Lee, Woolsey To Present Bill Seeking Iraq Pullout

January 17th, 2007 10:46 pm

(CBS 5) WASHINGTON — As Congress battles over President Bush’s plan to send 21,500 more U.S. troops to Iraq, two Bay Area congresswomen are set to introduce legislation Wednesday calling for the complete withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Iraq under a six-month deadline.

East Bay Rep. Barbara Lee and North Bay Rep. Lynn Woolsey, both Democrats, will introduce The Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act, a new bill that they say would force President Bush to "brings troops home within six months."

In a press release, the lawmakers said the bill would also forbid permanent military bases in Iraq and include funding for economic aid to the Iraqi government.

Senate Democrats plan by Thursday to introduce a resolution denouncing the president’s plan, with floor debate to begin next week — around the time Bush delivers his State of the Union speech on Jan. 23.

The bill, by not eliminating funding for either current troops or the additions, would be merely an expression of Congress’ position. But it would help Democrats gauge Republican support for more aggressive legislative tactics, as well as embarrass Bush.

On Tuesday, Democrats were reaching out to potential Republican cosponsors. Several GOP senators have spoken out against sending more troops.

"The hope is to introduce a bill that would be a bipartisan resolution," said Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

White House press secretary Tony Snow suggested that Congress’ Democratic leaders think through the ramifications of any vote.

"In an age of instant and global communication, what message does it send to the people who are fighting democracy in Iraq, and also what message does it send to the troops?" he said. "But, you know, the House and Senate are going to do whatever they do. What the president is determined to do is continue moving forward in a way that creates conditions for success in Iraq."

A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon to announce the House bill.

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