IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 45 

Expressing the sense of Congress on the new strategy in Iraq. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 24, 2007 

Mr. WOLF submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee 

on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 

Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 

the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of Congress on the new strategy in 

Iraq. 

Whereas we respect the constitutional authorities given a 

President in article II, section 2, which states that ‘‘The 

President shall be commander in chief of the Army and 

Navy of the United States;’’ it is not the intent of this 

resolution to question or contravene such authority, but 

to accept the offer to Congress made by the President on 

January 10, 2007 that, ‘‘if members have improvements 

that can be made, we will make them. If circumstances 

change, we will adjust.’’; 

Whereas the United States strategy and operations in Iraq 

can only be sustained and achieved with support from the 

American people and with a level of bipartisanship; 


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•HCON 45 IH 

Whereas over 137,000 American military personnel are currently serving in Iraq, like thousands of others since 

March 2003, with the bravery and professionalism consistent with the finest traditions of the United States 

armed forces, and are deserving of the support of all 

Americans, which they have strongly; 

Whereas many American service personnel have lost their 

lives, and many more have been wounded in Iraq, and the 

American people will always honor their sacrifices and 

honor their families; 

Whereas a failed state in Iraq would present a threat to regional and world peace, and the long term security interests of the United States are best served by an Iraq that 

can sustain, govern, and defend itself, and serve as an 

ally in the war against extremists; 

Whereas Iraq is experiencing a deteriorating and ever widening problem of sectarian and intra sectarian violence 

based upon political distrust and cultural differences between some Sunni and Shia Arabs and Kurds; 

Whereas Iraqis must reach political settlements in order to 

achieve reconciliation, and the failure of the Iraqis to 

reach such settlements to support a truly unified government greatly contributes to the increasing violence in 

Iraq; 

Whereas the responsibility for Iraq’s internal security and 

halting sectarian violence must rest primarily with the 

Government of Iraq and Iraqi Security Forces; 

Whereas in the fall of 2006, leaders in the Administration 

and Congress, as well as recognized experts in the private 

sector began to express concern that the situation in Iraq 

was deteriorating and required a change in strategy, and, 


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•HCON 45 IH 

as a consequence, the Administration began an intensive, 

comprehensive review of the Iraq strategy, by all components of the Executive branch; 

Whereas in December 2006, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group 

issued a valuable report, suggesting a comprehensive 

strategy that includes ‘‘new and enhanced diplomatic and 

political efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in 

the primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq that will enable the United States to begin to move its combat forces 

out of Iraq responsibly.’’; and 

Whereas the recommendations in this resolution should not 

be interpreted as precipitating any immediate reduction 

in, or withdrawal of, the present level of forces: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the 

3 House supports the recommendations of the Iraq Study 

4 Group, most importantly— 

5 (1) the repositioning of United States troops to 

6 reflect strategic and tactical needs as determined by 

7 United States commanders in Iraq that meet the ob8 jective of training and equipping the Iraqi military, 

9 containing terrorism through special operations and 

10 rapid reaction forces, and ensuring the transfer of 

11 responsibility from United States to Iraqi control; 

12 (2) that the United States establish an explicit 

13 framework for cooperation and coordination with 

14 Iraqi leaders that includes the achievement of speVerDate Aug 31 2005 03:09 Jan 25, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HC45.IH HC45

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•HCON 45 IH 

1 cific milestones and objectives within a reasonable 

2 time frame; 

3 (3) that the United States government launch 

4 a new diplomatic initiative to unite the region and 

5 build international consensus for stability and recon6 struction in Iraq; and 

7 (4) that any policies enacted by the Administra8 tion with regard to Iraq are implemented in direct 

9 and continued consultation with Congress and rel10 evant House and Senate committees. 

Æ 


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