SENATE TO CONSIDER COLLINS-BACKED BIPARTISAN IRAQ STUDY GROUP AMENDMENT TO DEFENSE BILL
The U.S. Senate this week is expected to debate a bipartisan amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins, that would make the recommendations of the bipartisan Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group the basis for future U.S. strategy in Iraq. The Iraq Study Group (ISG) Recommendations Implementation Act of 2007 is sponsored by Senators Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and sets conditions that could lead to redeployment of United States combat as early as March 2008 if diplomatic, infrastructure and security benchmarks are met.
“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;
