I 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4983 
To recognize the exemplary service of the National Guard in Iraq and to 
direct the President to begin the redeployment of United States military 
forces from Iraq, starting with National Guard units. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 16, 2006 
Mr. BLUMENAUER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on International Relations, 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 
A BILL 
To recognize the exemplary service of the National Guard 
in Iraq and to direct the President to begin the redeploy-
ment of United States military forces from Iraq, starting 
with National Guard units. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘First Step to Redeploy-
ment Act of 2006’’. 
SEC. 2. RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL GUARD. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
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(1) The men and women of the United States 
Armed Forces have carried out their mission in Iraq 
with courage, professionalism, and honor. 
(2) Units and personnel of the National Guard 
have been a major component of United States mili-
tary forces in Iraq. 
(3) Since the start of the occupation of Iraq, 
the Iraqi people have successfully voted in three elec-
tions, approved a constitution, and established a 
government. 
(4) United States national security interests, as 
well as the future stability of Iraq, would now be 
best served by the phased redeployment of United 
States military forces from Iraq and refocused polit-
ical, diplomatic, and reconstruction efforts. 
(5) The extended deployments of National 
Guard units in Iraq have placed an undue burden on 
the families of members of the National Guard, the 
communities in which the members live, and the 
States. 
(6) The National Guard is a critical element of 
the Total Force concept of the Armed Forces. 
(7) Because of the dual role of the National 
Guard under the Constitution to both the Federal 
Government and the various States, including the 
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States’ reliance on the National Guard for disaster 
response and homeland defense, the redeployment of 
Armed Forces from Iraq should begin with the rede-
ployment of the National Guard. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION.—Congress— 
(1) expresses its deep appreciation to the mem-
bers of the National Guard and all other members 
of the Armed Forces for their service and commends 
their achievements, their sacrifices, and the sac-
rifices of their families; 
(2) declares that there is no more capable sol-
dier than the citizen-soldiers of the National Guard; 
(3) reaffirms the critical role of the National 
Guard in defending the United States, carrying out 
combat missions, responding to domestic emer-
gencies and disasters, and securing the homeland; 
(4) recognizes the importance of the National 
Guard in ensuring a connection between the military 
and local communities; and 
(5) opposes any attempt to reduce the role of 
the National Guard within the Total Force concept 
of the Armed Forces. 
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SEC. 3. REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED 
FORCES FROM IRAQ. 
The President shall begin the redeployment of United 
States Armed Forces from Iraq, starting with the orderly 
redeployment of National Guard units. 
Æ 
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