Jared Polis for Congress - Press Releases

Polis Proposes Aggressive Plan to Help Families and Students Pay for College

2008-06-30T13:06:00Z

JUNE 30, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dayna Hanson Morain, Dayna@polisforcongress.com

Polis Proposes Aggressive Plan to Help Families and Students Pay for College

Plan calls for national service in return for four years of college tuition

Boulder, CO – Jared Polis, Democratic candidate for Congress in Colorado’s 2nd District, today announced bold measures to help students and middle-class families pay for four years of college. Polis said Congress must do more to make higher education affordable, and promised to push for free college tuition in exchange for national service, and other assistance with student loans.

“As Democrats, we know that the key to reaching the American Dream for working families has always been education. Congress is not doing nearly enough to help students and families with the soaring costs of higher education,” said Jared Polis.

“In return for one year of service to our country by working in the poorest urban and rural schools, in hospitals and in our communities, I think students should be offered two years of free tuition at our public universities and community colleges. I will fight for that when I get to Congress.”

Jared Polis said that his plan draws upon the best principles of national and community service, and help for ordinary Americans to improve their lives through higher education.

Polis proposes that the federal government cover the cost of two years of college tuition for each year of national service. Polis’ plan would give any college graduate up to $25,000 – the average four-year cost of tuition at American public universities – in return for two years of national service.

Polis also proposed to double Pell Grant awards for students to help pay for college. The maximum Pell Grant today covers only a portion of the cost of a public university, or $4,000 of a bill that far exceeds that amount.

Polis also wants to increase direct government lending for college tuition and raise the cap on federally backed student loans. As more private lenders are pulling out of the student loan business under the “credit crunch”, Congress must strengthen the federal direct loan program, allowing more students to borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Cutting out the middlemen promises lower interest rates for students’ loans, and offers a better deal for taxpayers.

To pay for free tuition for Americans in return for national service, which will cost $3.6 billion (that is less than two weeks of funding for the war in Iraq), the government can cut billions in subsidies to big oil and gas companies and subsidies to private banks and lenders who profit from our current insufficient student loan programs.

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Polis Announces Bold Plan to Relieve America’s Credit Crunch, Address Foreclosure Crisis, Stop Abusive Credit Practices

2008-06-24T14:34:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 24, 2008
CONTACT: Dayna Hanson Morain
Dayna@polisforcongress.com

Polis Announces Bold Plan to Relieve America’s Credit Crunch, Address Foreclosure Crisis, Stop Abusive Credit Practices

(Boulder, CO) – Today, as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on a housing rescue plan that would deliver much-needed aid to communities and borrowers across the nation hard-hit by the mortgage crisis, Jared Polis, Democratic candidate for Congress in Colorado’s 2nd District, will discuss his detailed plan to address the “credit crunch” deeply felt by Americans at a roundtable at 7pm tonight at the Thornton Community Building, 2141 E. 95th Avenue.

At the roundtable, Polis will discuss how he will fight to get relief for families facing foreclosure on their homes; push to re-write harsh bankruptcy “reform” laws that punish families; and put an end to some of the credit industry’s most abusive practices.

The Senate legislation, which could come to the floor for a vote as early as today, would provide $300 billion in emergency funding to help save 400,000 failing loans across the country. Adams County, which falls within Polis’ congressional district, holds one of the highest foreclosure rates in the entire country with nearly one in every 170 homes foreclosed on. The emergency funding bill would send $4 billion in aid to communities that rank the highest in foreclosures, provide $180 million in loan counseling and would also attempt to reform mortgage disclosure.

“As I listen to voters across the district, many families have shared their personal stories of suffering and loss from the vicious cycle of debt. It is time that the federal government take strong action to help countless families who have lost their homes to foreclosure here in Colorado, and millions more across our country who are looking at that prospect in the near future,” said Jared Polis.

“We need people in Congress who will be on the side of ordinary families feeling the credit crunch intensely today, who will lead on ending abusive lending practices by credit card companies and payday lenders, exploding mortgage rates, and bankruptcy laws that deny families a second chance. I will bring my business experience and vision to Congress to help families get a fair shake from lenders.”

