[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 663 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 663
To redeploy United States Armed Forces from Iraq and to establish a new
direction for United States policy toward Iraq.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 24, 2007
Mr. Blumenauer (for himself, Mr. Farr, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Bishop of New
York, and Mr. Hare) introduced the following bill; 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To redeploy United States Armed Forces from Iraq and to establish a new
direction for United States policy toward Iraq.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``New Direction for
Iraq Act of 2007''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Goals of United States policy toward Iraq.
TITLE I--REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM IRAQ
Sec. 101. Prohibition on escalation of United States military presence
in Iraq.
Sec. 102. Redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq.
Sec. 103. Restoration of Iraqi sovereignty.
TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ
Sec. 201. Assistance for reconstruction and economic development.
Sec. 202. Assistance for democracy and civil society promotion.
Sec. 203. Assistance for militia disarmament, demobilization, and
reintegration.
Sec. 204. Federal contracts for Iraq reconstruction.
TITLE III--DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS
Sec. 301. Regional and international diplomacy.
Sec. 302. Internal Iraq diplomacy.
Sec. 303. Refugees from Iraq.
SEC. 2. GOALS OF UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD IRAQ.
The goals of United States policy toward Iraq are--
(1) to support the people of Iraq in their desire for
security, democratic self-determination, and an end to the
United States occupation of Iraq;
(2) to mitigate against a worsening of violence in Iraq and
seek to prevent, to the extent possible, additional sectarian
violence;
(3) to reestablish United States international credibility,
military readiness, and fiscal responsibility; and
(4) to refocus on the threat posed by violent
fundamentalists and other real threats to the national security
of the United States.
TITLE I--REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM IRAQ
SEC. 101. PROHIBITION ON ESCALATION OF UNITED STATES MILITARY PRESENCE
IN IRAQ.
Funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of
Defense under any provision of law may not be obligated or expended to
increase the number of members of the Armed Forces serving in Iraq so
that the total number of members serving in Iraq at any time exceeds
the number of members serving in Iraq as of the date of the enactment
of this Act unless the increase is specifically authorized by an Act of
Congress.
SEC. 102. REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM IRAQ.
(a) Commencement of Redeployment.--Not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall begin
the redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq.
(b) Timetable for Completion of Redeployment.--The redeployment
required by subsection (a) shall be completed in the shortest
appropriate time frame, based on the advice of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff and detailed plan for the transfer of security responsibility on
a sector-by-sector basis to be negotiated with the appropriate
authorities of the Government of Iraq. It is the sense of Congress that
the phrase ``shortest appropriate time frame'' should be no longer than
one year.
(c) Redeployment Locations.--The majority of units of the Armed
Forces redeployed pursuant to subsection (a) should be returned to the
United States. Other units should be redeployed as part of a rapid
reaction force in the Middle East, with the capacity to respond to
contingencies in Iraq and in Afghanistan for the purpose of expanding
secured areas and preventing the reemergence of the Taliban.
(d) Mission of Armed Forces in Iraq.--Until the redeployment
required by subsection (a) is completed, the mission of the Armed
Forces in Iraq should focus on supporting the Iraqi Army in holding and
stabilizing population centers, rather than using the Armed Forces to
engage in combat operations against insurgents.
SEC. 103. RESTORATION OF IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY.
(a) Prohibition on Permanent United States Military Installations
in Iraq.--No permanent or long-term military installation, which is
designed or intended to be occupied by a unit of the United States
Armed Forces after the redeployment of the Armed Forces from Iraq
pursuant to section 102, may be constructed in Iraq.
(b) Prohibition on United States Actions to Control Oil Resources
in Iraq.--No official or representative of the Government of the United
States shall seek to exercise control over the petroleum
infrastructure, petroleum resources, or the economic policies of Iraq.
TITLE II--ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ
SEC. 201. ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Requirement to Provide Assistance Through Iraqi Businesses and
Nationals.--Funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the
reconstruction of Iraq or economic development in Iraq under any
provision of law shall, to the maximum extent possible and appropriate,
be expended through--
(1) Iraqi-owned businesses, with a preference for small
businesses; and
(2) private voluntary organizations or businesses of any
nationality whose Iraq-based staff consists primarily of
individuals who are nationals of Iraq.
