We all know Russ Feingold was the first senator to call for a time table for withdrawal from Iraq and then set a date for that withdrawal--December 2006. Well, now Russ said today that he will introduce an amendment to a spending bill to codify that date into law. The AP
reports that "Feingold plans to offer the amendment to a $106.5 billion emergency spending measure for Iraq and further hurricane relief. The amendment might not come to a vote until next week."
A
statement on his senate site offers more info:
U.S. Senator Russ Feingold is introducing an amendment to the emergency supplemental appropriations bill that requires the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31st, 2006. Last August, Feingold was the first Senator to announce a target date for withdrawal when he suggested U.S. troops leave Iraq by the end of 2006. The emergency supplemental, which is currently being considered in the Senate, includes funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq.
The statement also gives some of Russ's justifications for the his amendment:
"Our current path is unsustainable," Feingold said. "While this amendment recognizes the need for certain U.S. forces to be engaged in counter-terrorism activities, the training of Iraqi security services, and the protection of essential U.S. infrastructure, it also recognizes that the President's current strategy in Iraq is undermining our nation's national security."
We need to contact our Senators and make sure this amendment passes and ends up in this must pass spending bill.