Order Code RL34172
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Detainee Issues:
Major Votes from the 110th Congress
Updated October 22, 2007
Kim Walker Klarman and Lisa Mages
Information Research Specialists
Knowledge Services Group
Pat Towell
Specialist in U.S. Defense Budget
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Detainee Issues:
Major Votes from the 110th Congress
Summary
Both the Iraq War and the Global War on Terror have been the subjects of
considerable legislative activity since the opening days of the 110th Congress. After
the Iraq Study Group released its recommendations on December 6, 2006, President
Bush followed on January 10, 2007, with an announcement of a new strategy for the
Iraq War. The President’s plan proposed a surge of 28,500 U.S. troops to help
improve security in Baghdad and counter Al Qaeda operatives in Anbar Province.
After the President’s announcement, a number of bills were introduced in the House
and Senate that reflected congressional opposition to the “surge” of U.S. forces and
that offered alternative plans for changing the U.S. forces’ mission in Iraq.
This report consists of a series of tables that summarize the legislation
concerning Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) considered to date during the 110th
Congress, as well as a select group of amendments to H.R. 1585, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (currently awaiting conference
committee action), that relate to either OIF or the Global War on Terror (GWOT).
The tables categorize the bills and amendments into the following groups based
on their principal goal: Changing U.S. Forces’ Mission; Reducing the Number of
U.S. Forces in Iraq; Restricting the Use of Funds; Conditioning U.S. Action on Iraqi
Government Benchmarks; Adjusting Legislative Authorization for the Mission;
Other Legislation Concerning Iraq War Policy; and Rules for the Treatment of
Detainees.
CRS has included the bill number, date introduced, sponsor, short title, key
provisions, and vote or status for each piece of legislation covered. Key provisions
highlight factors that could have an impact on the policy of or the course of events
in the Iraq War or the GWOT.
This report will be updated on a regular basis. For further information on Iraq
War policy and options, see also CRS Report RL31339, Iraq: Post-Saddam
Governance and Security, by Kenneth Katzman; and CRS Report RL33793, Iraq:
Regional Perspectives and U.S. Policy, coordinated by Christopher Blanchard. For
further information on the National Defense Authorization Act 2008, see also CRS
Report RL33999, Defense: FY2008 Authorization and Appropriations, by Pat
Towell, Stephen Daggett, and Amy Belasco.
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Changes in the Mission of U.S. Forces in Iraq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Reducing the Number of U.S. Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Iraq War Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Establishing Benchmarks for the Iraqi Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Authorization of Use of Military Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Other Legislation Concerning Iraq War Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Global War on Terror (GWOT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
List of Tables
Table 1. Legislation Concerning Iraq Mission Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Table 2. Legislation Regarding Reducing the Number of U.S. Forces in Iraq
and Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Table 3. Legislation Concerning Funding of Iraq War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Table 4. Legislation Concerning Establishing Benchmarks for the Iraqi
Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Table 5. Legislation Regarding Authorization of Use of Military Forces . . . . . . 15
Table 6. Other Legislation Concerning Iraq War Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Table 7. Legislation Concerning the Global War on Terror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Detainee
Issues: Major Votes from the 110th Congress
Introduction
Both the Iraq War and the Global War on Terror have been the subjects of
considerable legislative activity since the opening days of the 110th Congress. After
the Iraq Study Group released its recommendations on December 6, 2006, President
Bush followed on January 10, 2007, with an announcement of a new strategy for the
Iraq War. The President’s plan proposed a surge of 28,500 U.S. troops to help
improve security in Baghdad and in Anbar Province. After the President’s
announcement, a number of bills were introduced in the House and Senate that
reflected congressional opposition to the “surge” of U.S. forces and to an open-ended
commitment of high level of U.S. forces in Iraq, and that offered alternative plans for
changing the U.S. forces’ mission in Iraq.
This report consists of a series of tables that summarize the legislation
concerning Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) considered to date during the 110th
Congress, as well as a select group of amendments to H.R. 1585, the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, that relate to either OIF or the
Global War on Terror (GWOT).