Polis has had extensive experience in protecting Americans from abusive lenders. He helped create the progressive infrastructure that pushed for needed change in Colorado since 2004, chaired a National Commission on Financial Literacy, and has helped continue the ongoing fight in 2008 with his strong support for organizations fighting the payday lender industry.

To read the full plan, please click here.

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Polis: “We must begin restoring trust in our government."

2008-06-23T17:40:00Z

JUNE 23, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dayna Hanson Morain, Dayna@polisforcongress.com

POLIS: “WE MUST BEGIN RESTORING TRUST IN OUR GOVERNMENT”

Boulder, CO – Jared Polis released the following statement today on the recent compromise by House Democrats on FISA:

“If we, as a nation, are going to mend our reputation at home and throughout the world, we must begin by restoring trust in our government.

“Rushing FISA reform through Congress is not the answer. Congress must stand firm against allowing Republicans and the Bush Administration to violate the civil liberties of our citizens any more than they already have. Further, phone companies should not be given a pass and should be held accountable for their involvement in unwarranted wiretapping.

“The fear mongering tactics of President Bush and his cronies on Capitol Hill are tired; the American public now understands that we can have security at home while also protecting the civil liberties of our law abiding citizens.”

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Statement on McCain/Bush Plan to Expand Domestic Oil and Gas Drilling

2008-06-20T19:55:00Z

Boulder, CO - Reacting to recent attempts by President Bush regarding oil shale development and opening our shorelines to invasive and environmentally disastrous oil drilling, Jared Polis today blasted both Bush and McCain for energy policies that are shortsighted solutions to a problem that, if not addressed properly, will negatively impact generations to come.

“As millions of families face the grim reality of record-high gas and utility prices, it is clear that McCain shares President Bush’s shortsighted solutions to our nation’s long-term energy crisis,” said Polis. “The only way to strengthen America’s independence from oil and gas interests is to make a true investment in renewable energy technology, including the expansion of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.

“We also have to help move groundbreaking technology into the market through incentives, university-industry collaboration and other public-private partnerships. I believe that the development of alternative fuels, such as biofuels, as well as energy-efficient products, such as hybrid and electric vehicles and Zero-Energy Homes, holds the key to both becoming energy independent and addressing global warming.

“My plan for energy independence calls for preserving our natural resources for future generations. As a matter of personal and collective integrity, we need to stand up for the environment by initiating and supporting policies that emphasize sustainability through innovation and collaboration. We must reject the false dilemma that pits economic growth against environmental stewardship, such as the current threats to the Roan Plateau and developing oil shale on the Western Slope.

“Cleaning our air and water, securing wildlife habitat and open space, safeguarding the health and safety of our children, and promoting economic opportunity can be accomplished through fair policies based on cutting-edge scientific and technological advances and a spirit of working together.

“Here in Colorado, we have great potential to be a leader in this new green economy. And in Washington, we need people in Congress who will be independent of these special interests pushing to drill and develop seemingly everywhere, and who will stand up to the powerful oil and gas lobby.”

Unlike Polis’ opponent, Joan Fitz-Gerald, who continues to take thousands of dollars from the oil and gas industry and has called the oil and gas industry the “goose that lays the golden egg” for Colorado, Polis is not accepting any money from Political Action Committees and has vowed to fight in Washington to limit the influence lobbyists and special interests have on making policy decisions.

Statement from Robert Becker, Campaign Manager for Jared Polis, regarding Senator Fitz-Gerald's call for a halt to oil subsidies

2008-06-10T19:40:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 10, 2004
CONTACT: Robert Becker, (303) 381-0121

"The author of Colorado's 'Oil & Gas Dream Bill' is now playing 'me-too' politics by vowing to end taxpayer subsidies for Big Oil?

"Sorry, but Senator Fitz-Gerald had seven years in the State Senate to take a pro-active approach to reigning in Big Oil, and she did nothing. Instead, she was Big Oil's sweetheart, accepting tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from giants like El Paso Energy, Chevron Texaco and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, and then trying to pass a sweetheart royalties deal for Big Oil through her 'Dream Bill' in 2002.

"If Senator Fitz-Gerald wants to play finger-in-the-wind politics, she needs wipe her fingerprints of the oil first."

