Home Page
General Petraeus: Report to Congress on the Situation in Iraq
The Honorable Ryan C. Crocker: Prepared Statement
The Report of the Independent Commission on the Security Forces of Iraq (The Jones Report)
HR 3159
On August 2nd, the House passed
H.R. 3159,
Ensuring Military Readiness Through Stability and Predictability Deployment
Policy Act by a vote of
229-194. The bill
mandates troop rest times equal to their deployment times, similar to an
amendment by Senator Jim Webb, D-Va supported by 56 Senators as an amendment to
the defense authorization bill.
It would require active duty forces to be guaranteed that their time at home
match the length of their deployment. National Guard and reservists would be
home for three times the length of the deployments. The bill would allow the
President to waive these requirements to meet the national security needs of the
country, and allow Service Chiefs of Staff to allow for the voluntary
mobilization of members. These requirements would apply to those serving in
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The bill also expresses a sense of the Congress that the goal for the time
between deployments for regular components should be one year deployed to two
years at home station, and the goal for the reserve components should be one
year deployed to five years at home station.
On July 25th, the House passed
H.R. 2929,
Banning Permanent U.S. Bases in Iraq. This bill states that it is the policy of
the United States not to establish any military installation or base for the
purpose of providing a permanent stationing of United States Armed Forces in
Iraq. It also states that it is the policy of the United States not to exercise
U.S. control of the oil resources of Iraq. The measure bars the use of any funds
provided by any law from being used to carry out any policy that contradicts
these statements of policy.
The Congress has passed provisions earlier
banning permanent bases in Iraq – but those provisions expire on September 30,
2007. Congress has made clear in the last couple of years that there
should be no permanent U.S. bases in Iraq. For example, the FY 2007 Defense
Appropriations bill contained provisions that bar the establishment of permanent
U.S. bases in Iraq. However, these provisions will expire on September 30,
2007. The advantage of enacting H.R. 2929 is that there would then be a
permanent ban, written into statute, against the establishment of permanent
bases in Iraq.
H.R.2956
Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that:
(1) the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002
authorized the President to use the Armed Forces as appropriate to defend U.S.
national security against the continuing threat posed by the government of Iraq
at the time; (2) the government of Iraq which was in power at that time has been
removed; (3) the current Iraqi government does not pose a threat to the United
States; and (4) after more than four years of efforts by members of the Armed
Forces and U.S. civilians, the government of Iraq must now be responsible for
Iraq's future course.
Directs the Secretary of Defense to commence the reduction of the number of
Armed Forces in Iraq beginning no later than 120 days after the enactment of
this Act and complete the reduction and transition to a limited presence in Iraq
by no later than April 1, 2008
Directs the President, by January 1, 2008, to transmit to the congressional
defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees a comprehensive U.S.
strategy for Iraq. Requires the President to update such strategy no later than
July 1, 2008, and every 90 days thereafter, including a description of the
number of Armed Forces deployed to Iraq and the missions for which they are so
deployed. Vote:
H.R. 2956
HR 2206
On May 2nd, the President vetoed the Iraq Accountability Act which supported our troops, honored the sacrifices of our veterans, and held the Iraqis accountable. It had the support of a majority in the Congress and the support of the American people. We hoped the President would treat this crucial legislation that would wind down this war with the respect it deserved. Instead, the President vetoed the bill outright, calling for a continued blank check for his failed policies in Iraq.
On May 10th, the House passed HR 2206, a revised Iraq Accountability Act, 221-205. This proposal splits the bill vetoed by the President into two pieces.
- HR 2206 - A bill that includes the defense spending and other domestic
spending from the vetoed bill. The bill fences $52.8 billion of the $95.5
billion provided to the Department of Defense until:
Reports: on or before July 13th, the President must submit to Congress reports on the progress the Iraqi government has made in meeting certain benchmarks and goals.
Votes: within 7 legislative days the Congress must vote on releasing the fenced off funds. There will be 2 votes – an amendment that would require the Department of Defense to use the fenced funds to redeploy troops from Iraq, and a vote on releasing the funds to the Pentagon.
