The House Democrats have announced their Iraq plan.
It includes elements of the Murtha plan, and includes a hard timeline for withdrawal that would accelerate withdrawal if no progress is being made.
While some are whining, Pelosi is acting to bring this occupation to an end.
The details below the fold:
The announcement of the plan may be found here:
Brief summary:
On March 7, 2008, House Democratic leaders announced the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act. This bill will support our troops and veterans, hold the Bush Administration and Iraqi government accountable and bring our soldiers home by August 2008 or sooner.
The bill's provisions include:
Expand funding for veterans’ health care and hospitals
The bill provides funding so the Veterans Administration can meet the obligations of a new generation of veterans.
In light of Walter Reed, good luck vetoing that, Mr. Preznit.
Bush Administration must meet military standards for troop readiness
The bill fully supports our troops and ensures they have the tools and resources they need to do the job they have been asked to do.
The legislation prohibits the deployment of troops who are not "fully mission capable" as defined by the Department of Defense – in other words, troops who are fully trained, equipped and protected. This a reaffirmation of current Department of Defense standards.
The President can only deploy "unprepared troops" if he certifies, in writing, to Congress, that deploying those troops is in the national interest
Of course, the first reaction of many is to seize on the last provision--allowing Bush an 'out' by certifying that it's in our national interest.
What's important, however, is that it would force Bush to publicly state that he's sending unprepared troops into battle. It forces accountability. It forces him to take responsibility. Since when has he been willing to take responsibility for anything?
It also puts the pressure on the Iraqis--if you don't get your shit together, we're outta there:
Iraqi government must meet Bush benchmarks for reform
The bill requires the Iraqi government to meet the key security, political and economic benchmarks established by the President in his January 10 address.
The Iraqis failure to meet these benchmarks will mean the beginning of U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and will restrict economic aid to the Iraqis.
But, make no mistake about it. The troops will be coming home under this bill. They will come home FASTER if things go badly.
If progress toward meeting key benchmarks is not made by July 1, 2007, a redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq begins immediately and must be completed within 180 days.
If key benchmarks are not met by October 1, 2007, a redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq begins immediately and must be completed within 180 days.
If key benchmarks are met by October 1, 2007, a redeployment of U.S. troops must begin by no later than March 1, 2008, and be completed within 180 days.
Following redeployment, U.S. troops remaining in Iraq may only be used for diplomatic protection, counterterrorism operations, and training of Iraqi Security Forces.
Now, here's the real genius of this plan:
These conditions--readiness and withdrawal included--are being added to the Iraq appropriation bill.
Bush will have two choices, provided we can ram this through Congress:
A) Let the bill become law and have the timeline for withdrawal become the law of the land, or
B) He can veto the bill and defund his own goddamn war.
This plan is not ideal. It is not perfect.
But, we should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
This represents real progress, and the beginning of the end of the Iraq occupation.
UPDATED: Some people are under the mistaken impression that the deadlines are subject to waiver or certification. They're not. If Bush does certify/meet all of these benchmarks, they're still coming home by 2008. Period. End of discussion.