“Tonight the House will consider HR 2206, the revised Iraq Accountability Act. This revised bill is the best answer to providing a new direction on the war in , and I support this bill.
This Congress will not provide a blank check for President Bush with this war. This legislation fully funds the troops, honors our commitment to our veterans, while holding the Iraqi government and the President accountable.
Under this revised legislation, Congress will provide funding for our troops. In return, the President must report to Congress by July 13, 2007 regarding the success of the Iraqi government in meeting key security and political benchmarks specified by the Iraqi Prime Minister and announced by President Bush in January. The security benchmarks include eliminating militia control of local security, disarming the militias, and giving Iraqi Security Forces the authority to pursue all extremists. The political benchmarks include enacting a law to share oil revenue among all Iraqis, reform current laws governing the de-Baathification process, providing for provincial elections and amending the Constitution.
It is Congress’ obligation to continue to press the President for a new direction in and responsibly end this war.
Congress has the authority to provide for the funding of our brave men and women serving in our military. We also have the responsibility to provide for a check and balance on the President and hold him accountable to changing the course in . HR 2206, the revised Iraq Accountability Act, provides this comprehensive solution to bringing an end to this war expeditiously."