Jared Polis issued a comprehensive plan to bring down gas prices earlier this week ahead of Fitz-Gerald:

BACKGROUND

In February 2002, Senator Fitz-Gerald sponsored a bill [An Oil-Industry Dream Bill, Denver Post, 2/28/02, 2002 Colorado Legislature], which would have cut by half the royalty payments made by oil and gas companies to royalty owners – Colorado farmers and ranchers. Fitz-Gerald’s legislation sought to overturn a court ruling that prohibited transportation and processing costs from being deducted from royalty payments.

She said that the legislation would help the oil and gas industry, and without the industry no one would make any money from the resources:

“If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, then nothing from nothing is nothing” [Colorado Senate Likely to Approve Natural Gas Production Payout Bill, Denver Post, 2/21/02]. Opponents of the bill rightly said that it was a product of “special interest greed” and would harm the royalty owners. Click here to read the bill.

According to the Denver Post at the time:

“The state legislature appears ready to kowtow to the oil and gas industry despite potential harm to thousands of Colorado farmers, ranchers and other landowners.
“A pending measure, SB 141, could cut in half the royalties natural gas companies pay to people who own private mineral rights. But the broader question is why state lawmakers are carrying water for the oil and gas industry” [Denver Post, 2/28/02].

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Jared Polis Vows to Tackle Price-Gouging at the Pump, Bring

2008-06-05T03:06:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, June 4, 2008
CONTACT: Robert Becker, (303) 381-0121

(Boulder, CO) – Jared Polis, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress in Colorado’s 2nd District, today outlined tough actions he will take if elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to lower gas prices and move our nation towards energy independence and green energy policies.

“While big oil conglomerates are recording record profits, middle- and low-income families, consumers and businesses are struggling with staggering gas prices at the pump and the ‘oil tax’, which is increasing the price of everything from groceries to airline tickets. The American economy is gravely threatened,” said Jared Polis. “I will stand up to the big oil and gas industry if I get to Congress. I will fight for solutions to bring down soaring gas prices and halt the price gouging. I will push to end the tax subsidies, the giveaways and the rollbacks of royalties that big oil and gas have extracted from taxpayers. Congress has been far too timid. These are solutions we desperately need today if we are to make the investments in a green future in America.”

“There’s a real difference in this campaign. In the State Senate, Joan Fitz-Gerald sponsored legislation that was called the ‘Oil and Gas Dream Bill’ by newspapers. Now she’s complaining about $4 per gallon gas prices, but what did she expect after doing the bidding of the oil and gas lobby? I'll take a different approach and stand up to the special interests,” added Polis. “My career has been based on bringing new solutions to old problems, and I will do that in Congress. Consumers have been held hostage by oil and gas companies for too long.” Jared Polis’ plan:

• Strategic Petroleum Reserve – Jared Polis supports releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bring market prices down immediately, and raising the possibility of additional future releases to drive speculators out of the market.

• Tough anti-trust laws and enforcement – Congress must act forcefully to end market manipulation and illegal, anti-competitive practices in the oil industry. We need new antitrust legislation and enforcement to do it. There is too much concentration in the oil and gas industry today. I will push the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look closely at gas prices, and conduct thorough investigations for illegal market manipulation by the oil and gas giants, and swift, tough enforcement of penalties. More competitive markets will bring lower gas prices.

• Mergers – like that between Exxon and Mobil ten years ago – have created entities that are too big and too powerful, and have directly resulted in higher gas prices at the pump, as was confirmed by a 2004 Government Accountability Office report. These corporate giants produce the crude oil, own the refineries, and sell the gasoline at the pump. As the FTC itself admitted in 2001, when oil companies own the refineries, it makes it simple to manipulate market prices. We need old-fashioned trust busting. We need new a new generation of anti-trust legislation to deal with this new environment, and tough enforcement.

• End tax giveaways to big oil – Jared Polis supports the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act of 2008, HR 5351, legislation to strip $18 billion in oil company tax breaks that were enacted in 2004. He will push for repeal of all existing oil company tax breaks. We should be putting that money into solar, wind, alternative fuels and energy efficiency.

• Regulating energy exchanges – We need tough new regulation, oversight and enforcement of OTC as well as regulated energy exchange markets. Financial speculators are driving up the price of oil. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) must be strengthened and criminal sanctions should be enforced on speculators who violate the law.

