Chris Dodd for President

Signaling additional support for Senator Chris Dodd’s legislation requiring President Bush to seek a new authorization from Congress before sending more troops to Iraq , thirty five members of the Arizona State Legislature signed a letter to the Administration opposing Bush’s plan. The letter singles out Senator Dodd’s legislation requiring a new Congressional authorization for the deployment of additional troops as the vehicle which Congress should consider: “Senator Dodd’s bill is bold, direct and forceful: no more troops. Period,” write the legislators. “We strongly urge all members of Arizona’s congressional delegation and Congress as a whole to support Sen. Dodd’s legislation immediately.” “Senator Dodd’s leadership on this issue has been vital to those of us who believe that President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq must be stopped,” said Arizona State Representative Ed Ableser. “Dodd’s legislation to stop President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq illustrates his commitment to bring about meaningful action now.” The letter Arizona legislators sent to President Bush:

February 19, 2007 President George W. Bush 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Bush: We write to show our opposition to the President’s planned escalation in the number of U.S. troops deployed in Iraq. U.S. involvement in Iraq has already resulted in the deaths of more than 3,000 U.S. soldiers, not to mention the more than 22,000 U.S. military personnel that have been wounded and disabled. The troop surge will only increase these numbers. The proposed escalation further extends National Guard tours in Iraq. Since September 11, 2001, “more than 3,000 Arizona Army National Guard and Air National Guard soldiers and airmen have answered the call and been ordered to Federal active duty in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.” The costs to Arizona as a result of the call-up of National Guard members for deployment are significant. As of September 2006, the war effort had cost Arizona over 5.2 billion dollars. The total cost is measured not only in dollars but also in lost lives, combat injuries, psychic trauma, disruption of family life, and financial hardship for individuals, families and businesses. This disruption is damaging the fundamental fabric of civil life in Arizona’s communities. Most military experts oppose escalation in Iraq, and media reports indicate that even the Joint Chiefs of Staff have criticized this strategy. Polls show that the vast majority of Americans do not support an increase in the number of troops in Iraq. Most Arizona voters oppose this plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq. To date, Congress has appropriated more than $357 billion to fund military operations and reconstruction in Iraq. Previous budgets prioritizing Iraq have led to cuts in critical block grants for states and have increased the Federal debt which, compounded by interest payments, will likely lead to even larger cuts in funding for critical needs in the States. This money could instead fund desperately needed education, health care, housing, nutrition and other social services in our communities. Legal experts on all sides have determined that Congress has not only broad authority, but a long tradition of limiting escalation or forcing redeployment of troops through the Constitutionally-designated power of the purse. Along these lines, Senator Christopher Dodd has introduced legislation mandating that any new troop deployment for Iraq must be approved by Congress. Senator Dodd’s bill is bold, direct, and forceful: no more troops. Period. We strongly urge all Members of Arizona's congressional delegation and Congress as a whole to support Sen. Dodd's legislation immediately. At a time when the Iraq Study Group is calling for a reduction in troops and withdrawal of the U.S. from Iraq, we the undersigned call for Congress to stop the escalation of troops in Iraq. The Iraq Study Group co-chaired by James A. Baker, III, and Lee H. Hamilton, consisted of leading military leaders, diplomatic officials, and allies around the world. Under dire circumstances, American troops have valiantly upheld their duty in Iraq. Escalation of troops would only result in more deaths and further strain our already over-burdened troops. We honor their sacrifices when we bring an end to this debacle. At a bare minimum, the President should obtain explicit approval from Congress before any troop escalation occurs. Finally, we call for Congress to pass legislation prohibiting the President from spending taxpayer dollars on an escalation in Iraq AND/OR expanding the war to neighboring countries, without first seeking Congressional approval. Yours respectfully, Arizona State Senators Senator Paula Aboud Senator Amanda Aguirre Senator Marsha Arzberger Senator Meg Burton Cahill Senator Jorge Luis Garcia Senator Leah Landrum Taylor Senator Debbie McCune Davis Senator Richard Miranda Senator Rebecca Rios Arizona State Representatives Representative Ed Ableser Representative Manuel V. Alvarez Representative David Bradley Representative Jack Brown, Assistant Leader - House Democrats Representative Chad Campbell Representative Clovis C. Campbell., Jr Representative Mark Anthony DeSimone Representative Steve Farley Representative Steve M. Gallardo, Whip - House Democrats Representative Martha Garcia Representative Ann Kirkpatrick Representative Phil Lopes, Leader, House Democrats Representative Linda Lopez Representative David Lujan Representative Barbara McGuire Representative Robert Meza Representative Lynne Pancrazi Representative Tom Prezelski Representative Pete Rios Representative Lena S. Saradnik Representative David Schapira Representative Kyrsten Sinema Representative Jackie Thrasher Representative Theresa Ulmer

The Arizona legislators join 117 state legislators in Connecticut who back Dodd's bill on Iraq, and that won't be the end of it. Check back for updates frequently.