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News from Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
For Immediate Release
Contact: Russ Levsen, 202-226-4449
Chip Weiskotten, 202-226-8553

HERSETH SANDLIN: WE NEED A BIPARTISAN WAY FORWARD IN IRAQ

Joins Group of 14 Democrats and 14 Republicans to Sign Bipartisan Agreement

September 27, 2007, Washington D.C. – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin this week joined a bipartisan effort to break the partisan gridlock on Iraq. Rep. Herseth Sandlin is one of 14 Democrats joining 14 Republicans to sign the compact, which is comprised of eight principles to help guide the House of Representatives away from political infighting and toward a bipartisan solution on Iraq.

Rep. Herseth Sandlin said, “Like many Americans, I’ve been frustrated that the debate about Iraq has been so partisan and so extreme. Some would like to have it be all or nothing, and choose between immediate withdrawal or staying the course; cutting off funding versus unlimited funds without accountability. I don’t think that serves our nation well, or the troops who are fighting in Iraq. And I am certain that it doesn’t help make any progress on the one goal everyone can agree on: figuring out a way to get our troops home safely as soon as is practically possible.”

She added, “We have so much to gain by focusing on policy areas where we agree, rather than escalating the political rhetoric. I think this compact represents a strong statement to both parties’ leadership that there can be a middle path forward.”

The compact sets out fundamental and common sense principles to guide the dialogue on Iraq. Text of the Compact is as follows:

• We agree that the U.S. Congress must end the political in-fighting over the conflict in Iraq and commit immediately to a truly bipartisan dialogue on the issues we are facing.
   
• We agree that efforts to eliminate funding for U.S. forces engaged in combat and in harm's way in Iraq would put at risk the safety and security of our service members.
   
• We agree that there must be a clearly defined and measurable mission for our continued military involvement in Iraq. This mission must be further and continually defined so that the military and the country are aware of the end goal of our mission in Iraq and what progress toward that goal is being achieved.
   
• We agree that the Government of Iraq must now be responsible for Iraq's future course. The Government must continue to make progress on the legislative benchmarks outlined in Section 1314 of the recent Supplemental Appropriations Act (PL110-28).
 

• We agree that it is critical for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components, to have adequate rest and recuperation periods between deployments.
   
• We agree that a safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, based on recommendations from our military and foreign policy leaders, is necessary to transition the combat mission over to the Iraqi forces.
   
• We agree that the continued military mission of U.S. combat forces must lead to a timely transition to conducting counterterrorism operations, protecting the U.S. Armed Forces, supporting and equipping Iraqi forces to take full responsibility for their own security, assisting refugees, and preventing genocide.
   
• We agree that U.S. diplomatic efforts should continue to be improved and that the U.S. State Department must engage in robust diplomacy with Iraq's neighbors in the Middle East to address the Iraq conflict.
 

The Compact is signed by the following Members of Congress:

Rep. John S. Tanner (D-TN) Rep. Michael N. Castle (R-DE) Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS) Rep. Thomas E. Petri (R-WI) Rep. Robert E. (Bud) Cramer, Jr. (D-AL) Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR) Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD) Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL) Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) Rep. Phil English (R-PA) Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX) Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS) Rep. Sue Wilkins Myrick (R-NC) Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) Rep. Timothy V. Johnson (R-IL) Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL) Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK) Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA) Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) Rep. Charles W. Dent (R-PA).

# # #

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin serves South Dakota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of moderate Democrats committed to fiscal discipline and strong national security, and is co-chair of the Rural Working Group, which is dedicated to raising the profile of issues important to rural America. She also serves on three committees vital to South Dakota’s interests: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and Natural Resources. In the 110th Congress, Rep. Herseth Sandlin was one of only 15 members appointed to serve on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.