• Protect public lands from drilling – Further drilling, exploitation and despoliation of wilderness areas like the Roan Plateau and ANWR proposed by the oil industry is not the answer. Jared Polis strongly opposes the Bureau of Land Management’s current plan to expand gas-drilling leases in the Roan Plateau. Instead, he wants to strengthen environmental protection of our pristine public lands. The oil and gas industry is exploiting the gas price crisis to rush along leases on our federal lands and argue for additional exploitation. Jared Polis believes that these are false solutions and only feed our reliance on fossil fuels.

• Get the special interest money out of politics – The price of gas and the neglect of clean energy policies in Congress is the direct result of too much special interest money in politics. The oil industry pours millions of dollars into political campaigns every year. Too many members of Congress fear them. But Jared Polis is not afraid to stand up to them. That is also why we need, and he will fight for, public financing of campaigns and ‘Clean Money Clean Elections’ legislation in Congress. Jared Polis is the only candidate for the 2nd Congressional District not accepting money from Political Action Committees (PACs).

“For too long, our country’s energy policy has been written by and for the oil and gas industry. That must end. I will work with allies in and out Congress, like Public Citizen, and with citizens across the 2nd District to accomplish these urgent goals,” Polis said.

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Polis Continues Call on Congress to Expand Benefits for Veterans

2008-05-15T22:59:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 15, 2008
CONTACT: Dayna@polisforcongress.com

Polis Continues Call on Congress to Expand Benefits for Veterans

BOULDER, CO – Jared Polis today expressed outrage at the U.S. House of Representatives refusal to expand education and unemployment benefits for veterans returning from war.

“I am outraged that a majority of the members of U.S. House of Representatives lack the moral compass to keep our promise to our veterans. We have an obligation to help ease the transition from soldier to citizen for those who have served our nation and I am disappointed that thousands of veterans now face yet another roadblock.

Jared Polis today continued his call on Congress to pass the GI Bill of Rights as “stand alone” legislation and not as part of the Emergency Supplemental to continue funding of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The legislation, entitled the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act" (S.22/ H.R. 5740) was sponsored by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) and would extend enough tuition money to vets to complete a four year degree at a state or private university. The benefit would extend to only those who have served at least three years in the military and the $50 billion in funding would be spread out over ten years.

The legislation is considered one of the most comprehensive GI Benefit packages for education and unemployment compensation since the original GI Bill, passed during WWII and signed by President Roosevelt in 1944. The measure failed 266-166.

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Polis Calls On Congress To Pass GI Bill of Rights As “Stand Alone” Legislation

2008-05-12T20:56:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 12, 2008

CONTACT: Dayna Hanson, (720) 936-7034 or Dayna@polisforcongress.com

POLIS CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS GI BILL OF RIGHTS AS “STAND ALONE” LEGISLATION

BOULDER, CO – Jared Polis today called on Congress to pass the GI Bill of Rights as “stand alone” legislation and not as part of the Emergency Supplemental to continue funding of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The legislation, entitled the “Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act" (S.22/ H.R. 5740) is sponsored by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) and would extend enough tuition money to vets to complete a four year degree at a state or private university. The benefit would extend to only those who have served at least three years in the military and the $50 billion in funding would be spread out over ten years.

“I have spent a good part of my time on this campaign talking with veterans who have served our country – veterans who are trying to go from soldier to citizen,” said Polis. “It’s not an easy transition and we must ensure they have the tools and resources to improve their futures through education.

“It’s time for all Democrats in Congress to oppose pairing the war funding bill with this much needed educational funding. Let’s stop using the term ‘support our troops’ and actually start doing it by keeping our promise to them and passing this bill.

The legislation is being considered one of the most comprehensive GI Benefit packages for education since the original GI Bill, passed during WWII and signed by President Roosevelt in 1944. The legislation currently has 58 co-sponsors in the Senate and 250 cosponsors in the House.
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Polis Takes 40% of Assembly Vote, Secures Spot On August Primary Ballot

2008-05-11T02:31:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POLIS TAKES 40% OF ASSEMBLY VOTE,
SECURES SPOT ON AUGUST PRIMARY BALLOT

WESTMINSTER, CO – Jared Polis today secured 40% of the vote at the CD2 Democratic Assembly, gaining eight percentage points over rival Senator Joan Fitz-Gerald in the primary ballot fight leading up to August’s primary election.

