Chris Murphy on War & Peace

Senate Challenger; Democratic Rep. (CT-5)

Economic sanctions as main tactic against Iran

When asked about foreign policy, both candidates called for an end to the war in Afghanistan as soon as possible. Both also agreed that the U.S. should support at two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Bysiewicz said war in Iran should only be used "as a last resort," in talks to stop the country's nuclear weapons plan. Murphy said he thinks Iranians should "know it's always on the table. But both agreed that economic sanctions should be the United States' main tactic.

"The embargo that President Obama has worked out, and that the Foreign Affairs committee has supported, will essentially stop the Iranians from being able to find marketplaces for their oil," said Murphy, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "That brings them to the table."

Source: Easton Daily Voice on 2012 CT Senate debate , May 24, 2012

Stark differences with Lieberman about the Iraq War

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy and state Rep. William Tong were complimentary towards retiring Senator Joe Lieberman. Murphy pointed that out he and Lieberman had stark differences about the Iraq War, but he credited Lieberman with bipartisanship. "I certainly don't punish him for being one of the few down there who has occasionally been willing to try to work with Republicans," Murphy said. "That's certainly a part of his legacy." Source: Hartford Courant on 2012 CT Senate Debate , Apr 16, 2012

Ending Iraq & Afghan wars saves $2B per week

Murphy said he voted to raise the debt ceiling and he would do it again. He said ending the war in Iraq and Afghanistan will make the $2 billion spent a week available to help bring down the country's debt. Source: New Haven Register on 2012 CT Senate debate , Mar 3, 2012

Refocus on Afghanistan, not Iraq

The war in Afghanistan has taken a turn for the worse in recent years, largely because of a lack of attention by the previous administration which instead turned its attention to Iraq.

I believe we need to refocus our efforts in Afghanistan to stifle the drug trade, work with tribal leaders to suppress the insurgency and help bolster the country's flagging economy. Our security as a nation is dependent on a regional strategy in Afghanistan & Pakistan, and a safe exit from Iraq, which is now underway.

Source: 2010 House campaign website, www.chrismurphy.com, "Issues" , Jul 16, 2011

Voted NO on banning armed forces in Libya without Congressional approval.

RESOLUTION Declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of US Armed Forces in Libya, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution.

The US Armed Forces shall be used exclusively to defend and advance the national security interests of the US.
The President has failed to provide Congress with a compelling rationale based upon US national security interests for current US military activities regarding Libya.
The President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the US Armed Forces on the ground in Libya unless the purpose of the presence is to rescue a member of the Armed Forces from imminent danger.

The President shall transmit a report describing in detail US security interests and objectives, and the activities of US Armed Forces, in Libya since March 19, 2011, including a description of the following:

The President's justification for not seeking authorization by Congress for the use of military force in Libya.
US political and military objectives regarding Libya, including the relationship between the intended objectives and the operational means being employed to achieve them.
Changes in US political and military objectives following the assumption of command by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Differences between US political and military objectives regarding Libya and those of other NATO member states engaged in military activities.
The specific commitments by the US to ongoing NATO activities regarding Libya.
The anticipated scope and duration of continued US military involvement in Libya.
The costs of military, political, and humanitarian efforts concerning Libya as of June 3, 2011.

Congress has the constitutional prerogative to withhold funding for any unauthorized use of the US States Armed Forces, including for unauthorized activities regarding Libya. Reference: Resolution on Libya; Bill HRes294 ; vote number 11-HV410 on Jun 3, 2011

Voted NO on removing US armed forces from Afghanistan.

Congressional Summary:

by no later than 30 days after this resolution is adopted; or
if the President determines that it is not safe to remove them by such date, by no later than December 31, 2011.

Proponent's Argument for voting Yes:
[Rep. Kucinich, D-OH]:The American people oppose this war by a margin of two to one. Nearly 2/3 of Americans say the war isn't worth fighting. We are spending $100 billion per year on this war. There are those who are saying the war could last at least another 10 years. Are we willing to spend another $1 trillion on a war that doesn't have any exit plan, for which there is no timeframe to get out, no endgame, where we haven't defined our mission? The question is not whether we can afford to leave. The question is, can we afford to stay? And I submit we cannot afford to stay. The counterintelligence strategy of General Petraeus is an abysmal failure, and it needs to be called as such.