The tables categorize the bills and amendments into the following groups based
on their principal goal: Changing U.S. Forces’ Mission; Reducing the Number of
U.S. Forces in Iraq; Restricting the Use of Funds; Conditioning U.S. Action on Iraqi
Government Benchmarks; Adjusting Legislative Authorization for the Mission;
Other Legislation Concerning Iraq War Policy; and Rules for the Treatment of
Detainees.
CRS has included the bill number, date introduced, sponsor, short title, key
provisions, and vote or status for each piece of legislation covered. Key provisions
highlight factors that could have an impact on the policy of or the course of events
in the Iraq War or the GWOT.
One bill, H.R. 1591, the first version of the FY2007 supplemental
appropriations bill (which President Bush vetoed), is listed in two of the tables
(Tables 2 and 3) because it includes some provisions that fall in each of two
categories. Some provisions of the bill set readiness standards for U.S. forces
deployed to Iraq, while other provisions condition U.S. assistance on the Iraqi
government’s achievement of certain benchmarks of security and political
reconciliation.
CRS-2
Changes in the Mission of U.S. Forces in Iraq
Legislation included in this section covers those bills and amendments that
address the overall strategy for the war in Iraq or that call for changes in that strategy.
Several bills were introduced early in the 110th Congress that proposed
comprehensive changes to the U.S. mission in Iraq, such as S. 433, S. 679, H.R.
1581, and S. 1545.1 Most of this legislation, however, remained in committee and
never reached the floor for vote.
As is evident below (Table 1), the earliest legislation voted on was in direct
reaction to President Bush’s new strategy, revealed on January 10, 2007, which called
for an increase in the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq. Most of this legislation
reflected ideas presented in the Iraq Study Group’s findings, which entailed a
comprehensive U.S. diplomatic, political, and economic strategy for dealing with the
situation in Iraq.
Table 1. Legislation Concerning Iraq Mission Changes
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.Con.Res.2
A concurrent
Sense of Congress that:
Motion to
Introduced:
resolution
invoke cloture
01/17/07
expressing the
It is not in U.S. national interest to
rejected:
Sen. Joseph R.
bipartisan
increase U.S. military presence in
0-97
Biden, Jr.
resolution on
Iraq
02/01/07
Iraq
Greater regional and international
support would help Iraqis find a
political solution
U.S. forces’ mission should
transition to border security, counter-
terrorism activities, reduction of
regional interference, and
accelerated training of Iraqi forces
U.S. should shift responsibility for
internal security and halting sectarian
violence to Iraqi forces
U.S. should engage Middle Eastern
nations to develop peace process
1 The full text of these bills is available online via the Legislative Information System (LIS)
at [http://www.congress.gov/].
CRS-3
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
H.Con.Res. 63
Disapproving
Resolved that:
Passed House:
Introduced
of the Decision
246-182
02/12/07
of the President
Congress and the American people
02/16/07
Rep. Ike Skelton
announced on
continue to support the troops
January 10,
2007, to deploy
Congress disapproves of President
more than
Bush’s “surge” strategy
20,000
additional U.S.
combat troops
to Iraq
S. 470
A bill to
Sense of Congress that:
Motion to
Introduced:
express the
invoke cloture
01/31/07
sense of
The Senate disagrees with President
rejected: 49-47
Sen. Carl Levin
Congress on
Bush’s plan to increase troop levels
02/05/07
Iraq
in Iraq
The Senate believes U.S. should
continue combating insurgency in
Anbar province
The Senate believes a failed state in
Iraq would threaten long-term U.S.
security interests
Congress should not reduce or
eliminate funding for U.S. forces in
the field, as that would undermine
their safety
U.S. military, diplomatic, and
economic strategy should not be
open-ended but conditioned on
benchmarks being met by Iraqi
government
Iraqi military should assume role of
combating sectarian violence
S. 574
A bill to
Sense of Congress that:
Motion to
Introduced:
express the
invoke cloture
02/13/07
sense of
Congress and the American people
rejected: 56-34
Sen. Harry Reid
Congress on
continue to support the troops
02/17/07
Iraq
Congress disapproves of President
Bush’s decision to deploy more U.S.
