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Bill Would Require Congress Approval to Increase US Troops in Iraq
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A top Senate Democrat introduced legislation that would require US
President George W. Bush to get congressional approval before sending
additional US troops to Iraq.
In a statement, the office of Senator Chris Dodd said the original US
military mission in Iraq, which Congress authorized in 2002, "has
been radically transformed by events in the region," and that Bush
therefore must seek an entirely new authorization from the US legislature
before expanding it.
Dodd, a Democratic candidate for the 2008 presidential election,
proposed his bill after Bush unveiled last week plans to send 21,500 more
soldiers to Iraq -- a move which has been met with fierce opposition from
Democrats in Congress.
Democratic leaders of both chambers of the US legislature were also
weighing a symbolic bill condemning the troop increase.
Democrats took control of the House and Senate in January, two months
after their election victory, which was largely attributed to voter anger
over the Republican administration's handling of the war.
In his statement, Dodd, who said Congress authorization of the Iraq war
more than four years ago is now "moot and irrelevant," said his
bill would cap the number of US troops in Iraq at 130,000.
Meanwhile, senior Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy continued to promote
draft legislation requiring Bush to get congressional approval before
receiving additional funding for troops in Iraq.
And in the House, liberal Democratic representatives Lynn Woolsey,
Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters introduced
a bill calling for a complete withdrawal of US forces from Iraq within
six months.
They said their bill, dubbed "The Bring the Troops Home and Iraq
Sovereignty Restoration Act," would repeal congressional
authorization for the use of force in Iraq.
The lawmakers called their legislation a "comprehensive
alternative to the administration's 'New Way Forward'" bolstering US
forces in Iraq.
Their bill also would also force the withdrawal from Iraq of US
military contractors, and would prohibit permanent US military bases
there, while continuing economic and political aid to the country.
C |
Bring
Our Troops Home and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act of 2007
Washington, DC - Joined by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Maxine
Waters (D-CA), Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) today introduced the
Bring Our Troops Home and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act of 2007, sweeping
legislation, which would establish a 6-month timeframe for withdrawal for all US
military forces from Iraq, provide a framework for bringing stability back to
Iraq, and fully fund the VA health care system. The proposal is a direct
response to President Bush’s challenge over the weekend for those who oppose
his planed escalation to put forth a plan of their own. Woolsey introduced
the bill during a press conference held this afternoon in the Capitol.
Below are her remarks, as prepared for delivery:
“Today Congresswomen Waters and Lee and I are introducing a bill that would
bring our troops home from Iraq within a six month timeframe.
“The Bring Our Troops Home and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act is the
first comprehensive legislative proposal to end the occupation and provide a
framework to help bring stability back to Iraq.
“Last Wednesday night, President Bush demonstrated to the world that he
continues to remain blind to the realities on the ground in Iraq.
Instead of putting forth a plan that would withdraw our troops, the President
is increasing our military presence, by escalating the number of troops by
over twenty thousand. What President Bush fails to grasp is that our
military presence is only fueling the insurgency, plunging Iraq further into
chaos and civil war.
“The results of November 7th showed just how fed up the American public is
with the President’s failed Iraq policy. It is time to honor that
mandate. It is now up to the Congress to catch up with the will of the
American public.
“During his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Bush challenged
those of us who disagree with him to offer a plan of our own. Today, we
stand before you, and the American public, to take up his challenge.
“The Congress has already appropriated funding that will support our troops
and keep this occupation going for at least another six months. That
funding instead should be used to finance an aggressive withdrawal plan that
brings our troops home to their families. Our bill would do exactly
that.
“Our plan will also…
1. Withdraw all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq within six
months from date of enactment.
2. Prohibit any further funding to deploy, or continue to deploy U.S.
troops in Iraq. The bill does, however, allow for funding to be used, as
needed, to ensure a safe withdrawal of all US military personnel and
contractors, diplomatic consultations. Funding may also be used for the
increased training and equipping of Iraqi and international security forces.
3. Accelerate, during the six month transition, training of a permanent
Iraqi security force.
4. Authorize, if requested by the Iraqi government, U.S. support for an
international stabilization force. Such a force would be funded for no
longer than two years, and be combined with economic and humanitarian
assistance.
5. Guarantee full health care funding, including mental health, for U.S.
veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts.
“In addition the bill would:
6. Rescind the Congressional Authorization for the War in Iraq.
7. Prohibit the construction of permanent US military bases in the
country.
8. Finally, we believe that Iraqi oil belongs to the Iraqis. Once
the oil is in the international market, the U.S. will certainly have access to
our share. That’s why our bill ensures that the U.S. has no long-term
control over Iraqi oil.
“Our plan, with the exception of Veterans’ benefits, will cost the
American people pennies on the dollar as compared to continuing the occupation
for two more years. It will save lives, bodies, and minds, and it will
give Iraq back to the Iraqis. It is an important step in regaining our
credibility in the region and throughout the world, and provides the
President, and this Congress, with a comprehensive way to respond to the
majority of Americans who want our troops to come home.”
This bill is co-sponsored by: Barbara Lee (CA), Maxine Waters (CA), Diane
Watson (CA), James McGovern (MA), Barney Frank (MA), Raul Grijalva (AZ), Chaka
Fattah (PA), Jerrold Nadler (NY), John Conyers Jr. (MI), Wm. Lacy Clay (MO),
Steve Cohen (TN), Maurice Hinchey (NY), Bob Filner (CA), Dennis Kucinich (OH),
Donald Payne (NJ) and Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX).