NEW YORK - Operation Truth (www.optruth.org), the nation's largest, non-partisan group made up of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, is calling on the leadership of the United States Senate to hold hearings in the Armed Services Committee on the tenure of Donald Rumsfeld at the Department of Defense and hold a vote on confidence in him.

"Secretary Rumsfeld is getting a vote of 'no confidence' from a new member of Congress almost everyday," said Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq Veteran and Executive Director of Operation Truth. "We believe he should be given the chance to answer all the questions swirling around about his capability to lead. Afterwards, the determination should be made by the Senate as to whether they wish to reaffirm their vote of four years ago that this is the person who should be leading the Defense Department."

From issues of proper armor for the troops to the lack of planning and slow adjustment to new realities on the ground, Secretary Rumsfeld has come under heavy fire from the media, public officials, and military members and their families as the war has gone on. Following the much-reported town hall in Kuwait where the Secretary was challenged on the issue of armor for Humvees, Senators John McCain, Trent Lott, Chuck Hagel, Olympia Snowe, and Norm Coleman - all Republicans - have expressed 'no confidence' in the Secretary.

"We join with Specialist Wilson and the Republican Senators in having serious questions about the war's prosecution, but the President asked Secretary Rumsfeld to stay aboard, and that is his right under the Constitution. We will not challenge his decision by calling on him to fire the Secretary," said David Chasteen, an Iraq veteran and Advisory Board member for Operation Truth, and a Republican. "However, if Secretary Rumsfeld does not face tough questioning and gain a formal endorsement by our elected officials in the Senate, not only will public confidence in him continue to erode, but that sentiment will eventually seep down to our men and women in uniform as well."

"We're not looking to pile on, and as soldiers, we understand we don't pick our boss. This process is about responsibility and accountability, and examining the past four years of Secretary Rumsfeld's leadership at DoD. It is also about allowing the Secretary the chance to clear the air," said Raymond Kimball, Iraq veteran, member of Operation Truth, and a Republican. "For the Secretary, going through this process would be the only way to regain the confidence in him that he has lost as this war has gone on."