combat troops to Iraq
CRS-4
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.J.Res. 9
U.S. Policy in
President shall commence
Senate rejected:
Introduced:
Iraq Resolution
redeployment of U.S. troops from
48-50
03/08/07
of 2007
Iraq not later than 120 days after
03/15/07
Sen. Harry Reid
enactment with the goal of
redeploying all U.S. combat forces
from Iraq by March 31, 2008
Exception for essential troops to
protect U.S. personnel and
infrastructure, train and equip Iraqi
forces, and conduct targeted counter-
terrorism operations
Calls for comprehensive diplomatic,
political, and economic strategy that
includes sustained engagement with
Iraq’s neighbors and international
community
Not later than 60 days after
enactment, President shall submit
report to Congress on progress made
on transitioning mission and
implementing redeployment; report
shall be updated quarterly
H.Amdt. 353,
Department of
Provide $1 million to the U.S. Institute
Agreed to in
H.R. 2764
State, Foreign
of Peace to reestablish the Iraq Study
House: 355-69
Introduced:
Operations, and
Group
06-21-07
06/21/07
Related
Rep.
Programs
Christopher
Appropriations
Shays
Act, 2008
S.Amdt. 2100,
National
Sense of the Senate that:
Senate passed:
H.R. 1585
Defense
94-3
Introduced:
Authorization
Senate should commit to a strategy
07/17/07
07/11/07
Act for Fiscal
that will not leave a failed state in
Sen. John
Year 2008
Iraq
Cornyn
Senate should not pass legislation
that will undermine the military’s
ability to prevent a failed state in
Iraq
S.Amdt. 2241,
National
Sense of Senate that:
Considered, but
H.R. 1585
Defense
withdrawn:
Introduced:
Authorization
Senate should commit to a strategy
07/17/07
07/16/07
Act for Fiscal
that will not leave a failed state in Iraq
Sen. Mitch
Year 2008
McConnell
Senate should not pass legislation that
will undermine military’s ability to
prevent a failed state in Iraq
CRS-5
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
H.R. 3087
To require the
Directs the Secretary of Defense,
Passed House:
Introduced:
President, in
within 60 days after the enactment of
377-46
07/18/07
coordination
the act and every 90 days thereafter,
10/02/07
Rep. John
with the
to report to the congressional defense
Tanner
Secretary of
and appropriations committees on
State, the
the status of planning for the
Secretary of
redeployment of Armed Forces from
Defense, the
Iraq
Joint Chiefs of
Staff, and other
senior military
leaders, to
develop and
transmit to
Congress a
comprehensive
strategy for the
redeployment
of United
States Armed
Forces in Iraq
a. Generally, it requires 60 votes to invoke cloture, or end debate, on a measure or matter in the
Senate.
Reducing the Number of U.S. Troops in Iraq
and Afghanistan
The legislation that would reduce the number of U.S. troops falls into two
groups. One set of proposals calls for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq starting at
a specific point in time, with some bills setting either a binding deadline or a
nonbinding goal for completion of the drawdown. Most of these bills exclude from
the withdrawal requirement any U.S. troops assigned to certain limited missions
including the defense of U.S. facilities and the conduct of targeted anti-terrorist
missions of limited duration.
A second set of proposals would indirectly compel a reduction in the number
of U.S. troops in Iraq by prohibiting the deployment of units that did not meet certain
standards of combat-readiness, by requiring that units be deployed for no longer than
the maximum length of time allowed by the policy of their parent service, and by
barring the return to Iraq of units previously deployed there unless they had a
minimum period of time at their home station (or “dwell time”) before the second
Iraq deployment. The Army is unable to sustain its current level of deployments in
Iraq unless units are deployed for longer periods and/or are redeployed after shorter
dwell times than Army policy dictates. Moreover, the tempo at which units have to
return to Iraq has inhibited most Army brigades from meeting some of the established
readiness criteria.
CRS-6
The first version of the emergency supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 1591,
included both types of troop reduction requirements. It required a withdrawal to
proceed according to one of two alternative timetables, depending on the extent to
which the Iraqi government met certain benchmarks of security and political
reconciliation. It also prohibited the deployment of units that did not meet readiness
standards and the deployment of any unit for longer than was called for by its parent
service (365 days in the case of Army units and 210 days for Marine Corps units).
