Washington, D.C -- “The Tanner-Abercrombie Iraq Redeployment Bill passed last month  by the House was Step One in bringing our troops home.  Tonight was Step Two,” said Representative Neil Abercrombie.  “We voted to appropriate funds to begin the actual redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq within 30 days, and set a December 15, 2008 target date for the completion of the redeployment.”   

H.R. 4156, the Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act of 2008:

• Requires the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin within 30 days of enactment, with a target for completion of December 15, 2008;
• Provides $50 billion for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan but puts off consideration of the remainder of the President’s nearly $200 billion request;
• Prohibits deployment of any troops not fully equipped and trained.  This prohibition can only be waived with a presidential national security certification;
• Requires a transition in the mission of US forces in Iraq from primarily combat to force protection and diplomatic protection; limited support to Iraqi security forces; and targeted counterterrorism operations; and
• Extends to all US government agencies and personnel the limitations in the Army Field Manual on permissible interrogation techniques.

“We passed this bill because we have an obligation to exercise our judgment and do what we know is right,” Abercrombie said.  “I hope the Senate will be able to find its way through the maze of its own rules and procedures and do the same.”

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