(b) Sense of Congress Regarding Iraq Community Action Program.--It
is the sense of Congress that the Iraq Community Action Program of the
United States Agency for International Development is an effective
economic development program being carried out at the local level in
Iraq and should be greatly expanded.
SEC. 202. ASSISTANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY PROMOTION.
(a) Assistance.--The President is authorized to provide assistance
for the promotion of democracy and civil society in Iraq.
(b) Activities Supported.--Assistance provided under subsection (a)
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to strengthen
participatory, nonpartisan, multi-ethnic institutions of civil society
in Iraq, including labor and trade unions, chambers of commerce,
environmental organizations, peacebuilding and reconciliation programs,
and social and community organizations.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--To carry out this section, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the President $40,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2010.
(2) Additional requirements.--Amounts appropriated pursuant
to the authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1)--
(A) are authorized to remain available until
expended; and
(B) are in addition to amounts otherwise available
for such purposes.
SEC. 203. ASSISTANCE FOR MILITIA DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION, AND
REINTEGRATION.
(a) Assistance.--The President is authorized to provide assistance
for the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of militias in
Iraq.
(b) Activities Supported.--Assistance provided under subsection (a)
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be used to support--
(1) the presence of neutral international experts as
advisors to the Government of Iraq on the processes of
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of militias; and
(2) the establishment of a single office in the Government
of Iraq to coordinate assistance for disarmament,
demobilization, and reintegration of militias.
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that members
and units of the United States Armed Forces should not carry out or
otherwise participate in activities supported under this section.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--To carry out this section, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the President such sums as may
be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2010.
(2) Additional requirements.--Amounts appropriated pursuant
to the authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1)--
(A) are authorized to remain available until
expended; and
(B) are in addition to amounts otherwise available
for such purposes.
SEC. 204. FEDERAL CONTRACTS FOR IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION.
(a) Termination of All Contracts of Contractor Not Fulfilling Terms
of One Contract.--In the case of a contractor with more than one
contract awarded by the Federal Government to perform Iraq
reconstruction, the President may terminate all such contracts of the
contractor if the contractor is not fulfilling the terms of one of its
contracts for Iraq reconstruction. Any funds recovered from the
termination of such contracts shall be considered to be funds available
for the reconstruction of Iraq or economic development in Iraq and
shall, to the maximum extent possible and appropriate, be expended in
accordance with section 201(a).
(b) Recovery of Funds.--It is the sense of Congress that the
President should make aggressive use of the authority to recover funds
from any contracts for Iraq reconstruction that are terminated, whether
terminated pursuant to the authority in subsection (a) or as otherwise
provided by law.
(c) War Profiteering.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and
State, should aggressively seek to prosecute any perpetrators of
criminal fraud in the awarding and carrying out of Federal contracts
for Iraq reconstruction.
(d) Congressional Oversight.--It is the sense of Congress that the
appropriate committees of jurisdiction in the House of Representatives
and the Senate should use their full authority to investigate the
awarding and carrying out of contracts by the Government to conduct
activities in Iraq regarding the following matters:
(1) The award of such contracts, including the solicitation
and evaluation of bids or proposals.
(2) Standards for the auditing of such contracts.
(3) Procedures for oversight of the performance of such
contracts.
(4) Forms of payment and safeguards against money
laundering.
(5) Accountability of contractors and Government officials
involved in the award and carrying out of such contracts.
(6) Penalties for violations of law and abuses in the
awarding and carrying out of such contracts.
(7) The use of subcontracts under large, comprehensive
contracts.
(8) The inclusion and use of small businesses in such
contracts, through subcontracts or otherwise.
TITLE III--DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS
SEC. 301. REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY.
(a) In General.--The President, acting through the Secretary of
State and the Secretary of Defense, shall undertake a regional
diplomatic effort to establish a regional security dialogue to provide
support and cooperation in promoting stability in Iraq. Such an effort
shall include direct bilateral negotiations with all of Iraq's
neighboring countries and other relevant regional and nonregional
governments and international organizations, such as the United
Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Arab League, and
the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
(b) Diplomatic Options.--If appropriate, the President, acting
through the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, shall seek
to formalize the regional security dialogue required under subsection
(a) in a multilateral support group framework and host a regional
security conference.
(c) Sense of Congress Regarding Policy.--It is the sense of
Congress that the negotiations and security dialogue required under
subsection (a) should not undermine United States policy in support of
the security of Israel, the sovereignty of Lebanon, or the autonomy of
Iraqi Kurds.
