IRAQ STUDY GROUP CO-CHAIRMAN ENDORSES SENATOR COLLINS-BACKED BILL TO IMPLEMENT FINDINGS ON IRAQ
The co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, or “Baker-Hamilton” Commission, Lee Hamilton, has endorsed legislation that is cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins and would implement the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group. The bipartisan legislation, which is being described by many as the best bipartisan solution to address the necessary change of strategy in Iraq, was introduced as an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill. The Iraq Study Group (ISG) Recommendations Implementation Act of 2007 is authored by Senators Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and sets conditions that could lead to redeployment of United States combat troops by March 2008 if diplomatic, infrastructure and security benchmarks are met.
In a letter to the bill’s lead sponsor, Senator Salazar, Hamilton wrote, “The legislation that you and your co-sponsors have introduced represents—in spirit and in substance—the Iraq Study Group approach. It offers a clear shift in policy. It outlines the best chance of salvaging a measure of stability in Iraq and the region. It provides a bipartisan way forward on a problem that cannot be solved unless we come together to address this singular national challenge.”
Senator Collins yesterday joined other bill supporters in a meeting to discuss strategy on how to move the legislation forward during a session that was reminiscent of the “Gang of 14” bipartisan group that came together last to successfully avert a Senate shut down over judicial nominations.
The legislation is led by Senators Salazar and Alexander and cosponsored by Senators Collins, Bill Nelson (D-FL), Mark Pryor (D-AR), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), John Sununu (R-NH), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Pete Domenici (R-NM), Bob Casey (D-PA), Robert Bennett (R-UT), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).
Yesterday, Senator Collins said of the bill, “I have made it clear that I do not support an open-ended and unconditional commitment of U.S. troops in Iraq,” said Senator Collins. “Ultimately, resolving the sectarian violence in Iraq requires a political, not a military, solution. I oppose the President’s current strategy in Iraq and believe it is time to redefine our mission and implement a gradual but significant withdrawal of our troops next year. The time for partisan politics to determine the direction of our policy in Iraq is long over.
"I believe that the unanimous recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group should be adopted as we chart a new way forward in Iraq.”
The ISG was created in March of 2006 at the request of a bipartisan group of members of Congress and was co-chaired by former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III and former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Lee H. Hamilton. The ISG released their recommendations in December of 2006 to bring about a bipartisan approach to the Iraq war. Specifically the bill sets a ‘new way forward’ by establishing as United States policy:
- Setting conditions that could lead to redeployment of United States combat brigades not needed for force protection as early as March 2008 if diplomatic, infrastructure and security benchmarks are met.
- Giving the highest priority to training, equipping and advising the Iraqi military and security forces;