An amendment to H.R. 1591 introduced by Senator Cochran that would strike the
language setting a timetable for redeployment was defeated in the Senate by a vote
of 82-16. The bill narrowly passed both the House and the Senate in March, but was
vetoed by President Bush on May 2, 2007.
Table 2. Legislation Regarding Reducing the Number of U.S.
Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
H.R. 1591
U.S. Troop
Requires the President to report by
Passed
Introduced:
Readiness,
July 1, 2007 whether the Iraqi
House:
03/20/07
Veterans’ Care,
government is making “substantial
218-212
Rep. David R.
Katrina Recovery,
progress” toward meeting certain
03/23/07
Obey
and Iraq
benchmarks of improvement in
(see also Table
Accountability
security and political reconciliation. If
Adopted
3)
Appropriations
substantial progress is not reported,
conference
Act, 2007
the withdrawal of U.S. troops from
report:
Iraq (except for specific, limited
218-208
missions) must begin by July 1 with a
4/25/07
goal of being completed within 180
days. If substantial progress is
Passed
reported, the withdrawal must begin
Senate:
by Oct. 1, 2007.
51-47
03/29/07
The withdrawal requirement exempts
units remaining in Iraq for protection
Adopted
of U.S. diplomatic facilities and
conference
citizens, for customary diplomatic
report:
positions, for targeted operations of
51-46
limited duration against terrorist
04/26/07
organizations with global reach, and
for training and equipping Iraqi
Veto
security forces
Override
Rejected:
No funds may be used to deploy to
222-203
Iraq a unit not rated “fully mission
05/02/07
capable,” to deploy any Army unit for
more than 35 days, or to deploy a
Marine Corps unit for more than 210
days
The President may waive the
readiness requirement and
deployment time limits on grounds of
national security
CRS-7
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.Amdt. 643,
U.S. Troop
Strike language that would require
Senate
H.R. 1591
Readiness,
withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq
rejected:
Introduced:
Veterans’ Care,
on a mandatory timetable
48-50
03/26/07
Katrina Recovery,
03/27/07
Sen. Thad
and Iraq
Cochran
Accountability
Appropriations
Act, 2007
S.Amdt. 1098
Water Resources
Redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq
Motion on
to S.Amdt.
Development Act
beginning no later than 120 days after
cloture
1097, H.R.
of 2007
enactment
rejected:
1495
29-67
Introduced:
Exceptions include conducting
Amendment
05/14/07
targeted operations against Al Qaeda
withdrawn
Sen. Russell D.
and other international terrorist
05/16/07
Feingold
organizations, providing security for
U.S. personnel and infrastructure, and
training and equipping Iraqi security
forces
H.R. 2237
To provide for the
Redeployment to begin no later than
House
Introduced:
redeployment of
90 days after enactment and be
rejected:
5/29/07
U.S. Armed
completed within 180 days
171-255
Rep. James P.
Forces and
05/10/07
McGovern
defense
Funds may not be used to increase
contractors from
level of U.S. troops from that number
Iraq
in place as of January 1, 2007
Some exceptions for retaining limited
U.S. armed forces in Iraq for
diplomatic security, targeted terrorist
actions, training Iraqi Security Forces,
etc.