Before 800 Democratic activists, Gina Salazar of Adams County and Boulder resident and former candidate for U.S. Senate Josie Heath nominated Polis to be placed on the August ballot.

“We are the Democratic Party,” said Polis in his remarks before the crowd. “But this election is not about us, it’s not about my opponent, it’s about the very future and soul of our country.”

Polis, an education advocate and leader in the non-profit community, is gaining momentum. Following the last County Assembly that took place in Boulder on March 15, Polis came out with a little over 30% of the delegate count.

“I am thrilled,” said Polis. “We are working hard and together, with my volunteers and supporters, we will continue to get our message of hope and opportunity out to the voters of the 2nd CD.”

A staunch advocate of a firm plan for withdrawal from Iraq, Polis addressed the war in his speech, saying, “We have a tremendous opportunity to change our country this year. But with that opportunity come tremendous challenges.

“We must end this war – not with rhetoric alone, but with a specific plan and set of actions to bring this war of choice to an honorable end.”

Polis recently co-authored the Responsible Plan to end the war in Iraq – www.responsibleplan.com . The Plan has received broad nationwide support and has been endorsed by over fifty candidates nationwide.

“There was quite a bit of hard work that went into today’s Assembly,” added Polis. “I want to thank Terry Phillips and the entire organizational committee who helped to pull off such a fantastic day.”

The next step for the candidates is the primary election to be held on August 12th.
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Polis Praises Water Protection Bills

2008-05-05T09:12:00Z

MAY 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dayna Hanson, (720) 936-7034 or Dayna@polisforcongress.com

POLIS PRAISES COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON WATER PROTECTION BILLS

BOULDER, CO – Jared Polis today commended the Colorado General Assembly on the passage of two bills that will protect Colorado’s groundwater and communities from environmentally destructive in situ leach Uranium mining. HB 1161, sponsored by Senators Steve Johnson (R-Ft. Collins) and Bob Bacon (D-Fort Collins) and Representatives John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) and Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins), will establish environmental standards for harmful in situ uranium leach mining and require all mines to restore the groundwater to original, pre-mining conditions.

SB 228, sponsored by Senators Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) and Representative Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison), will provide for greater transparency for all mineral exploration. Prior to passage of this legislation, all mineral exploration has operated under a cloak of secrecy.

“I am very pleased with the important steps these Senators and Representatives have taken in protecting Colorado’s groundwater and citizens from the dangerous practice of leach uranium mining,” said Polis. “One of the mainstays of my campaign is the protection and conservation of our natural resources and to ensure that the beautiful landscape in this state remains safe and protected from industries who seek to exploit its natural beauty.

“I look forward to mirroring efforts like this at the federal level and working to hold industries accountable for the impact they have on our environment.”

Polis, who has refused to receive special interest money for his campaign, served on the board of Colorado Conservation Voters and has been a lifelong advocate of environmental protection. To learn more, please visitwww.polisforcongress.com .

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Jared Polis Endorses Obama for President

2008-04-19T16:38:00Z

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 19, 2008

CONTACT: Dayna Hanson, (720) 936-7034 or Dayna@polisforcongress.com

POLIS ENDORSES OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT
Announcement made at nationwide Nation for Change! event in Boulder

BOULDER, CO -- Jared Polis today announced his endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President, citing a need for a true progressive voice in Washington and a leader who is willing to put party politics aside in the best interest of the nation.

“We have a unique opportunity to make real, positive change,” said Polis during his remarks at the rally, which included state officials and local Obama for America supporters.

“It is time to change the direction of this country and instill again the true values of democracy where it does not matter how much money you have in your pocket or how much influence you have in your community, your children deserve a quality education, you deserve proper and affordable health care, you deserve a roof over your head and protection for you and your family from the government.

“America deserves a change and Senator Obama is the light that will show us the way. It is time for superdelegates across the nation to step-up and throw their support behind the candidate of their choice. It’s time for a nominee to start taking on John McCain.

“I know that political advisors would tell me to stay out of it, it’s too risky, don’t endorse anyone until the nominee is decided. But I am willing to take that risk and throw my support behind who I think is the best candidate to lead the Democratic Party and, ultimately, the nation toward positive change.”

