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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 45 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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, 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
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),  
That it is the sense of Congress that the House supports the 
recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, most importantly--
            (1) the repositioning of United States troops to reflect 
        strategic and tactical needs as determined by United States 
        commanders in Iraq that meet the objective of training and 
        equipping the Iraqi military, containing terrorism through 
        special operations and rapid reaction forces, and ensuring the 
        transfer of responsibility from United States to Iraqi control;
            (2) that the United States establish an explicit framework 
        for cooperation and coordination with Iraqi leaders that 
        includes the achievement of specific milestones and objectives 
        within a reasonable time frame;
            (3) that the United States government launch a new 
        diplomatic initiative to unite the region and build 
        international consensus for stability and reconstruction in 
        Iraq; and
            (4) that any policies enacted by the Administration with 
        regard to Iraq are implemented in direct and continued 
        consultation with Congress and relevant House and Senate 
        committees.
                                 <all>
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