All military facilities must be turned
over to Iraq government
CRS-8
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.Amdt. 2012,
National Defense
Requires that period between
Motion on
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
deployments to Iraq (or “dwell time”)
cloture
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
for any active component unit must be
rejected: 56-
07/09/07
2008
as long as the duration of the unit’s
41
Sen. Jim Webb
previous deployment
Amendment
withdrawn
Sense of Congress that the optimum
07/11/07
dwell time between deployments for
any active component unit is at least
twice the duration of the previous
deployment
Requires that the dwell time between
deployments to Iraq for any reserve
component unit must be at least three
years
Sense of Congress that no reserve
component unit should be mobilized
for deployment to Iraq for longer than
one year at a time or within five years
of its previous mobilization
Sets out optimal periods of
deployment for U.S. military troops
and reservists as well as periods
between deployment
H.R. 2956
Responsible
Begin reduction of U.S. forces
House
Introduced:
Redeployment
serving in Iraq by no later than 120
passed:
07/10/07
from Iraq Act
days after enactment
223-201
Rep. Ike
07-12-07
Skelton
Complete reduction to a limited
presence in Iraq by no later than April
1, 2008
President to submit comprehensive
strategy for Iraq to Congress by
January 1, 2008 and quarterly
thereafter, including number of troops
deployed to Iraq and the mission for
which they were deployed
S.Amdt.2032,
National Defense
Army unit or individual may not be
Senate
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
deployed for more than 12
rejected:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
consecutive months
52-45
7/10/07
2008
07/11/07
Sen. Chuck
Marines may not be deployed for
Hagel
more than seven consecutive months
President can waive these provisions
CRS-9
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.Amdt.2078,
National Defense
Sense of Congress that:
Senate
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
rejected:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
The goal for active components units
41-55
07/11/07
2008
should be a dwell time of no less than
07/11/07
Sen. Lindsey
12 months between deployments
Graham
For members of the reserve
components, the goal should be a
dwell time of no less than five years
between deployments
S.Amdt.2087,
National Defense
Commence reduction of forces no
Motion on
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
later than 120 days after enactment
cloture
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
rejected: 52-
07/11/07
2008
Limited U.S. forces may remain in
47
Sen. Carl Levin
Iraq to protect U.S. personnel and
07/18/07
infrastructure, train Iraqi Security
Forces, and engage in targeted
counter-terrorism activities against Al
Qaeda and other international terrorist
organizations
Complete transition of U.S. forces to
a limited presence by April 30, 2008
Reduction implemented as part of a
comprehensive diplomatic, political,
and economic strategy including
sustained engagement with Iraq’s
neighbors and international
community
Appoint an international mediator to
Iraq under auspices of the United
Nations Security Council
H.R. 3159
Ensuring Military
Prohibits any unit of the regular
Passed
Introduced:
Readiness
Armed Forces from being deployed
House:
07/24/07
Through Stability
unless the period between the most
229/194, 3
Rep. Ellen
and Predictability
recent previous deployment and a
Present
Tauscher
Deployment
subsequent deployment is equal to or
08/02/07
Policy Act of
longer than the period of the most
2007
recent previous deployment
Prohibits any unit of the reserves from
being deployed unless the period
between the most recent previous
deployment and a subsequent
deployment is at least three times
longer than the period of the most
recent previous deployment
Provides for exceptions and
presidential waivers for these
deployment requirements
CRS-10
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.Amdt. 2909,
National Defense
[same as S.Amdt.2012; see page 10]
Senate
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
except for the following changes:
rejected:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
54-44
09/19/07
2008
Special Operations forces are exempt
Amendment
Sen. Jim Webb
from the dwell time requirements
withdrawn
09/19/07
Provision would take effect 120 days
after the enactment of the bill
S.Amdt. 2918,
National Defense
Sense of the Senate that:
Senate
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
rejected:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
The goal for active component units
55-45
09/19/07
2008
should be a dwell time no less than
Amendment
Sen. John
the previous deployment period
withdrawn
McCain
09/19/07
For members of the reserve
components, the goal should be a
dwell time of no less than three years
between deployments
S.Amdt. 2924,
National Defense
Redeploy U.S. troops from Iraq
Senate
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
beginning no later than 90 days after
rejected:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
enactment
28-70
9/20/07
2008
Amendment
Sen. Russell
No funds expended for the
withdrawn
Feingold
deployment of U.S. Armed Forces in
09/20/07
Iraq after June 20, 2008
Exceptions include conducting
targeted operations against Al Qaeda
and other international terrorist
organizations, providing security for
U.S. personnel and infrastructure, and
training and equipping Iraqi security
forces
CRS-11
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.Amdt. 2898,
National Defense
Commence reduction of forces no
Rejected by
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
later than 90 days after enactment
Senate:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
47-47
09/20/07
2008
Reduction implemented as part of a
Amendment
Sen. Carl Levin
comprehensive diplomatic, political,
withdrawn
and economic strategy including
09/21/07
sustained engagement with Iraq’s
neighbors and international
community
Appoint an international mediator to
Iraq under auspices of the United
Nations Security Council
Limited U.S. forces may remain in
Iraq to protect U.S. personnel and
infrastructure, train Iraqi Security
Forces, and engage in targeted
counter-terrorism activities against Al
Qaeda and other international terrorist
organizations
Complete transition of U.S. forces to
a limited presence no later than nine
months after enactment
a. Generally, it requires 60 votes to invoke cloture, or end debate, on a measure or matter in the
Senate.