- HR 2207- A bill that includes funding for the agricultural disasters package, wildfire suppression, Secure Rural Schools and Pacific Salmon as provided in the vetoed bill.
The bill includes benchmarks similar to those proposed by the President and included in the vetoed bill, and requires the President to report to Congress by July 13 on progress in meeting those benchmarks.
The President must report progress by the Government of Iraq in:
- Giving United States Armed Forces and Iraqi Security Forces the authority to pursue all extremists, including Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias
- Delivering necessary Iraqi Security Forces for Baghdad and protecting such Forces from political interference
- Intensifying efforts to build balanced security forces throughout Iraq that provide even-handed security for all Iraqis
- Ensuring that Iraq’s political authorities are not undermining or making false accusations against members of the Iraqi Security Forces
- Eliminating militia control of local security
- Establishing a strong militia disarmament program
- Ensuring fair and just enforcement of laws
- Establishing political, media, economic, and service committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan
- Eradicating safe havens
- Reducing the level of sectarian violence in Iraq
- Ensuring the rights of minority political parties in the Iraqi Parliament are protected.
The President must also report on whether specified goals actually have been accomplished by the Government of Iraq, including:
- Enacting a broadly accepted hydro-carbon law that equitably shares oil revenues among all Iraqis
- Adopting legislation necessary for the conduct of provincial and local elections, taking steps to implement such legislation, and setting a schedule to conduct provincial and local elections
- Reforming current laws governing the de-Baathification process to allow for more equitable treatment of individuals affected by such laws
- Amending the Constitution of Iraq consistent with the principles contained in Article 137 of such constitution
- Allocating and beginning expenditure of $10 billion in Iraqi revenues for reconstruction projects, including delivery of essential services, on an equitable basis
Vote: H.R. 2206
Summary of HR 2206 - The Fiscal 2007 Supplemental Funding Legislation - May 24, 2007
The House and Senate voted to approve legislation providing $119.995 billion primarily for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, for improving the health care for returning soldiers and veterans, for continued Hurricane Katrina recovery for the Gulf Coast, to fill major gaps in homeland security, and to provide emergency drought relief for farmers.
Overall, the agreement provides:
• $99.5 billion for the Defense Department, primarily for continued military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation includes a $1 billion increase for the National Guard and Reserve equipment and $1.1 billion for military housing. The supplemental legislation provides $3 billion ($1.2 billion more than the President’s request) for the purchase of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP) -- vehicles designed to withstand roadside bombs.
• $4.8 billion to ensure that troops and veterans receive the health care that they have earned with their service.
• $6.4 billion to rebuild the Gulf Coast and help the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
• Emergency funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) totals more than $650 million.
• Homeland security investments total more than $1 billion, including funds for port security and mass transit security, for explosives detection equipment at airports, and for several initiatives in the 9/11 bill that recently passed the Senate.
• $3 billion is provided to help relieve the enormous pressure on farmers and ranchers as a result of severe drought and agricultural disasters.
The vote in the House came in the form of two amendments:
The first contains the minimum wage increase and $17 billion of the $21 billion that originally sought to respond to crucial national needs (does not contain low income energy assistance or flu pandemic funding.)
The second amendment contains the President’s military request and Senator Warner's rather weak benchmarks for Iraqi progress in achieving self-sufficiency.
Link to Roll Call Matrix #424 for HR 2206 Amendment #1 May 24, 2007
Link to Roll Call Matrix #425 for HR 2206 Amendment #2 May 24, 2007
H.R.2237: To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and
defense contractors from Iraq. May 10, 2007
Sponsor: Rep. James P. McGovern
Requires the Secretary of Defense: (1) within 90 days after the enactment of
this Act, to commence the redeployment of units and members of the Armed
Forces (U.S. forces) deployed in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and
defense contractors operating in Iraq and funded using amounts appropriated to
the Department of Defense (DOD); and (2) to complete such redeployment within
180 days after its commencement.
Prohibits the use of DOD funds to increase the number of U.S. forces serving
in Iraq in excess of the number of U.S. forces serving in Iraq as of January
1, 2007, unless specifically authorized by Congress.
