Debate Over Iraq War Continues to Surge in Congress

The Iraq War is once again the hottest issue on Capitol Hill, as numerous bills and amendments aimed at ending the four and a half year-old conflict have been introduced. Earlier this year, both chambers passed a supplemental appropriations bill which required President Bush to begin removing U.S. combat troops from Iraq later in 2007, and also provided nearly $100 billion for the war through Sept. 30 of this year. When Bush promptly vetoed the measure, Congressional Democrats sent him a new bill which provided the funds with no troop withdrawal requests or mandates but vowed to revisit the issue, which they are doing now.

The key question is whether enough Republicans will defect and vote with the Democrats to get a majority that could override Bush's expected veto. Most recently, Sens. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and George Voinovich (R-Ohio) have called for a change in policy, though Lugar, at least, has stated that this doesn't mean he will vote for a Democratic withdrawal bill.

Which Republicans have publicly supported a withdrawal? Help us keep track by adding to the list on Congresspedia's congressional actions to end the Iraq War article, which also contains information on the current proposals and how your members of Congress voted.

Those current proposals include:

Senate

• Iraq Study Group Recommendation Implementation Act of 2007: Would implement the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. The bill currently remains in committee. (more details)

The following Senate measures have been proposed as amendments to the 2008 Defense Department authorization bill:

• Levin-Reed amendment to set a timetable for troop withdrawal: Would require that U.S. troops begin leaving Iraq within 120 days and recommend that all combat troops be removed by April 2008. The amendment has yet to receive a vote. (more details)
• Feingold amendment to cut funds for the war: Would require that U.S. troops begin leaving Iraq within 120 days and cut off funds for the war on Apr. 1, 2008. The amendment has yet to receive a vote. (more details)
• Clinton amendment to revoke original war authorization: Would revoke the authorization to go to war in Iraq originally passed by Congress in 2002. The amendment has yet to receive a vote. (more details)
• Webb amendment to reduce troop deployments: Would increase the amount of time both active and reserve forces spend at home between deployments. This would likely end the Iraq "troop surge" initiated by President Bush in early 2007 and prevent any future escalation of troop levels. The amendment was filibustered on Jul. 11, 2007. It fell four votes short of the necessary 60 needed for cloture. (more details)

House

• Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act: Similar to the Levin-Reed Senate bill, it would require that U.S. troops begin leaving Iraq within 120 days, and recommend that all combat troops be removed by April 2008. The bill has yet to receive a vote. (more details)