CRS-12
Iraq War Funding
The legislation in Table 3 concerns the use of congressionally authorized and
appropriated funds for the war in Iraq. The bills range from prohibiting funding for
extended deployments to restricting funds being used for operations in Iran.
Table 3. Legislation Concerning Funding of Iraq War
Bill, Date
Introduced, and
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Vote
Sponsor
S.Con.Res. 20
Expressing the sense
Sense of Congress that
Passed
Introduced:
of Congress that no
Congress should not take any
Senate:
03/15/07
funds should be cut off
action that would endanger
82-16
Sen. Judd Gregg
or reduced for
American troops in the field,
03/15/07
American troops in the
including eliminating or
field which would
reducing funding
result in undermining
their safety or their
ability to complete
their assigned mission
H.R. 1591
U.S. Troop Readiness,
Prohibits use of funds for
Passed
Introduced:
Veterans’ Care,
deploying military units if they
House:
03/20/07
Katrina Recovery, and
are not certified as fully mission
218-212
Rep. David R.
Iraq Accountability
capable
03/23/07
Obey
Appropriations Act,
(see also Table 2)
2007
Prohibits funds from being used
Adopted
for deployment after 210 days
conference
report:
Makes funds available for
218-208
immediate redeployment
4/25/07
Allows presidential waiver for
Passed
national security purposes
Senate:
51-47
Prohibits redeployment of Army
03/29/07
units that have served within the
past 365 days and Marines who
Adopted
have served within the past 210
conference
days
report:
51-46
Specific benchmarks for Iraqi
04/26/07
government that must be
certified by President Bush
Veto
Override
Rejected:
222-203
05/02/07
H.Amdt. 186,
National Defense
Prohibits the use of funds
House
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act for
authorized for military
rejected:
Introduced:
Fiscal Year 2008
operations in Iraq and
202-216
05/16/07
Afghanistan from being used for
05/16/07
Rep. Robert E.
operations in Iran
Andrews
CRS-13
Bill, Date
Introduced, and
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Vote
Sponsor
H.R. 3222
Department of Defense
Funds appropriated by the act
Passed
Introduced:
Appropriations Act,
shall not be used to establish
House:
07/30/07
2008
any military installation or base
395-13
Rep. John Murtha
for the purpose of providing for
08/05/07
the permanent stationing of
United States Armed Forces in
Iraq or to exercise U.S. control
over Iraqi oil resources
After FY2008, any request for
funds for an ongoing military
operation overseas, including
operations in Afghanistan and
Iraq, shall be included in the
annual budget of the President
Establishing Benchmarks for the Iraqi Government
Legislation that specifically addressed the issue of the Iraqi government meeting
benchmarks of improved security and political reconciliation is listed below. Several
other pieces of legislation covered in the sections above entitled “Mission in Iraq”
and “Redeployment” also had benchmarks as part of their criteria. The pieces below
differ in that benchmarks are the centerpiece of these particular bills.
For additional information about the benchmarks, see CRS Report RS21968,
Iraq: Government Formation and Benchmarks, by Kenneth Katzman.
CRS-14
Table 4. Legislation Concerning Establishing Benchmarks for
the Iraqi Government
Bill, Date
Introduced, and
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
Sponsor
H.R. 2206
U.S. Troop
$52.8 billion for U.S. military
Passed House:
Introduced:
Readiness,
operations is available only after
221-205
05/08/07
Veterans’ Care,
the President reports, by July 13,
05/10/07
Rep. David R.
