McCollum Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the Iraq War

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) released the following statement today:

"This week marks the 20-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq War, a tragedy of incalculable human costs to many American and Iraqi families. In 2002, I was one of 133 members of the House of Representatives to vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution. I am proud of my decision to vote no, and strongly believe that President George W. Bush's decision to launch this war of choice was catastrophically wrong. The Iraq War fundamentally reshaped the geopolitical dynamics in the region and across the globe, and not for the better. Our nation and others continue to deal with the aftermath. Many Americans fought in Iraq, and some made the ultimate sacrifice. Every person who served our nation in uniform is owed a debt of gratitude.

"I have worked in Congress over the years to provide better medical care and mental health services to our service members, their families, and our veterans. When I became Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in the last Congress, I was committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure our service members had the adequate training and equipment necessary to complete their missions and return home safely. The world of 2023 is very different from the world of 2003, and America faces national security challenges on multiple fronts. The United States should always lead with diplomacy and be prepared to defend democracy."

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