Set a Deadline

We began an important fight because together we know the time has come for a Congress that shares responsibility for getting us into Iraq to take responsibility for helping to get us out. We know it is not enough to argue with details or logistics, with the manner of the conflict’s execution or the failures of competence, as great as they are. It is essential to fight to set a date to withdraw American forces.

That’s why in June of 2006, with Russ Feingold, we fought for an up or down vote on the Kerry-Feingold amendment to withdraw US combat forces from Iraq by a date certain. We made it clear that our soldiers have done their job. And now it's time for us to bring our soldiers home and start the long process of repairing the damage down to the region and our country by the disastrous policies of the Bush Administration. Eleven courageous Senators stood with us and demanded a change.

But even more important, the American people demanded change in the 2006 election. Thanks to all of your help and activism, the conversation on Iraq has shifted, and now, over a year after that first vote on the Kerry-Feingold amendment, the entire Democratic caucus stands with us. With your help, we took back the Congress, with a bare majority in the Senate. But the Republicans in the Senate continue to support the President's failed Iraq policy and block any meaningful change in course.

We are continuing to fight every day for a new course in Iraq and a new vision for our foreign policy. We've pressured vulnerable Republicans, and we've worked with the leadership in the Senate to bring up vote after vote to force the Republicans to face the American people with their support for this failed policy.

And we're shifting the debate. Almost daily, it seems, a new Republican says something negative about our Iraq policy. But talk and toothless amendments won't save one soldier or end the war one day earlier. We'll continue to fight for a real change, a new direction, and a true end to our Iraq war.

It is our moral duty to do all we can to end this. Thank you for all of your help; we will prevail.