H. R. 508 -- comprehensive alternative to escalation

[Christine]

Who says the Dems don't have a plan!!!!

Woolsey takes up President Bush's Challenge on Iraq

January 17, 2007, Washington , DC

Introduces H. R. 508 -- comprehensive alternative to escalation: plan would bring all US troops home within 6-months


Joined by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Maxine Waters (D-CA), Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) today introduced the Bring Our Troops Home and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act of 2007, sweeping legislation, which would establish a 6-month timeframe for withdrawal for all US military forces from Iraq, provide a framework for bringing stability back to Iraq, and fully fund the VA health care system. The proposal is a direct response to President Bush's challenge over the weekend for those who oppose his planed escalation to put forth a plan of their own. Woolsey introduced the bill during a press conference held this afternoon in the Capitol. Below are her remarks, as prepared for delivery:

"Today Congresswomen Waters and Lee and I are introducing a bill that would bring our troops home from Iraq within a six month timeframe.

"The Bring Our Troops Home and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act is the first comprehensive legislative proposal to end the occupation and provide a framework to help bring stability back to Iraq.

"Last Wednesday night, President Bush demonstrated to the world that he continues to remain blind to the realities on the ground in Iraq. Instead of putting forth a plan that would withdraw our troops, the President is increasing our military presence, by escalating the number of troops by over twenty thousand. What President Bush fails to grasp is that our military presence is only fueling the insurgency, plunging Iraq further into chaos and civil war.

"The November elections showed just how fed up the American public is with the President's failed Iraq policy. It is time to honor that mandate. It is now up to the Congress to catch up with the will of the American public.

"During his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Bush challenged those of us who disagree with him to offer a plan of our own. Today, we stand before you, and the American public, to take up his challenge.

"The Congress has already appropriated funding that will support our troops and keep this occupation going for at least another six months. That funding instead should be used to finance an aggressive withdrawal plan that brings our troops home to their families. Our bill would do exactly that.

"Our plan will also...

Withdraw all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq within six months from date of enactment.
Prohibit any further funding to deploy, or continue to deploy U.S. troops in Iraq. The bill does, however, allow for funding to be used, as needed, to ensure a safe withdrawal of all US military personnel and contractors, diplomatic consultations. Funding may also be used for the increased training and equipping of Iraqi and international security forces.
Accelerate, during the six month transition, training of a permanent Iraqi security force.
Authorize, if requested by the Iraqi government, U.S. support for an international stabilization force. Such a force would be funded for no longer than two years, and be combined with economic and humanitarian assistance.
Guarantee full health care funding, including mental health, for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts.
Rescind the Congressional Authorization for the War in Iraq.
Prohibit the construction of permanent US military bases in the country.
Finally, we believe that Iraqi oil belongs to the Iraqis. Once the oil is in the international market, the U.S. will certainly have access to our share. That's why our bill ensures that the U.S. has no long-term control over Iraqi oil. "Our plan, with the exception of Veterans' benefits, will cost the American people pennies on the dollar as compared to continuing the occupation for two more years. It will save lives, bodies, and minds, and it will give Iraq back to the Iraqis. It is an important step in regaining our credibility in the region and throughout the world, and provides the President, and this Congress, with a comprehensive way to respond to the majority of Americans who want our troops to come home."

This bill is co-sponsored by: Barbara Lee (D-CA), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Diane Watson (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Bob Filner (D-CA), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Donald Payne (D-NJ) and Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX).
Take Action Now!

Tell your member of Congress to support H. R. 508 ([Only registered and activated users can see links]), and
Tell Speaker Pelosi to get us out of Iraq ([Only registered and activated users can see links]).

[Mod5]

:confused0006[1]: Interesting, I don't see any Republican sponsors on the bill.

[The_Bammo]

Sounds like a plan to me Christine -- for sure friend! H.R. 508 sounds like a darn good plan - that there is supporting the Troops and Veterans of this country.

Hang Tough ~
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Surge of Anti-War Bills in Congress

Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2007-01-19 18:21. Congress ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) Council for a Livable World
January 18, 2007
Current Congressional Legislative Initiatives on Iraq and Iran
***Bills arranged by introduction date and chamber***
***Bills are hyperlinked to THOMAS; click bill number to follow link***
Senate Legislation

S. 121 – Sponsor: Russell Feingold (D-WI)
“To provide for the redeployment of United States forces from Iraq.”
Introduced: January 4, 2007
Cosponsors (1): Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Summary: S. 121 calls for redeploying U.S. forces out of Iraq no later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of S. 121, while leaving a minimal level of U.S. forces in Iraq to “engage directly in targeted counterterrorism activities, train Iraq security forces, and protect United States infrastructure and personnel in Iraq.” S. 121 stipulates that the Secretaries of State and Defense present a joint strategy for redeploying U.S. forces out of Iraq no later than 60 days after S. 121 is enacted.

S. 233 – Sponsor: Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
“To prohibit the use of funds for an escalation of United States military forces in Iraq above the numbers existing as of January 9, 2007.”
Introduced: January 9, 2007
Cosponsors (7): Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Harkin (D-IA), John Kerry (D-MA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Robert Menedez (D-NJ), and Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
Summary: S. 233 prohibits the use of funds to increase the number of U.S. forces in Iraq above the number which existed as of January 9, 2007, without specific authorization from Congress. S. 233 is identical to the bill introduced in the House, H.R. 353, by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA-7).
S.Con.Res. 2 – Sponsor: Joseph Biden (D-DE)
“A concurrent resolution expressing the bipartisan resolution on Iraq.”
Introduced: January 17, 2007
Cosponsors (3): Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Summary: S.Con.Res. 2 states that “it is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq, particularly by escalating the United States military force presence in Iraq.” It asserts that the primary U.S. strategic objective in Iraq should be having Iraqi leaders make the political compromises necessary to end the violence. S.Con.Res. 2 calls for greater regional and international support for Iraq, an internationally-sponsored peace and reconciliation process, and, most importantly, a timeline for transferring security responsibilities over to the Iraqi government and Iraqi Security Forces.

S. 308 – Sponsor: Chris Dodd (D-CT)
“To prohibit an escalation in United States military forces in Iraq without prior authorization by Congress.”
Introduced: January 17, 2007
Cosponsors (2): Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Summary: S. 308 reportedly states that the authority given by Congress in 2002 to intervene in Iraq never contemplated that U.S. troops would be engaged in a civil war in Iraq, and the President must now come back to Congress to seek authorization for this new mission. Any additional increase in troop levels beyond January 16, 2007 levels must be specifically authorized by Congress. While other legislation seeks to limit the number of new troops in Iraq through funding mechanisms, S. 308 seeks to limit the escalation through the authorization process instead. There is ample precedent for such action—in 1973, 1983, 1984, and 2000 Congress enacted provisions limiting the number of US troops in Vietnam, Lebanon, Europe, and Colombia.
Sen. Hillary Clinton bill – announced but not yet introduced
Summary: The Clinton Bill will reportedly cap the number of troops in Iraq at their January 1, 2007, level and require the president to seek congressional approval before sending more troops. The Clinton Bill may cut off financial support for the Iraqi government until they take “the steps both militarily and politically that would help them to gain control over Baghdad and other places in the country.” It may also mandate redeploying U.S. troops to Afghanistan to stifle “a big Taliban offensive in the spring.”
Sen. Barack Obama bill – announced but not yet introduced
Summary: The Obama Bill will reportedly cap the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and begin phased redeployment.

House Legislation

H.Con.Res. 15 – Sponsor: Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18)
“Expressing the sense of Congress that the Government of Iraq should not grant blanket amnesty to persons known to have attacked, killed, or wounded members of the United States Armed Forces in Iraq.”
Introduced: January 5, 2007
Cosponsors: none
Summary: H.Con.Res. 15 states that due to the “civic-minded and selfless nature of American military personnel serving in Iraq who have built schools and hospitals, repaired roads and bridges, and risked their lives to secure a future of peace and freedom for the men, women, and children of Iraq,” the Government of Iraq should not grant blanket amnesty to any persons known to have attacked, killed, or wounded U.S. forces after December 15, 2005, the date on which the people of Iraq elected a permanent government.

H.R. 353 – Sponsor: Edward Markey (R-MA-7)
“To prohibit the use of funds for an escalation of United States forces in Iraq above the numbers existing as of January 9, 2007.”
Introduced: January 9, 2007
Cosponsors (17): Neil Abercrombie (D-HI-1), Michael Capuano (D-MA-8), John Conyers (D-MI-14), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), William Delahunt (D-MA-10), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22), Barbara Lee (D-CA-9), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY-14), Jim McDermott (D-WA-7), James McGovern (D-MA-3), Martin Meehan (D-MA-5), John Olver (D-MA-1), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Mike Thompson (D-CA-1), and John Tierney (D-MA-6)
Summary: H.R. 353 prohibits the use of funds to increase the number of U.S. forces in Iraq above the number which existed as of January 9, 2007, without specific authorization from Congress. H.R. 353 is identical to the bill introduced in the Senate, S. 233, by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA).

H.Res. 41 – Sponsor: Martin Meehan (D-MA-5)
“Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that an increase in number of members of the United States Forces deployed in Iraq is the wrong course of action and that a drastic shift in the political and diplomatic strategy of the United States is needed to help secure and stabilize Iraq.”
Introduced: January 9, 2007
Cosponsors (41): Neil Abercrombie (D-HI-1), Thomas Allen (D-ME-1), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI-2), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Lois Capps (D-CA-23), Michael Capuano (D-MA-8), John Conyers (D-MI-14), Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), William Delahunt (D-MA-10), Chaka Fattah (D-PA-2), Barney Frank (D-MA-4), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7), Phil Hare (D-IL-17), Jane Harman (D-CA-36), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22), Mazie Hirono (D-HI-2), Michael Honda (D-CA-15), Jay Inslee (D-WA-1), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-1), Barbara Lee (D-CA-9), John Lewis (D-GA-5), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-9), Edward Markey (D-MA-7), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), James McGovern (D-MA-3), James Moran (D-VA-8), Richard Neal (D-MA-2), John Olver (D-MA-1), Donald Payne (D-NJ-10), Steven Rothman (D-NJ-9), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Adam Smith (D-WA-9), Hilda Solis (D-CA-32), Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA-13), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA-10), Diane Watson (D-CA-33), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6), David Wu (D-OR-1)
Summary: H.Res. 41 expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that increasing U.S. troops in Iraq above the present level of 132,000 is “the wrong course of action and should not be done without an express authorization for the increase in an Act of Congress.” H.Res. 41 goes on to state that a “drastic shift in the political and diplomatic strategy” is needed for the U.S. “to secure and stabilize Iraq so that the United States can begin a phased withdrawal of United States troops as soon as possible.”

H.Con.Res. 21 – Sponsor: Steven Rothman (D-NJ-9)
“Calling on the United Nations Security Council to charge Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with violating the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United Nations Charter because of his calls for the destruction of the State of Israel.”
Introduced: January 9, 2007
Cosponsors (28): Shelley Berkley (D-NV-1), Dan Burton (R-IN-5), Christopher Carney (D-PA-10), John Conyers (D-MI-14), Joseph Crowley (D-NY-7), Eliot Engel (D-NY-17), Bob Etheridge (D-NC-2), Chaka Fattah (D-PA-2), Phil Hare (D-IL-17), Bob Inglis (R-SC-4), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA-4), Timothy Johnson (R-IL-15), Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL-10), Ron Klein (D-FL-22), John Lewis (D-GA-5), Donald Manzullo (R-Il-16), Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY-4), Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), Michael McNulty (D-NY-21), Patrick Murphy (D-PA-8), Charlie Norwood (R-GA-9), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA-46), Jim Saxton (R-NJ-3), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Pete Sessions (R-TX-32), Mark Souder (R-IN-3), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA-10), Edolphus Towns (D-NY-10)
Summary: H.Con.Res. 21 condemns Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's “offensive remarks, contemptible statements, and reprehensible policies aimed at the destruction of the State of Israel,” and calls on the United Nations Security Council to charge Ahmadinejad with violating both the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the United Nations Charter (Article 2, Section 4). H.Con.Res. 21 goes on to urge the U.N. to take steps to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and reaffirms the U.S. “strategic partnership” with Israel.

H.Con.Res. 23 – Sponsor: Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10)
“Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should not order an escalation in the total number of members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Iraq.”
Introduced: January 10, 2007
Cosponsors (30): Michael Capuano (D-MA-8), Julia Carson (D-IN-7), William “Lacy” Clay (D-MO-1), Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), John Conyers (D-MI-14), Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7), Danny Davis (D-IL-7), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), Michael Doyle (D-PA-14), Chaka Fattah (D-PA-2), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7), Mazie Hirono (D-HI-2), Rush Holt (D-NJ-12), Michael Honda (D-CA-15), Jesse Jackson (D-IL-2), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA-4), Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI-13), Barbara Lee (D-CA-9), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-9), Gwen Moore (D-WI-4), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-8), Donald Payne (D-NJ-10), Steven Rothman (D-NJ-9), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Jose Serrano (D-NY-16), Hilda Solis (D-CA-32), Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA-13), Diane Watson (D-CA-33), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6), David Wu (D-OR-1)
Summary: Citing the number of U.S. forces killed and wounded in Iraq, the estimated $379 billion the U.S. has spent on the war, and the opinion of Gen. John Abizaid that more U.S. troops in Iraq would “prevent the Iraqis from doing more,” H.Con.Res. 23 expresses the sense of Congress that “the President should not order an escalation in the total number of members of the United States Armed Forces serving in Iraq.”

H.R. 394 – Sponsor: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18)
“To provide for payment of certain claims against the Government of Iran.”
Introduced: January 10, 2007
Cosponsors (5): Steve Chabot (R-OH-1), Joseph Crowley (D-NY-7), Eliot Engel (D-NY-17), Brad Sherman (D-CA-27), and Joe Wilson (R-SC-2)
Summary: H.R. 394 revokes any provision of the Algiers Accords, entered into by the U.S. with Iran on January 19, 1981, that “purports to bar a citizen of the United States from prosecuting any claim in any court of the United States or to limit the jurisdiction of any court of the United States is hereby abrogated and deemed nonapplicable.” H.R. 394 calls for the Secretaries of Treasury and State to commence payments into a common fund no later than 90 days after the enactment of H.R. 394. The common fund will pay “claims to the Americans held hostage in Iran, and to members of their families” by liquidating blocked Iranian assets and by taking funds from the Iran Foreign Military Sales Fund account within the Foreign Military Sales Fund.

H.R. 413 – Sponsor: Sam Farr (D-CA-17)
“To repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243) and to require the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq.”
Introduced: January 11, 2007
Cosponsors: none

Summary: H.R. 413 repeals the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243) and calls on the President to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq in a “safe and orderly manner.”

H.J.Res. 14 – Sponsor: Walter Jones (R-NC-3)
“Concerning the use of military force by the United States against Iran.”
Introduced: January 12, 2007
Cosponsors (11): Neil Abercrombie (D-HI-1), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), John Duncan (R-TN-2), Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD-1), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10), John Larson (D-CT-1), Martin Meehan (D-MA-5), John Murtha (D-PA-12), Richard Neal (D-MA-2), Ron Paul (R-TX-14), Gene Taylor (D-MS-4)
Summary: H.J.Res. 14 states that unless there is an “attack by Iran, or a demonstrably imminent attack by Iran, upon the United States, its territories or possessions or its armed forces,” the President must consult with Congress and receive specific authorization prior to initiating military force against Iran.

H.R. 455 – Sponsor: Jerry Nadler (D-NY-8)
“To provide for the protection of members of the United States Armed Forces and for their withdrawal from Iraq by December 31, 2007.”
Introduced: January 12, 2007
Cosponsors (1): Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22)
Summary: H.R. 455, also known as the “Protect the Troops and Bring Them Home Act of 2007,” calls for the safe and orderly withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Iraq commencing no later than 30 days after the enactment of H.R. 455 and finishing no later than December 31, 2007. H.R. 455 cuts off funding for Department of Defense operations in Iraq except for the continued protection of American forces while they are withdrawing on the aforementioned timetable, but does provide financial assistance for consultations with international organizations, funding for Iraqi Security Forces or an international stabilization force, and economic and reconstruction assistance to Iraq.

H.R. 438 – Sponsor: Jesse Jackson (D-IL-2)
“To prohibit an escalation in the number of members of the United States Armed Forces deployed in Iraq.”
Introduced: January 12, 2007
Cosponsors (1): Barbara Lee (D-CA-9)
Summary: H.R. 438 stipulates that funding made available to the Department of Defense may not be used to increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq above the number serving there as of January 1, 2007, unless a specific authorization for the troop increase is enacted into law.
H.Con.Res. 33 – Sponsor: Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4)
“Expressing the sense of Congress that the President should not initiate military action against Iran without first obtaining authorization from Congress.”
Introduced: January 16, 2007
Cosponsors (19): Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), Corinne Brown (D-FL-3), Michael Capuano (D-MA-8), John Conyers (D-MI-14), Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-25), Sam Farr (D-CA-17), Rush Holt (D-NJ-12), Darlene Hooley (D-OR-5), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10), Barbara Lee (D-CA-9), Betty McCollum (D-MN-4), James McGovern (D-MA-3), John Murtha (D-PA-12), Donald Payne (D-NJ-10), Steven Rothman (D-NJ-9), Fortney Pete Stark (D-CA-13), Mike Thompson (D-CA-1), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6)
Summary: H.Con.Res. 33 references the U.S. Constitution and traces the history of the war-making powers of the President to express the sense of Congress that: 1) initiating a military attack against Iran falls outside the President’s “Commander-in-Chief” constitutional authority; 2) the authorization of force resolution approved in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, does not extend to authorizing the President to use force against Iran, including over its nuclear program; 3) the authorization of force resolution approved to go to war with Iraq does not extend to authorizing the President to use force against Iran, including over its nuclear program; and 4) seeking congressional authorization prior to taking military action against Iran isn’t discretionary for the President, but a legal and constitutional requirement.

H.R. 508 – Sponsor: Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6)
“To require United States military disengagement from Iraq, to provide United States assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq, and for other purposes.”
Introduced: January 17, 2007
Cosponsors (16): Barbara Lee (D-CA-9), Maxine Waters (D-CA-35), Diane Watson (D-CA-33), James McGovern (D-MA-3), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7), Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10), Barney Frank (D-MA-4), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-22), John Conyers (D-MI-14), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-8), Chaka Fattah (D-PA-2), Bob Filner (D-CA-51), William “Lacy” Clay (D-M0-1), Donald Payne (D-NJ-10), Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18).
Summary: H.R. 508, also known as the “Bring the Troops Home and Iraqi Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007,” mandates that all U.S. troops and military contractors in Iraq return to the U.S. or redeploy outside of the Middle East within six months of the date of enactment, at which point funding obligated or expended to deploy or continue to deploy U.S. forces in Iraq will be terminated. H.R. 508 repeals the 2002 authorization of force resolution approved to go to war with Iraq. It authorizes U.S. support for replacing U.S. troops and contractors with an international stabilization force, prohibits any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq, accelerates U.S. troop and contractor assistance for training of a permanent Iraqi police force, and authorizes a wide array of non-military U.S. bilateral and multilateral assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq, including a compensation fund for Iraqi noncombatant civilian casualties. Finally, H.R. 508 guarantees health care for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts and, 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.
H.R. 511 – Sponsor: Sam Johnson (R-TX-3)
“To pledge the faithful support of Congress to members of the United States Armed Forces serving in harm’s way.”
Introduced: January 17, 2007
Cosponsors (16): Roy Blunt (R-MO-7), John Boehner (R-MO-7), Steve Buyer (R-IN-4), Eric Cantor (R-VA-7), John Carter (R-TX-31), Tom Cole (R-OK-4), David Dreier (R-CA-26), Kay Granger (R-TX-12), Peter Hoekstra (R-MI-2), Duncan Hunter (R-CA-52), Peter King (R-NY-3), Jerry Lewis (R-CA-41), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI-11), Adam Putnam (R-FL-12), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18), and Bill Young (R-FL-10)
Summary: H.R. 511 pledges that “Congress will not cut off or restrict funding for units and members of the Armed Forces that the Commander in Chief has deployed in harm’s way in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom [in Afghanistan].”



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