Authorizes the Secretary to retain in Iraq U.S. forces for: (1) providing
security for embassy and diplomatic missions; (2) protecting American
citizens; (3) serving in roles consistent with diplomatic positions; (4)
engaging in targeted special actions of killing or capturing members of
al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations with global reach; and (5) training
and equipping members of the Iraqi Security Forces.
Makes funds immediately available to plan and execute a redeployment of U.S.
forces and defense contractors from Iraq.
Requires the President to transfer to the government of Iraq all right, title,
and interest held by the United States in any military facility in Iraq that
was constructed, repaired, or improved using amounts appropriated to DOD and
occupied by U.S. forces.
Prohibits any funds from being used to further deploy U.S. forces to Iraq
after completion of the redeployment, unless specifically authorized by
Congress.
Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed to: (1) restrict the
locations outside of Iraq to which U.S. forces redeployed from Iraq may be
transferred; (2) prohibit or otherwise restrict the use of funds available to
DOD for the purpose of providing financial assistance or equipment to the
Iraqi Security Forces or multinational forces providing security or training
in Iraq at the request of the government of Iraq; (3) prohibit or otherwise
restrict the use of funds available to any department or agency of the United
States (other than DOD) to carry out diplomatic, social, and economic
reconstruction activities in Iraq at the request of the government of Iraq;
and (4) prohibit or otherwise restrict the authority of the President to
arrange asylum or other means of protection for Iraqi citizens who might be
physically endangered by the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq.
Link to Roll Call Matrix #330 for HR2237 May 10, 2007
Statement of Congressman Danny K. Davis, February 13, 2007
Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to thank Speaker Pelosi for providing what we never had in the last session, and that is ample opportunity to fully discuss Iraq, where we are and what we ought to be doing about it.
I have always been told that when you start with a faulty premise, you will inevitably reach a faulty conclusion. And the rationale given for entering the war was faulty. There were no weapons of mass destruction, no connection to 9/11. Therefore, we never should have invaded Iraq in the first place.
But then after the invasion, the occupation of Iraq has been tragically mismanaged. Civilian military leadership ignored the advice of senior commanders on requirements for preventing chaos in the aftermath of the invasion. As a result, our extended presence in Iraq continues to worsen the situation, not only in Iraq, but in the entire region.
Terrorist incidents continue to flare up around the world, from England to Spain, from Indonesia to Jordan. Chaos and intolerance in the form of civil war now has secured a deadly grip on Iraq. The policy of escalation has failed, and failed again, to loosen that horrendous grip. The Iraqi people want us to leave, and so do the American people, especially those in my congressional district, and especially those that I encounter at churches, schools, synagogues, town hall meetings and on the street.
Madam Speaker, democracy and self-government cannot be imposed on Iraq by any foreign power, including us, the United States of America. Our troops have done everything we have asked of them, even when we have failed to equip and protect them. The problem does not lie with our troops, but with the distorted world view of this administration and the military and diplomatic doctrine of preemptive war as a solution to global political problems.
We must do everything possible to protect our troops and we must do everything in our power to take care of them when they return home.
It is impossible, Madam Speaker, to build a coalition against terrorism by attempting to unilaterally impose these doctrines on the international community. We cannot undo the many mistakes which have been made in Iraq. And when our national interests have been so distorted, when we have so lost our direction, it is the historical, moral, and constitutional responsibility of this Congress to set us back on course and on the right track.
It is time to recognize that we are enmeshed in an unending, vicious circle of escalating violence, rather than a force for peace, and that is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 508, which would bring the force of law to end this war.
Today we have before us a nonbinding resolution, HConRes 63, most likely insufficient to end the occupation. But it can help to move us in the right direction and set us on the right path. Therefore, I support this resolution, because it reflects the will and interests of the American people, and I trust that this administration will abandon demagogic calls for constantly changing notions of success and victory and awaken to the world of reality.
Madam Speaker, it is time, it is past time, to bring our troops home. I am told that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting different results. This resolution sets us on the right course, gives us the right direction. I urge its passage.