(d) Comprehensive Agreements.--The President, acting through the
Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, shall seek to use the
negotiations required under subsection (a) to reach comprehensive
agreements with Syria and Iran regarding ending support for terrorism,
nuclear nonproliferation, cessation of violence against Israel, and
other outstanding issues. The President, acting through the Secretary
of State and the Secretary of Defense shall further demonstrate a
willingness to provide the necessary security guarantees and economic
and diplomatic incentives for such agreements.
(e) Israeli-Palestinian Peace.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
United States support for progress in the Israeli-Palestinian
peace process is an important factor for the United States to
regain credibility and influence in the Middle East.
(2) United states effort.--The President, acting through
the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, shall
undertake a renewed effort towards securing Israeli-Palestinian
peace by encouraging negotiations aimed at the establishment of
an independent and contiguous Palestinian state living
alongside a secure Israel in peace, on a basis similar to the
parameters for peace presented to Israel and the Palestinian
Authority by former President Bill Clinton in December 2000 and
the unofficial Geneva Accords of 2003.
(f) United Nations.--The President shall direct the Permanent
Representative of the United States to the United Nations to seek a new
resolution in the United Nations Security Council supporting regional
and international cooperation in promoting stability in Iraq and
authorizing renewed United Nations assistance to promote security and
political reconciliation in Iraq.
SEC. 302. INTERNAL IRAQ DIPLOMACY.
(a) Benchmarks.--The President, in partnership with the Government
of Iraq, shall develop a series of benchmarks in the areas of national
reconciliation, security, and governance.
(b) Sense of Congress Regarding Support for the Government of
Iraq.--It is the sense of Congress that further political and economic
support for the Government of Iraq should be conditioned on significant
progress towards achieving the benchmarks referred to in subsection
(a).
(c) Special Envoy.--
(1) Appointment.--Not later than 15 days after the date
determined in subsection (d), the President shall appoint an
individual to serve as Special Envoy for Iraq Reconciliation.
(2) Criteria for appointment.--An individual appointed
under paragraph (1) shall be of significant stature and shall
have the respect and trust of parties within Iraq.
(3) Duties.--The Special Envoy shall--
(A) encourage dialogue between sectarian
communities within Iraq with the goal of promoting
peace and national reconciliation;
(B) engage all political and military entities,
including all militias and insurgents (except militias
and insurgents associated or affiliated in any way or
manner with al-Qaeda) within Iraq in a peace process;
and
(C) encourage religious and tribal leaders to speak
out in favor of peace and reconciliation.
(d) Role of the United Nations.--The requirement for the President
to appoint a Special Envoy in accordance with subsection (c) shall be
satisfied by the appointment by the United Nations of such a special
envoy based on the same criteria and with the same duties as described
in such subsection, provided such United Nations appointment occurs not
later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 303. REFUGEES FROM IRAQ.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the humanitarian impact of the war in Iraq,
particularly the problem of refugees from Iraq, needs greater
attention from the United States Government;
(2) the United States should greatly increase the number of
refugees from Iraq who are admitted to the United States and
increase the amount of assistance provided to support Iraqi
refugees elsewhere;
(3) the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of
State, as appropriate, should seek to streamline procedures for
the admission to the United States of refugees from Iraq and
ease the burden of applying for refugee status;
(4) the 20,000 unallocated refugee admissions authorized by
Presidential Determination No. 2007-1 should be used for
refugees from Iraq; and
(5) special attention should be given to particularly
vulnerable Iraqi refugee populations, including Iraqis who
worked with United States Armed Forces, ethnically mixed
families, and members of religious minority groups.
(b) Action.--The President, acting through the Secretary of
Homeland Security and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, shall,
for any country containing a significant population of Iraqi refugees--
(1) if, appropriate, seek to negotiate a bilateral refugee
resettlement agreement for the purpose of expediting the
admission into the United States of such refugees; or
(2) if the bilateral refugee resettlement agreement
referred to in paragraph (1) is not achievable, devise
strategies, in consultation with the host government and
relevant international organizations and agencies, for the
provision of assistance to facilitate the well-being, safety,
and integration into their host environments of such refugees.
(c) Sense of Congress Regarding Funding.--It is the sense of
Congress that the President should submit to Congress a supplemental
appropriations request to provide sufficient funding to carry out
subsection (b).
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