FEINGOLD CONTINUES TO PUSH CONGRESS TO USE ITS POWER
TO END THE OPEN-ENDED MISSION IN IRAQ
Legislation Would Safely Redeploy Troops by June 30, 2008, After
Which Funding for Ongoing Military Operations In Iraq Would End
September 19, 2007
Washington, D.C. – The Senate is expected to debate and vote
as early as today on revised legislation by Senator Feingold to end
the open-ended military mission in Iraq. Feingold’s legislation,
cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, would use the power
of the purse to force the President to redeploy U.S. troops out of Iraq
by June 30, 2008, with a few narrow exceptions, after which funding
for the current military operation would end. The legislation, which
would require that redeployment begin no later than 90 days from enactment,
is similar to the bill Feingold introduced earlier this year with Majority
Leader Reid and which received the support of most Senate Democrats.
The legislation would ensure US troops are redeployed from Iraq in a
safe and secure manner.
“Over and over, we have heard members of Congress saying we should
wait until September before finally changing course in Iraq,”
Feingold said. “Now, the President, and some members here in Congress,
still want to keep a large number of our brave troops bogged down in
Iraq indefinitely, while al Qaeda continues to strengthen and regenerate
itself in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. The American people
are as determined as ever to end this disastrous war. If Congress fails
to end this mistake, it won’t be because we don’t have the
power -- it will be because we don’t have the will.”
Under the Feingold-Reid legislation, funding for the current mission
would not be terminated until after troops have been safely redeployed
out of Iraq by June 30, 2008. During a congressional hearing earlier
this year, former U.S. Solicitor General Walter Dellinger testified
that “there would not be one less penny for supplies or support”
under this approach and that it would simply result in the redeployment
of U.S. troops out of Iraq. In order to make absolutely clear that the
safety and security of U.S. troops is paramount, the new legislation
stipulates that it will not prevent troops from receiving training or
supplies “to ensure, maintain, or improve their safety and security.”
The new legislation also includes narrower exceptions than the previous
version to prevent the President leaving substantial numbers of troops
in Iraq. In particular, the legislation permits U.S. troops to continue
training Iraqis but only if that training does not involve U.S. troops
taking part in combat operations with, or being embedded with, Iraqi
forces. The legislation also allows targeted U.S. counterterrorism operations
against al Qaeda and its affiliates.
Feingold’s legislation reads:
(a) TRANSITION OF MISSION.--The President shall promptly transition
the mission of the United States Armed Forces in Iraq to the limited
and temporary purposes set forth in subsection (d).
(b) COMMENCEMENT OF SAFE, PHASED REDEPLOYMENT FROM IRAQ.--The President
shall commence the safe, phased redeployment of members of the United
States Armed Forces from Iraq who are not essential to the limited and
temporary purposes set forth in subsection (d). Such redeployment shall
begin not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, and shall be carried out in a manner that protects the safety and
security of United States troops.
(c) USE OF FUNDS.--No funds appropriated or otherwise made available
under any provision of law may be obligated or expended to continue
the deployment in Iraq of members of the United States Armed Forces
after June 30, 2008.
(d) EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED AND TEMPORARY PURPOSES.--The prohibition
under subsection (c) shall not apply to the obligation or expenditure
of funds for the following limited and temporary purposes:
(1) To conduct targeted operations, limited in duration and scope,
against members of al Qaeda and affiliated international terrorist organizations.
(2) To provide security for United States government personnel and
infrastructure.
(3) To provide training to members of the Iraqi Security Forces who
have not been involved in sectarian violence or in attacks upon the
United States Armed Forces, provided that such training does not involve
members of the United States Armed Forces taking part in combat operations
or being embedded with Iraqi forces.
(4) To provide training, equipment or other materiel to members of
the United States Armed Forces to ensure, maintain, or improve their
safety and security.
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