Freshman House Democrats Who Stood With Russ To End The War  While the American people have demanded immediate action to redeploy our troops out of Iraq, too many in Congress have failed to heed our call.  However, there are a number of Democrats in Congress that supported Russ's efforts to end one of the greatest mistakes in the history of our country. These members voted for HR. 2237 - McGovern Amendment (Roll #330 on May 10, 2007).  This amendment would provide for the immediate redeployment of our troops out of Iraq to begin within 90 days and be completed within 180 days after enactment, in addition to prohibiting any future funds from being used to further deploy U.S. forces to Iraq unless specifically authorized by Congress. Below are 20 freshman Democrats who stood with Russ.  Click here to help the Progressive Patriots Fund raise $20,000 so that we can stand with them and contribute $1,000 to each of these distinguished Democrats.     Michael Arcuri (NY-24) ...Prior to being elected to Congress, Michael served four terms as the Oneida County District Attorney, taking an active role in prosecuting crime and working with local law enforcement to reduce the violent crime in his community.  Michael is committed to honoring our veterans and troops serving around the world, working to increase funding for veterans' health care and for increased oversight of VA hospitals. Michael supports a responsible strategy for the redeployment of our troops out of Iraq... http://www.arcuriforcongress.com/     Bruce Braley (IA-1) ...Before being elected to Congress, Bruce was an attorney in Waterloo, working to hold corporations accountable to their employees and consumers.  Bruce represented employees who challenged dangerous safety standards and fought for people who lost their jobs due to corporate downsizing.  Bruce believes that our foreign policy in Iraq is headed in the wrong direction and is in need of a change. It is time that Congress exercise oversight in the Iraq mess and push for a new direction, not more of the same... www.brucebraley.com/     Steve Cohen (TN-9) ...Prior to being elected to Congress, Steve spent 24 years in the Tennessee State Senate, working to create the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program which has provided over $800 million to college students. Steve believes that "the best way to keep our troops safe is to bring them out of the line of fire and away from the occupation in Iraq...I support a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq..." http://www.cohenforcongress.com/     Joe Courtney (CT-2) ...As state legislator, Joe took up the fight for better health care. As Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Universal Health Insurance, Courtney was instrumental in proposing reforms that resulted in increased access and better health care for all Connecticut citizens.  After being elected in 2006, Joe has worked tirelessly to hold the President accountable for his failed policies and to change our nation's course in Iraq... http://www.joecourtney.com/     Keith Ellison (MN-20) ...For sixteen years, Keith served his community as the executive director of the Legal Rights Center and in 2004 became a strong advocate to protect children from dangerous pesticides and promoted legislation to raise the state's minimum wage in the Minnesota State Legislature.  In Congress, Keith supports our troops by working to end the occupation of Iraq and by bringing them safely home as soon as possible.  Keith supports clear timetables that will accomplish the redeployment of our troops out of Iraq... http://www.keithellison.org     Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-20) ...Before running for Congress, Kirsten served as Special Counsel to the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton.  Following her federal service, Kirsten worked in the private sector, representing abused women and their children as well as tenants seeking safe housing after lead paint and unsafe conditions proved their homes uninhabitable.  Since being elected to Congress, Kirsten has supported using Congress's 'power of the purse' to end this administration's disastrous Iraq-centric foreign policy... http://kirstengillibrand.com/     John Hall (NY-19) (Winner Pick a Progressive Patriot: House Incumbents) ...John Hall was a small business owner and musician who co-founded the popular band Orleans. He has worked for decades as a political and environmental activist, recently as a Board member of the non-profit Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc.  John recognizes the challenges our brave service men and women have faced and it is his firm belief that the best way to support them is to redeploy them out of Iraq... www.johnhallforcongress.com     Philip Hare (IL-17) ...For nearly 24 years, Phil worked on behalf of his neighbors as Rep. Lane Evans' District Director. Whether helping constituents solve their problems, to mediating labor disputes or furthering Democratic principles, Phil has always sought to help the people his district.  Phil believes President Bush's refusal to provide an honest assessment of the reality on the ground in Iraq has left our troops refereeing a civil war with no end in sight.  Phil believes that while our troops won the war, it is now time for the Iraqi government to win the peace... http://www.friendsofphilhare.com/     Paul Hodes (NH-2) ...Paul first served as an Assistant Attorney General in New Hampshire, ultimately becoming Special Prosecutor for the State. Paul believes that the best way we can support our troops is by providing a new direction in Iraq, and is a strong ally in our efforts to redeploy our troops out of Iraq... http://www.hodesforcongress.com/     Steve Kagen (WI-8) ...Steve earned his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and quickly established himself as one of the top allergists in the nation.  