Progressive Dems to Introduce 'Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act'

Update: Rep. Lynn Woolsey Introduces "Bring Our Troops Home and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act"

Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey's letter to her Congressional colleagues lays out the proposed legislation to be announced in today's press conference...

Cosponsor the "Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act"
Dear Colleague: Last night, the President addressed the Nation and called for an escalation of troops in the occupation of Iraq when a majority of Americans and men and women in uniform oppose continuing the occupation and are looking for a plan to bring our troops home.

On Tuesday, I will introduce the "Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act." This bill fulfills the mandate to end the occupation of Iraq, while strengthening the Iraqi government and meeting the needs of our returning troops. The bill will:

* end the occupation of Iraq
* accelerate the training and equipping of Iraqi military and security forces;
* pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy (more - including summary)

* take all appropriate measures to account for missing U.S. soldiers or citizens in Iraq

* fully fund the commitment to our returning veterans

* turn security activities and military operations in Iraq over to the elected Iraqi government within 6 months of the date of enactment

The situation in Iraq is getting worse each day. It is clear that we cannot provide security to Iraqis in the middle of a civil war. Whether we voted to support the invasion of Iraq or not, we can now unite behind a comprehensive plan to bring peace and stability to the region.

Our most solemn obligation is to the brave and capable men and women who have been placed in harm's way. We need to bring them home to their families and fulfill our obligation to them. This legislation guarantees physical and mental health care for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts. It is the least we can do to show the gratitude of a grateful Nation.

I have included a summary of the legislation. For more information or to cosponsor the bill, please contact me or Jennifer Goedke (5-5161) in my office.

Sincerely,

LYNN WOOLSEY
Member of Congress

KEY PROVISIONS:

THE BRING OUR TROOPS HOME AND IRAQ SOVEREIGNTY RESTORATION ACT

Declares it to be U.S. policy to: (1) end the occupation of Iraq; (2) accelerate the training and equipping of Iraqi military and security forces; (3) pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy; (4) help preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq as a nation state; (5) take all appropriate measures to account for any missing U.S. soldiers or citizens in Iraq; and (6) turn over security activities and military operations in Iraq to the elected Iraqi government within 6 months of the date of enactment

Repeals 2002 law authorizing use of military force against Iraq

Accelerates U.S. assistance for training of a permanent Iraqi police force and neighborhood, village, and tribal home guards comprised of Iraqi citizens

Prohibits funding to deploy or continue to deploy U.S. troops in Iraq

Guarantees health care for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts

Withdraws all U.S. troops and military contractors in Iraq for return to the U.S. or redeployment outside of the Middle East within 6 months of date of enactment

Prohibits any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq

Authorizes, if requested by the Iraqi Government, U.S. support for replacement of U.S. troops/contractors with an international stabilization force to begin during the 6-month period for U.S. military disengagement from the date of enactment to stay no longer than 2 years

Prohibits U.S. participation in any long-term Iraqi oil production sharing agreements without open debate in Iraq and promulgation and enactment by the Iraqi National Assembly of new Iraqi law to govern investment, location, development, production, and marketing of Iraqi petroleum resources

Caps U.S. personnel in the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad at no more than 500 officials in coordination with dismantling of the Green Zone

Authorizes a wide array of non-military U.S. bilateral and multilateral assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq to the people of Iraq

Upon completion of U.S. military disengagement from Iraq, creates a bipartisan, joint select committee of Congress to be comprised of 18 House and Senate Members to be appointed by the Speaker and Senate Majority Leader, after consultation with and consideration of minority recommendations for appointments, and to report its final recommendations by December 31, 2008

Requires an independent audit of prior U.S. assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq plus comprehensive damage assessment and a report to Congress
h/t david on ADS