Jared Polis for Congress

Washington, DC – Jared Polis, joined by a group of top-tier Democratic congressional candidates, today jointly issued a plan for Congressional action to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible close.

The plan, unveiled at the Take Back America Conference in Washington, DC, originated from outside-the-Beltway and is intended to broaden the national conversation about national security.

Darcy Burner (WA-8), who initiated the effort, was joined by Jared Polis (CO-2), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Donna Edwards (MD-4), Tom Perriello (VA-5) and Sam Bennett (PA-15) at the unveiling session. The release event was moderated by Tom Andrews, a former member of Congress from Maine who now heads Win Without War, a coalition of national groups opposed to the current policy in Iraq.

“I went to Iraq in November, and saw firsthand the chaos in the streets of Baghdad, the gang warfare rampant throughout the city,” said Polis. “I met with aid organizations frustrated with how the surge has negatively impacted their ability to move blankets and food across the city. I saw mercenaries with corporate logos on their uniforms patrolling the perimeter of the green zone.

“This war is a war of choice, and we need to end our occupation of Iraq and support systemic reforms that prevent this kind of disaster from occurring again.”

The plan, six months in the making, was informed by consultations with retired generals and other national security experts on a path forward to end the war, including: Major General Paul Eaton (ret.), who served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004; Brigadier General John Johns (ret.), a specialist in counterinsurgency and nation building; Navy Capt. Larry Seaquist (ret.), a former battleship commander and acting deputy undersecretary of defense; and Dr. Lawrence Korb, an assistant secretary of defense during the Reagan administration.

Other candidates participating in the effort but unable to attend include Eric Massa (NY-29), Larry Byrnes (FL-14), George Fearing (WA-4), and Steve Harrison (NY-13).

The document unveiled today lays out a series of actions for Congress to take to end United States military involvement in Iraq, strengthen America and improve our standing around the world, restore accountability and checks and balances to our government and work toward energy independence.

The plan, and more information about the effort, is available at www.responsibleplan.com.