Steve has served as an assistant clinical professor of Allergy-Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin and was honored in 2005 by the EPA with a Children's Environmental Health Recognition Award for his creation of a school-based health education program that protects children from environmental risks.  Since being elected to Congress, Steve has been a strong opponent of the war in Iraq and has worked to redeploy our troops out of Iraq... http://www.kagen4congress.com     Ron Klein (FL-22) ...During his tenure in the Florida State House, Ron built an impressive reputation for his work on a variety of issues which included technology, criminal justice, healthcare and education. Ron sought a ban on assault weapons, streamlined the capital punishment appeals process and created the Task Force on Geriatric Medicine.  Elected to Congress in 2006, Ron believes that it is time to implement a safe redeployment of our troops out of Iraq and that we must focus on the real threats of terrorism... http://www.ronklein2006.com/     David Loebsack (IA-2) ...Dave is a leader and grassroots activist in education, human rights and economic justice.  Prior to being elected to Congress, Dave taught political science at Cornell College, serving as the chair of the department.  Dave believes that our troops have laid the groundwork for the Iraqi people to construct a political system and that our continued presence brings more instability to the region. www.loebsackforcongress.org/     Chris Murphy (CT-5) ...Murphy has served eight years in the Connecticut General Assembly, the past four as Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee. His work there has been guided by his fundamental belief that everyone, regardless of income, race, employment status or ethnicity, deserves quality, affordable health care.  Chris has stood strong is his efforts to provide our troops better equipment and protection over seas and at home, working to provide ongoing health care and other services once they return.  The underlying issue for Chris has always been that this administration sent our troops to Iraq with no plan to bring an end to our presence... http://www.murphyforcongress.org/     Patrick Murphy (PA-8) ...Patrick is an Iraq War veteran, former West Point professor, criminal prosecutor, and most importantly, a good family man. Murphy learned at an early age that hard work, sacrifice, and focus will lead you to achieve your dreams.  In Congress, Patrick has introduced binding legislation that would have begun the redeployment of our troops by May 1st, 2007.  Patrick also introduced legislation that would bring much needed oversight over private contractors in Iraq... http://murphy08.com/     Ed Perlmutter (CO-7) ...Working as a laborer on construction projects, Ed put himself through law school and eventually became a State Senator where he led the fight for Democratic control in 2000.  Ed firmly believes that the number one challenge facing our nation is the war in Iraq.  Ed was against the invasion in the beginning and believes that regardless of why we went in the first place, the number one priority must be the safe and immediate redeployment of our troops out of Iraq... http://www.perlmutterforcolorado.com/     Joe Sestak (PA-7) ...Joe's career certainly qualifies him to speak with authority on defense security, but his work with sailors has given him a profound sense of domestic issues as well. His message is simply that National Security begins at home, in the health, education and economic security of our citizens -- but that these securities are being eroded by the policies of this Administration.  Joe has worked to redeploy our troops out of Iraq as he believes we must finish what we started in Afghanistan and put an end to the Al-Qaeda leadership that attacked us... http://www.sestakforcongress.com/     Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1) ...Carol worked her way through the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Social Services and later a Master's in Public Administration, by holding jobs in factories, hotels, and restaurants. These experiences gave her a deep understanding of how the decisions made in Washington determine the security, the health and the economic opportunities of American families everywhere.  Carol stands strong in her belief that we must redeploy out of Iraq and work with other nations to stabilize Iraq... http://www.carolforcongress.com/     Tim Walz (MN-1) ...Tim Walz has dedicated his life to serving his country. Command Sergeant Major Walz has a proven record of leadership and dedicated service as a 24 year veteran in the Army National Guard, a high school teacher, and a director of student exchanges to China.  In Congress, Tim recognizes that we must increase the support we provide for our veterans once they return home.  Tim has also been a strong advocate for the redeployment of our troops out of Iraq... http://www.timwalz.org/     Peter Welch (VT) ...As President Pro Tem of the Vermont Senate, Peter Welch has seen first hand the damage done by Republican leadership in Washington. Peter has spent his life in public service, fighting discrimination in Chicago and serving as a legislative leader, lawyer and advocate for the under-represented.  In Congress, Peter has championed the desperate need for increased funding for our veterans once they return home.  Peter has also been a strong critic of the war, working tirelessly to use Congress's 'power of the purse' to redeploy out of Iraq... http://www.welchforcongress.com/     John Yarmuth (KY-3) ...John has spent the majority of his career in publishing and spent a brief time working on Capital Hill as a Legislative Aid.  John founded and was the editor the Louisville Eccentric Observer, a free weekly newsletter with a circulation of 150,000 people.  Since being elected to Congress, John believes we must act immediately to begin the safe redeployment of our troops out of Iraq in order to focus our resources on fighting the real threats of terrorism... http://www.yarmuthforcongress.com/