Katrina
2007, whether Iraqi government is
Obey
Recovery, and
achieving progress toward 16
Iraq
benchmarks of security and
Accountability
political reconciliation, and after
Appropriations
Congress approves and the
Act of 2007
President signs a joint resolution
releasing the funds
No unit may be deployed not fully
mission capable (President may
waive this limit)
No Army unit may be deployed for
longer than 365 days or redeployed
within 365 days of a previous
deployment; nor may a Marine
Corps unit be deployed for longer
than 270 days or redeployed within
270 days of a previous deployment
(President may waive these limits)
Sense of Congress that, as Iraqi
security forces achieve proficiency
in independent combat operations,
U.S. forces should be withdrawn.
Requires monthly reports by
President on capability of Iraqi
security forces.
Requires independent, private
sector assessment of Iraqi security
forces
No funds may be used for
permanent stationing of U.S. forces
in Iraq or to exercise control over
Iraq’s oil resources
No funds may be used in
contravention of U.S. laws
implementing the United Nations
Torture Convention
CRS-15
Bill, Date
Introduced, and
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
Sponsor
S.Amdt.1134,
Water
Requires President to withhold
Motion to
H.R. 1495
Resources
funding if Iraqi government fails to
invoke cloture
Introduced:
Development
meet 18 benchmarks
rejected: 52-44
05/15/07
Act of 2007
05/16/07
Sen. John Warner
President must submit reports
assessing status of each benchmark;
if unsatisfactory progress has been
made, then President will outline
revision of strategy
a. Generally, it requires 60 votes to invoke cloture, or end debate, on a measure or matter in the
Senate.
Authorization of Use of Military Forces
The Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002
(P.L. 107-243) was passed by Congress and signed by the President on October 16,
2002. The legislation requires the President to submit mandatory reports to
Congress, but does not include a time limit on deployment of U.S. troops or criteria
for deciding when to withdraw them. It appears that the legislation authorizes the
President to use force as long as Iraq remains a threat to the United States and the
U.S. presence does not conflict with relevant U.N. resolutions. The legislation
discussed below would repeal the original authorization or require new authorization
to maintain U.S. forces in Iraq. (For further background information, please see CRS
Report RL33837, Congressional Authority to Limit U.S. Military Operations in Iraq,
by Jennifer K. Elsea, Michael John Garcia, and Thomas J. Nicola.)
Table 5. Legislation Regarding Authorization of Use
of Military Forces
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Specific Provisions
Status/Vote
and Sponsor
S.Amdt. 2351,
College Cost
Expressing the sense of the Senate that
Agreed to in
H.R. 2669
Reduction Act of
detainees housed at Guantanamo Bay,
Senate:
Introduced:
2007
Cuba, including senior members of Al
94-3
07/19/07
Qaeda, should not be released into
07/19/07
Sen. Mitch
American society, nor should they be
McConnell
transferred stateside into facilities in
American communities and
neighborhoods
CRS-16
Other Legislation Concerning Iraq War Policy
This group of legislation covers a broad range of topics ranging from the
medical care and equipping of U.S. troops, to relocation of endangered Iraqi citizens,
to control of Iraqi oil resources and establishment of permanent U.S. bases in Iraq.
Table 6. Other Legislation Concerning Iraq War Policy
Bill, Date
Introduced, and
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Vote
Sponsor
S.Res.107
Expressing the
Sense of Senate that:
Senate passed:
Introduced:
sense of the Senate
96-2
03/15/07
that no action
Necessary funding will be
03/15/07
Sen. Patty Murray
should be taken to
supplied for training, equipping,
undermine the
and supporting U.S. troops in the
safety of the
field
Armed Forces of
the United States
President and Congress should
or impact their
ensure adequate medical care for
ability to complete
troops returning from Iraq
their assigned or
future missions
President and Congress should
ensure that U.S. troops have
what they need to perform
successfully in Iraq and that U.S.
strategy is adjusted as necessary
to ensure success in Iraq
H.Amdt. 196,
National Defense
The provision of the bill
Rejected in
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
prohibiting establishment of
House: 201-219
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
permanent military bases in Iraq
05/17/07
05/16/07
2008
is not to be construed to prevent
Rep. Steve King
the United States from entering
into a basing rights agreement
with Iraq for the establishment of
temporary bases
H.Amdt. 352,
Department of
Amendment increases funding
Rejected in
H.R. 2764
State, Foreign
for assistance programs for Iraq
House: 205-219
Introduced:
Operations, and
by $158 million
06/21/07
06/21/07
Related Programs
Rep. Frank R.