Opponent's Argument for voting No:
[Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, R-FL]: This resolution would undermine the efforts of our military and our international partners in Afghanistan and would gravely harm our Nation's security. 3,000 people died on Sep. 11 because we walked away once from Afghanistan, thinking that it didn't matter who controlled that country. We were wrong then. Let us not make the same mistake twice. Completing our mission in Afghanistan is essential to keeping our homeland safe. This is about our vital national security interests. It is about doing what is necessary to ensure that al Qaeda and other extremists cannot reestablish safe havens such as the ones they had in Afghanistan when the 9/11 attacks were planned against our Nation and our people. The enemy, indeed, is on the run. It is demoralized and divided. Let us not give up now.

Reference: Resolution on Afghanistan; Bill HConRes28 ; vote number 11-HV193 on Mar 17, 2011

Voted YES on investigating Bush impeachment for lying about Iraq.

OnTheIssues.org Explanation: This vote is on referring the impeachment resolution to a Congressional Committee to decide further action (not on impeachment itself).

Congressional Summary: Resolved, That President George W. Bush be impeached for committing the following abuses of power:

Article I--Creating a Secret Propaganda Campaign To Manufacture a False Case for War Against Iraq
Article VI & VIII--Invading Iraq in Violation of H.J. Res. 114, the U.N. Charter and International Criminal Law
Article X--Falsifying Accounts of US Troop Deaths and Injuries for Political Purposes
Article XI--Establishment of Permanent US Military Bases in Iraq
Article XII--Initiating a War Against Iraq for Control of That Nation's Natural Resources
Article XVII--Detaining Indefinitely and Without Charge Persons Both US Citizens and Foreign Captives
Article XXIV--Spying on American Citizens, Without a Court-Ordered Warrant, in Violation of the Fourth Amendment
Article XXVI--Announcing the Intent To Violate Laws With Signing Statements, and Violating Those Laws

Proponents' arguments for voting YEA: Rep. Kucinich: Now is the time for this Congress to examine the actions that led us into this war, just as we must work to bring our troops home. This resolution is a very serious matter and I urge the Committee on Judiciary to investigate and carefully consider this resolution.

Rep. Wasserman-Schultz: Impeachment is a lengthy process which would divide Congress and this nation even more deeply than we are divided right now. Referring this resolution to the House Judiciary Committee is the constitutionally appropriate process that should be pursued.

Rep. Ron Paul: I rise, reluctantly, in favor of referring that resolution to the House Judiciary Committee for full consideration, which essentially directs the committee to examine the issue more closely than it has done to this point.

Reference: The Kucinich Privilege Resolution; Bill H.RES.1258 ; vote number 2008-401 on Jun 11, 2008

Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days.

To provide for the redeployment of US Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq. Requires within 90 days to commence the redeployment; and to complete such redeployment within 180 days after its commencement. Prohibits the use of DOD funds to increase the number of US forces serving in Iraq in excess of the number serving in Iraq as of January 1, 2007, unless specifically authorized by Congress. Authorizes retaining in Iraq US forces for providing security for diplomatic missions; for targeting al-Qaeda; and for training Iraqi Security Forces. Requires the President to transfer to the government of Iraq all interest held by the US in any military facility in Iraq.

Proponents support voting YES because:

This war is a terrible tragedy, and it is time to bring it to an end. This is a straightforward bill to redeploy our military forces from Iraq and to end the war in Iraq. This bill does not walk away from the Iraqi people. It specifically continues diplomatic, social, economic, and reconstruction aid. Finally, this bill leaves all the decisions on the locations outside of Iraq to which our troops will be redeployed wholly in the hands of our military commanders.

Opponents support voting NO because:

This legislation embraces surrender and defeat. This legislation undermines our troops and the authority of the President as commander in chief. Opponents express concern about the effects of an ill-conceived military withdrawal, and about any legislation that places military decisions in the hands of politicians rather than the military commanders in the field. The enemy we face in Iraq view this bill as a sign of weakness. Now is not the time to signal retreat and surrender. It is absolutely essential that America, the last remaining superpower on earth, continue to be a voice for peace and a beacon for freedom in our shrinking world.

Reference: Out of Iraq Caucus bill; Bill H R 2237 ; vote number 2007-330 on May 10, 2007

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Contact info: Campaign website: www.chrismurphy.com Fax Number: 202-225-4488 Mailing Address: Cannon HOB 412, Washington, DC 20515 Official Website

Page last updated: Apr 21, 2013