Link to Roll Call Matrix #99 for HConRes 63, February 16, 2007
Statement of Congressman Danny K. Davis, October 15, 2003
Above: Congressman Davis speaking at Congressional Black Caucus Press Conference, October 15, 2003 on the $87 Billion Supplemental Appropriation
The sucking sound of U.S. jobs leaving for low wage havens abroad is now being supplemented by the even more ominous sound of U.S. boots being drawn into the quagmire of occupying Iraq. The horrific reports surrounding the treatment of prisoners at Abu Ghraib have forced every American to focus on the consequences of our occupation of Iraq. New revelations demand that Congress examine the responsibilities of the chain of command all the way up to the Secretary of Defense. I have joined the Congressional Black Caucus and others in calling for the resignation of Secretary Rumsfeld.
It is no coincidence that on the morning of April 28 a Department of Justice attorney representing Defense Secretary Rumsfeld was arguing before the Supreme Court that the United States should have the right to imprison a U.S. citizen indefinitely, without legal representation or any other contact with society based on a "Presidential determination." That same evening came the first news reports of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. There remain serious questions about the impact of some provisions of the Patriot Act on basic notions of our democracy.
I voted against authorizing the invasion and occupation of Iraq. In public statements at the time (3/17/2003) I noted:
"I remain unconvinced that war is the necessary or best alternative to remove the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction from Iraq. I do not believe that military action will bring stability to Iraq or the Middle East. I do not believe that war with Iraq will reduce the threat of terrorism to the people of the United States. I do not believe that pre-emptive unilateral military action provides the legal, moral, ideological or social basis for expanding democracy, freedom, human rights or economic and social justice."
"I believe that war with Iraq will make it more difficult to find effective, multi-lateral, non-military solutions to the many and growing challenges and dangers we face in the international arena. I believe that war with Iraq, and its aftermath, will come at great cost to our nation. There is still time, still a chance, to pull back from the brink of war and to move forward with a determined strategy of collective action and international solidarity to end the threats of Weapons of Mass Destruction and terrorism."
"I have no doubt that America will prevail militarily. However, as we press forward with this war I remain mindful of the terrible human tragedy facing the people of Iraq and of the inherent inability of this war to achieve our goals of ensuring the safety of our homeland and the American people. The problem of Weapons of Mass Destruction will continue to confront us on many fronts. I expect that we will be faced with ever more complex and difficult circumstances in bringing peace and stability to Iraq and the entire Mideast region. It is my hope and expectation that we will redouble our efforts to seek collective, non-military solutions to these critical issues."
These statements still reflect my views. As reports of the circumstances surrounding the events of September 11, 2001 and the subsequent response of government, my focus is on pressing for real and immediate alternatives to current policy. While the great, overwhelming majority of our men and women in uniform have done everything requested of them, some of our nation’s most respected military leaders including Retired Generals Anthony Zinni, Norman Schwarzkopf, Wesley Clark, and Eric Shinseki, have joined in harsh criticism of the lead-up, planning and strategy of the war.
No less troubling are the slowly emerging plans for Iraqi "sovereignty." There are deep concerns about the legitimacy of the interim government, over the control of the Iraqi army, police and paramilitary forces, over the development of the Iraqi oil industry, over the freedom of the print and electronic media and a host of other questions. The Iraq quagmire is taking the lives and bodies of our young men and women, more than 800 of our finest young people have died in the war to date. Thousands more have been wounded requiring and deserving the finest medical care our country can offer, they will require assistance from our Veterans Administration in future years. I hope Congress will do everything necessary to meet the needs of our veterans.
How the members of Congress voted on the $87 billion Supplemental Appropriations bill:
Click here for Roll Call Matrix #562 - October 17, 2003
How the members of Congress voted on the authorization to go to war in Iraq:
Click here for Roll Call Matrix #455 - October 10, 2002
Listen to Congressman Davis deliver the weekly Congressional Black Caucus address to America on the issue of the Iraq Supplemental Appropriation, October 17, 2003 (Time: 2:51):
Congressman Davis radio address in MP3 (high quality) format
Congressman Davis radio address in Real Audio (low quality) format
What is the cost of the War in Iraq?
This page last updated: 09/12/2007