Appropriations
Wolf
Act, 2008
S.Amdt. 2934,
National Defense
Expresses the sense of the Senate
Agreed to in
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
that General Petraeus deserves
Senate:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
the full support of the Senate and
72-25
09/19/07
2008
condemns personal attacks on
09/20/07
Sen. John Cornyn
Petraeus and all members of the
U.S. Armed Forces
CRS-17
Bill, Date
Introduced, and
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Vote
Sponsor
S.Amdt. 2947,
National Defense
Expresses the sense of the Senate
Rejected by
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
to reaffirm support for the U.S.
Senate:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
Armed Forces and to condemn
50-47a
09/20/07
2008
all personal attacks on members
Amendment
Sen. Barbara
of the Armed Forces
withdrawn
Boxer
09/20/07
S.Amdt.2997,
National Defense
Expresses the sense of the Senate
Agreed to in
H.R. 1585
Authorization Act
that the United States should
Senate:
Introduced:
for Fiscal Year
actively support creation of a
75-23
09/21/07
2008
federal system of government in
09/26/07
Sen. Joseph
Iraq
Biden
H.R. 2740
MEJA Expansion
Amends the bill to provide that
Motion agreed
(motion to
and Enforcement
nothing in the Act shall be
to: 342-75
recommit with
Act of 2007
construed to affect intelligence
10/04/07
instructions)
activities that are otherwise
Introduced
permissible prior to its
10/04/07
enactment.
Rep. J. Randy
Forbes
H.R. 2740
MEJA Expansion
Provides that federal contract
House passed:
Introduced
and Enforcement
employees in an area where U.S.
389-30
06/15/07
Act of 2007
forces are engaged in military
10/04/07
Rep. David E.
operations who engage in
Price
activity that would be punishable
by imprisonment for more than
one year if engaged in within
U.S. jurisdiction, shall be
punshed as if the activity had
occured within U.S. jurisdiction
Department of Justice Inspector
General shall report to Congress
on the status of investigations of
alleged contractor abuses.
FBI shall create “Theater
Investigative Units” to
investigate allegations of
criminal misconduct by
contractor personnel in theaters
of contingency operations
H.R. 400
War Profiteering
Prohibits fraud (including
Motion to
Introduced
Prevention Act of
knowingly overvaluing goods or
suspend the
01/11/07
2007
services) under a contract in
rules and pass
Rep. Neil
connection with an overseas
the bill
Abercrombie
mission of the U.S. government
Agreed to:
375-5
a. In the affirmative, 60 votes required for passage.
CRS-18
Global War on Terror (GWOT)
The legislation in Table 7 directly addresses the treatment of detainees and
their rights under the Geneva Convention, as well as the U.S. Constitution. One
amendment also proposes closing the Department of Defense’s detention center at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Table 7. Legislation Concerning the Global War on Terror
Bill, Date
Introduced,
Short Title
Key Provisions
Status/Votea
and Sponsor
S.Amdt.
To restore habeas
Restores the right of habeas corpus for
Motion on
2022,
corpus for those
detainees
cloture
H.R. 1585
detained by the
rejected:
Introduced:
United States
56-43
07/09/07
09/19/07
Sen. Arlen
Specter
S.Amdt.2351,
College Cost
Expressing the sense of the Senate
Agreed to in
H.R. 2669
Reduction Act of
that detainees housed at Guantanamo
Senate: 94-3
Introduced:
2007
Bay, Cuba, including senior members
07/19/07
07/19/07
of Al Qaeda, should not be released
Sen. Mitch
into American society, nor should they
McConnell
be transferred stateside into facilities
in American communities and
neighborhoods
a. Generally, it requires 60 votes to invoke cloture, or end debate, on a measure or matter in the Senate.
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