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Polis: "Ask Petraeus and Crocker Tough Questions, Block Funding and Continue Troop Withdrawal"

2008-04-08T18:00:00Z

BOULDER, CO - Jared Polis today called on the Senate Armed Services Committee to ask General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker the tough questions surrounding whether or not the war in Iraq is making progress, if Americans are safer because of the war, and why America is footing the bill for Iraq’s domestic needs when the Maliki government has nearly $30 billion in reserves?

"This war is not getting better and Americans, as we saw over the last few weeks with the violence in Sadr City, are in great danger. "General Petraeus and Amabassador Crocker have made it very clear that this quagmire of a war is not going to end anytime soon under the current leadership,” said Polis. “Americans, who are fighting a recession at home, should not be pouring billions into a nonsensical war that is only serving to pad the pockets of contractors and mercenaries like Halliburton and Blackwater. "We need a firm exit strategy and Congress must continue troop withdrawal and block further funding for this war until an exit strategy is in place."

Polis, who is an original sponsor of the highly supported “Responsible Plan” to end the war in Iraq, has opposed the war from the beginning. The Plan, which he jointly announced in Washington, DC, last month, has since gained momentum and now boasts over fifty congressional candidates, as well as current members of Congress, national security experts, and high ranking military officials as supporters of the Plan. Last week, Polis encouraged voters to endorse the Responsible Plan by logging onto his campaign website, and signing the online petition. For a full list of the over fifty candidates and other backers of the plan, or for further information, please click here.

Polis Encourages Other Campaigns To Go Zero Waste

2008-03-28T13:00:00Z

BOULDER, CO - Jared Polis, candidate for Congress in Colorado’s eco-friendly 2nd congressional district and the first to run a zero-waste campaign, today encouraged other campaigns to follow his lead and consider alternative energy sources, carbon neutral campaign vehicles, and a comprehensive recycling and composting system within the office.

Polis’s campaign headquarters in Boulder is powered solely by wind, his campaign vehicles are carbon neutral, and the staff recycles and composts. In addition, all campaign paper and materials are, whenever possible, purchased on recycled materials.

“It has been great to see staff, some of whom never recycled before coming on board, learning and becoming conscious of sustainability,” said Polis. “Many have told me that it is changing the way they see their imprint on our environment and, consequently, changing their transportation and home recycling habits to be more eco-friendly.

“I encourage other campaigns – which are normally notorious for their waste and large ecological footprint – to at least consider zero waste programs.”

The Polis campaign works in conjunction with EcoCycle in creating a zero-waste campaign.

4,000 Dead: How Many More Will Have to Die?

2008-03-25T16:00:00Z

BOULDER, CO – Following the solemn marker this weekend of 4,000 American troops killed in Iraq, Jared Polis today reaffirmed his commitment to ending the war in Iraq through a responsible plan.

“The situation in Iraq is not getting better,” said Polis. “This Easter week, four more families were met with news that their child, parent, and spouses were never coming home.

“How many more people have to die before Congress and the Administration commit themselves to a plan for ending U.S. occupation and creating a new path forward?”

In November, Polis traveled to Iraq and saw, firsthand, the atrocities. Last week he joined leading Democratic challengers across the nation in signing onto the Responsible Plan to end the war in Iraq. The Plan focuses on ending U.S. military occupation, diplomacy, addressing humanitarian concerns, restoring the U.S. Constitution to prevent another Iraq from happening, restoring the military and creating a U.S. centered energy policy.

“Withdrawing troops is only part of the equation,” said Polis. “What we need is a comprehensive plan that will include restoring our constitution and civil rights, banning the use of mercenaries in combat operations, and addressing the issue of Iraqi refugees.”

The Responsible Plan, which can be found at www.ResponsiblePlan.com, is endorsed by Darcy Burner (WA-8), Chellie Pingree (ME-1), Donna Edwards (MD-4), Tom Perriello (VA-5), Sam Bennett (PA-15), Eric Massa (NY-29), Larry Byrnes (FL-14), George Fearing (WA-4), and Steve Harrison (NY-13), as well as 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.

Polis Joins Top Democratic Candidates to Issue Plan for Congressional Action to End Iraq War

2008-03-17T13:48:00Z

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.