of weeks. "Meanwhile," he said, "I will be getting co-sponsors."
Congressman Sam Farr of California served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia in the 1960's. Read more about RPCV Sam Farr.