Press Release

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2008
Contact: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661

(Washington, DC) – As the nation enters the sixth year of the U.S. occupation in Iraq, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) has introduced a comprehensive package of legislation focused on offsetting the Iraq recession and fully funding the redeployment of U.S. troops and contractors from Iraq within one year.

“Five years ago the Bush administration misled the American people into believing there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; misled many to believe Iraq posed an imminent threat, and; misled the nation about a false connection between the tragic events of 911 and Saddam Hussein ,” said Congresswoman Lee. “As we enter the sixth year of the U.S. occupation in Iraq, the most important thing Congress can do is to end this disastrous occupation and finally bring our troops and contractors home. The consequences of the continued occupation are too great – We have already lost nearly 4,000 brave U.S. servicemen and women and more than 28,000 others have been wounded.”

The following is an overview of the bills:

H.R.5507 - Fully-Funded U.S. Military Redeployment and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act

The Fully-Funded U.S. Military Redeployment and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act, introduced by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), seeks to change the course of U.S. policy in Iraq and requires the redeployment of all U.S. troops and military contractors within one year. (February 2008)

H.Res.1028 (Status Of Forces Agreement Resolution)

In response to reports of secret negotiations by the Bush administration to reposition the Declaration of Principles with Iraq that was signed without Congressional approval, H.Res.1028 reasserts the constitutional process and makes it clear that any agreement, other than a treaty, requires congressional authority, approval, and appropriations. (March 2008)

H.RES.1019 (‘Iraq Recession’ Resolution)

This resolution makes a connection between the recession and the U.S. occupation in Iraq, formally acknowledging the ‘Iraq recession.’ (March 2008)

H.R.5128 (Declaration of Principles Bill)

H.R.5128 expressly disapproves of any formal agreement emerging from the Declaration of Principles that does not have the approval of both the House and Senate and makes it clear that the Iraqi Parliament should also have strict guidelines and a clear role from the Iraqi side in approving any such agreements. (February 2008)

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) is Co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, where she serves on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee, the State Foreign Operations Subcommittee and is Vice-Chair of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee.