America in Solidarity has long held the stance that the Iraq War is a disaster for America’s working families.  That being said, it’s been difficult to find a policy for Iraq that we could support.

Now, thanks to the new Democratic majority in the House and Senate, we have three.

That’s right - three distinct proposals that could lead to the eventual withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq. 

Why three, you ask?  As far as we can tell, Democratic Party leaders have been unable to come to a solid consensus on how to end the war.  For that reason, we’ve decided to outline the three plans discussed this week and put them to you for a vote.  This way, we can determine which plan makes the most sense and which one we should support.

Of course, whichever plan you support, you should contact your legislators directly and encourage them to support the one you like.  The following descriptions should help you formulate your arguments.  The number for the Capitol Switchboard, which can connect you to your member of Congress and your two Senators, is 1-800-862-5530.

“The Bring the Troops Home and Iraqi Sovereignty Restoration Act”

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/woolseybill -  Rep. Lynn Woolsey explains

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/08/iraq.congress/ - The story according to CNN

The Bring the Troops Home Bill is a comprehensive plan that will do several things to improve security in Iraq as well as to end our occupation of that country.  Here are some of the bill’s highlights:

1. All troops and military contractors will be removed from Iraq within six months, using funds already allocated for the war.

2. The bill will increase funding for training of Iraqis and will help form a broad international coalition to stabilize the country, if agreed upon by the Iraqis themselves.

3. Insure full health care funding for all veterans of foreign conflicts, including mental health.

The bill will also rescind the authorization for the war and prohibit the building of permanent US bases in Iraq.

Many of our members support this bill because it seems to be the fastest and most comprehensive strategy to remove our troops from Iraq.  This bill is also already written and ready to be voted on.  The House and Senate leadership plans, on the other hand, still have yet to be finalized.

House Leadership Iraq Plan: “US Troops’ Readiness, Veterans’ Health and Iraq Accountability Act”

http://www.speaker.gov/legislation?id=0015 - From Speaker Pelosi’s website

Highlights of the bill:

1. Expand funding for veterans’ health care and hospitals

2. Iraqi government must meet Bush benchmarks for reform

3. Strategic redeployment of U.S. combat troops by 2008

4. Refocus military efforts on Afghanistan and fighting terrorism

This bill sets benchmarks for the Iraqi government to reach, and if they don’t reach them by a certain point, the Congress will mandate the withdrawal of US troops within six months of a pre-set starting date.  It’s a little more complicated than the Woolsey-Waters-Lee bill, and doesn’t have the same kind of features, in terms of the prohibition on permanent bases or emphasis on international cooperation.

It does however, incorporate language that matches what Rep. Murtha has been describing in terms of requiring the armed forces to only use troops who are well-trained and fully equipped.

Senate Democrats “Joint Resolution to Transition the Mission in Iraq”:

http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=270337& - from Senate Democrats site

This resolution has several features:

1. It states that Iraq has fallen into a “bloody civil war”.

2. It requires that the US policy must change to meet changing conditions on the ground.

3. “It contains binding language to direct the President to transition the mission for U.S. forces in Iraq and begin their phased redeployment within one-hundred twenty days with a goal of redeploying all combat forces by March 31, 2008.”

While it’s good to see the Senate moving forward on this issue, it’s hard to understand why this is the extent of their plans to this point, particularly considering the sorts of bills they suggested in 2006.

Here’s one from the Senate Democrats’ own website, from June 2006:

http://democrats.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=257943&

Now that you’ve read up on each plan, it should be clear which one you prefer.  Please select your preferred choice in our online poll, and feel free to leave your comments on these plans, and any policy choices you think should be included in future legislation.

Lastly, don’t forget to call your member of Congress and your two Senators and tell them which plan you prefer, and which elements you believe should be integral to any legislation on Iraq.  By making your voice heard, you will be assisting our elected representatives in preparing the way for the next step forward out of Iraq.

Capitol Switchboard: (toll-free) 1-800-862-5530

Choices:

1. Woolsey-Waters-Lee “Bring the Troops Home and Iraqi Sovereignty Restoration Act”

2. House Leadership “US Troops’ Readiness, Veterans’ Healthcare and Iraqi Accountability Act”

3. Senate Leadership “Joint Resolution to Transition the Mission in Iraq”

Vote Here