Washington, -- "It's time to take the next step," said U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie today as he joined a group of House Democrats in introducing legislation requiring the redeployment of U.S. troops from the streets of Baghdad. "Last week, the House passed a measure setting timelines for troop withdrawal.  But even if Senate Republicans stop blocking its consideration and it passes there, President Bush will veto it."

Abercrombie's measure sets no timelines for troop withdrawal and does not dictate military tactics. "This is a matter of national policy enacted by the Congress of the United States," Abercrombie said.

The bill points out that the grounds used by the Bush Administration in 2002 to justify military force in Iraq have been resolved or otherwise settled:

1. Saddam Hussein has been tried and executed by the freely-elected Iraqi government;
2. No weapons of mass destruction have even been found in Iraq; and
3. Iraq did not become a terrorist haven until after the U.S. invasion.

Under the legislation, the President must present a new Iraq strategy to Congress within 60 days that redeploys U.S. troops from the streets of Baghdad and concentrates instead on counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda in Iraq and other global terrorist organizations, protecting U.S. forces and facilities, and supporting and equipping Iraqi forces to take full responsibility for their own security.  The new mission reflects the recommendations of the Baker-Hamilton Commission.

"We're more than four years into an Iraq strategy that has failed by any measure, at a cost of nearly four thousand American lives and hundreds of billions of American dollars.  Yet the President absolutely refuses to consider any change in course.  It’s time for a change of mission.  It’s time for Congress to say 'Enough!'"

Abercrombie was joined by Reps. John Tanner (TN), Ellen Tauscher (CA), Kendrick Meek (FL), Allyson Schwartz (PA), William Delahunt (MA) and Jim Costa (CA) in sponsoring the legislation.

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