I said all along that Harry Reid was as concerned with withdrawal as folks like Feingold

[bigtree]

But some folks here were intent on using Feingold and his withdrawal plan as a wedge against the leadership's efforts to forge compromise legislation which would advance to Bush's desk. I argued that confronting Bush at his desk was important enough to try, but that it wouldn't be the last effort from our leadership to achieve a withdrawal from Iraq.

Now comes the report today that Harry Reid intends to co-sponsor Feingold's withdrawal plan and present it on the floor if Bush vetoes the compromise legislation as he's been threatening to do.

Time for the critics to find another wedge . . . or give the leadership some credit.


statements:

"I am pleased to cosponsor Senator Feingold’s important legislation," Reid said. "I believe it is consistent with the language included in the supplemental appropriations bill passed by a bipartisan majority of the Senate. If the President vetoes the supplemental appropriations bill and continues to resist changing course in Iraq, I will work to ensure this legislation receives a vote in the Senate in the next work period."

"I am delighted to be working with the Majority Leader to bring our involvement in the Iraq war to an end," Feingold said. "Congress has a responsibility to end a war that is opposed by the American people and is undermining our national security. By ending funding for the President’s failed Iraq policy, our bill requires the President to safely redeploy our troops from Iraq."


legislation:

(a) Transition of Mission - The President shall promptly transition the mission of United States forces in Iraq to the limited purposes set forth in subsection (d).

(b) Commencement of Safe, Phased Redeployment from Iraq - The President shall commence the safe, phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq that are not essential to the purposes set forth in subsection (d). Such redeployment shall begin not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) Prohibition on Use of Funds - No funds appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law may be obligated or expended to continue the deployment in Iraq of members of the United States Armed Forces after March 31, 2008.

(d) Exception for Limited Purposes - The prohibition under subsection (c) shall not apply to the obligation or expenditure of funds for the limited purposes as follows:

(1) To conduct targeted operations, limited in duration and scope, against members of al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations.

(2) To provide security for United States infrastructure and personnel.

(3) To train and equip Iraqi security services.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/4/2/85820/31816