McGovern's Bill to End the War - As Offered Today on House Floor - Talking Points

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http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/22346

McGovern's Bill to End the War - As Offered Today on House Floor - Talking Points
Submitted by davidswanson on Thu, 2007-05-10 14:58. Congress

Background and Talking Points on H.R. 2237
The Iraq Redeployment Act
May 10, 2007

Description of Bill:

 Compels the Drawdown of U.S. Troops to Begin within 90 Days. The bill would require the Secretary of Defense to begin the redeployment of members of the Armed Forces and contractors operating in Iraq within 90 days of the enactment of the legislation.
 Allows 180 Days to Complete Redeployment of U.S. Troops from Iraq. The bill would further require that the redeployment be completed within 180 days from the date it began, or within 270 days of the enactment of the legislation.
 Prohibits Any Funding of the Surge. The bill would expressly prohibit the use of any funds appropriated to the Department of Defense to increase the number of Armed Forces personnel serving in Iraq in excess of the number serving as of January 1, 2007.
 Protects Sound Military Decision-making Regarding Redeployment. The bill would leave the decision on the locations outside Iraq to which the U.S. troops should be redeployed to the commanders in the field.
 Protects U.S. Citizens in Iraq, Continues Robust Pursuit of Terrorists, and Trains Iraqi Forces. The bill would permit the continuing deployment in Iraq of Armed Forces personnel for limited purposes, including protection of the U.S. Embassy, U.S. diplomatic missions, and U.S. citizens in Iraq, engaging in targeted special operations limited to the pursuit of members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations with global reach, and training and equipping the Iraqi Security Forces.
 Prohibits Permanent Bases in Iraq. The bill would ensure against any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.
 Provides for a Safe and Stable Iraq. The bill would allow the continued funding of training for Iraqi Security Forces, support multinational forces engaged in security and stabilization efforts, provide for diplomatic, social and economic reconstruction activities in Iraq, and make asylum and other means of protection available to Iraqi citizens endangered by the redeployment.

Talking Points

H.R. 2237 significantly reduces the U.S. military presence in Iraq over a 9-month measured process. This bill will require that the Department of Defense begin redeployment of armed forces and military contractors no later than 90 days after the date of enactment, allowing the Defense Department the time necessary to plan, prepare and execute the process of drawing down troops. The redeployment would be completed within 6 months. Since the U.S. is reducing its military presence in Iraq, funding for an increased presence is no longer required.

H.R. 2237 does not abandon the Iraqi people. On the contrary, it recognizes the need to complete our mission to train Iraqi military forces and for specialized forces to continue to pursue al-Qaeda and other foreign terrorist networks working out of Iraqi territory – and it maintains our full array of non-military assistance for Iraq’s economic and political development. H.R. 2237 continues our Nation’s support for the Iraqi people by continuing assistance for social, political and diplomatic reconstruction. Additionally, at the request of the Iraqi government, support is permitted for assistance or equipment to the Iraqi Security Forces or multinational forces providing security or training in Iraq. Furthermore, U.S. military forces are authorized to remain in Iraq to complete the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces, pursuing foreign terrorist networks operating inside Iraq, and of course to provide protection to U.S. citizens and embassy and diplomatic personnel.

H.R. 2237 recognizes and respects Iraqi sovereignty. H.R. 2237 provides for the orderly transfer of authority over bases and facilities constructed or occupied by U.S. military by transferring the stewardship of these bases to Iraqi control. Nothing in this bill precludes the United States from negotiating base rights or shared use in the future, as we do with any other sovereign nation.

H.R. 2237 respects the decision-making powers of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. military commanders in the field in determining where forces leaving Iraq might next be deployed. H.R. 2237 specifically leaves such decisions where they belong, in the hands of the Pentagon. Troops drawn down from Iraq may be redeployed to neighboring countries, to Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom, to other U.S. bases abroad, or they may return to the United States in support of homeland security and other national needs.

H.R. 2237 provides balance between the security priorities of the United States and Iraq to complete key military missions, and the political imperative to reduce the presence of U.S. military forces inside Iraq. Poll after poll, study after study indicates that the large-scale presence of U.S. military forces inside Iraq is fueling, rather than abating, both the Iraqi insurgency and an increasing presence of foreign jihadists. Reducing our footprint in Iraq, while maintaining troops for critical training and anti-terrorist missions, provides Iraqis, its neighbors, and the international community with a new opportunity and a new dynamic to pursue reconciliation and a political solution to the violence currently rending Iraqi society.

[thereismore]

1. We have talking points now? nt

[ClassWarrior]

2. K&R - Let's show a unified front to our Reps! Call now!

NGU.