I received this in the mail today. There are 126 Congressional Cosponsors of HR 2625 for an independent commision on intelligence about Iraq. Rep. Becerras strong word especially at the end signal there is more of a fight coming up in Congress, especially if people take to the streets en masse. Rosalio Munoz,

Here is a retype of the letter.



September 16, 2003

Dear Mr. Munoz,

Thank you for inquiring about my position on calls for a full investigation into the intelligence information used to support the United States' war against Iraq.

I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 2625 which would establish an independent commission to examine the Administration's assessment and interpretation of the treat Iraq may have posed to United States interests. I opposed the initial resolution authorizing military action in Iraq in part because I did not believe that Congress and the American people had bee sufficiently informed about that threat.

An overwhelming majority of residents of our district opposed unilateral military action. I had hoped that the President would continue to work with our international partners to bring the Iraqi government in compliance with United Nations sanctions. I am cautiously optimistic about recent announcements that the Administration is seeking multilateral support for the effort to rebuild Iraq, for the sake of our own soldiers there as well as the Iraqi people.

I remain concerned, however, that assumptions made prior to the war were reached via a structurally flawed intelligence gathering system. Unless we know how and why the Administration's choices were made this time we risk taking other unjustified military actions in the future. I support a full accounting of why the President and others in the Administration were so sure of their evidence and whether the failure to garner more support from our international partners affect the integrity of our intelligence.

I believe that H.R. 2625 is a good first step at getting to the truth in this matter. We owe the nearly 300 American soldiers who have died in Iraq thus far at least this much.

Again, thanks for contacting me. Please stay in touch.



XAVIER BECERRA



Member of Congress