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Debbie Stabenow on War & Peace

Democratic Jr Senator; previously Representative (MI-8)

 


We are not in Iraq forever

Q: Any limit on time for our involvement in Iraq?

STABENOW: Most challenging situation. It’s our job to give them everything they need. I’ve been to Iraq, met with Ministers. We are not there forever. The Iraqis need to shore up so our people can step back. We’re doing excellent training of their people.

BOUCHARD: We need to do everything we can to bring more stable and safe situation there. We can’t leave it in a vacuum.

Source: 2006 Michigan Senate Debate in Grand Rapids , Oct 15, 2006

Iraq was a war of choice, not a necessity

Q: Do you support pre-emptive war?

BOUCHARD: I believe we need to take care of any threat--if we have actual intelligence, yes, we need to protect the US. My opponent has failed to protect America, she voted against missile defense. We need someone who will stand up to the plate. I’ve been in Law Enforcement in 20 years. Protection is the most important job of government. She’s not done it.

STABENOW: I supported every defense budget and everything we need to do to protect our families. My opponent didn’t answer the question -- which was about Iraq. I didn’t vote to go to Iraq, because it was a war of choice, not a necessity. I’ve been to Iraq - they are brave soldiers who deserve more than a slogan - they need a strategy.

Source: 2006 Michigan Senate Debate in Grand Rapids, x-ref Bouchard , Oct 15, 2006

Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism.

Stabenow co-sponsored the Resolution on bigotry against Sikh Americans:

Title: Condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans in the wake of terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

Summary: Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected.

Source: House Resolution Sponsorship 01-HR255 on Oct 4, 2001

No troop surge: no military escalation in Iraq.

Stabenow co-sponsored opposing troop surge: no military escalation in Iraq

Sponsor`s introductory remarks: Sen. BIDEN: This bipartisan resolution opposes the President`s plan to escalate the war in Iraq. This resolution says what we and many of our colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, are against: deepening America`s military involvement in Iraq by escalating our troop presence. Just as important, it says what we and many of our colleagues are for: a strategy that can produce a political settlement in Iraq. That`s the only way to stop Shiites and Sunnis from killing each other and allow our troops to leave Iraq without leaving chaos behind.

Source: Bipartisan Resolution on Iraq (S.CON.RES.2 ) 07-SCR2 on Jan 17, 2007

Iranian nuclear weapons: prevention instead of containment.

Stabenow co-sponsored Resolution on Iran's nuclear program

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, that Congress--
  1. Reaffirms that the US Government has a vital interest in working together to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
  2. warns that time is limited to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
  3. urges continued and increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran until a full and sustained suspension of all uranium enrichment-related activities;
  4. expresses that the window for diplomacy is closing;
  5. expresses support for the universal rights and democratic aspirations of the people of Iran;
  6. strongly supports US policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;
  7. rejects any US policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.
Source: HRes568/SR41 12-SJR41 on May 24, 2012

Iran must accept long-term intrusive nuke inspection.

Stabenow signed demanding that Iran accept intrusive nuclear inspection

Excerpts from Letter from 85 Senators to President Obama We all hope that nuclear negotiations succeed in preventing Iran from ever developing a nuclear weapons capability. For diplomacy to succeed, however, we must couple our willingness to negotiate with a united and unmistakable message to the Iranian regime. We urge you to insist on the realization of these core principles with Iran:

Iran must clearly understand the consequences of failing to reach an acceptable final agreement. We must signal unequivocally to Iran that rejecting negotiations and continuing its nuclear weapon program will lead to much more dramatic sanctions, including further limitations on Iran`s oil exports.

Opposing argument: (Cato Institute, `Enforcing Iran Nuke Deal,` Jan. 25, 2017): More than anything else, the Iran nuclear deal must be kept because the alternative is a return to ever-heightening tensions and clamoring by hawks in both countries. From 2003 to 2014, years of unrelenting U.S. sanctions and confrontation, Iran went from 164 centrifuges to 19,000. The hostile approach generates a more expansive, less transparent Iranian nuclear program and increases the chances for another disastrous U.S. war in the Middle East. Let`s hope the Trump administration chooses not to go that route.

Source: Iran Nukes Letter 14LTR-NUKE on Mar 18, 2014

Require Congress' approval before military action in Iran.

Stabenow co-sponsored requiring Congress' approval before military action in Iran