Today Warner and Lugar presented an amendment for a new War Authorization Bill.
The details are sketchy right now but the one glaring thing that sticks out to me is that they want Bush to present a new plan.
Excerpts from the article and comments to follow to follow:
Republican Senators Call for New War Authorization
By JEFF ZELENY
Published: July 13, 2007
WASHINGTON, July 13 — Two leading Republican senators said today that President Bush should seek a new war authorization and present a plan to Congress by Oct. 16 outlining contingency plans in Iraq. Those plans, which would include reducing American forces, should begin by the end of the year.
Senators John W. Warner of Virginia and Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, both of whom have criticized the administration’s troop buildup plan, introduced a measure expected to be considered next week when the Iraq war debate resumes. The senators said it was critical to move beyond the current clash between Congress and the White House and begin making plans to be implemented after the military releases its progress report in September.
...
One of the main elements of their amendment, which was filed shortly after noon today, would require the president to seek a new rationale for the war authorization by the time Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top military commander in Iraq, delivers a report in September on the progress of the troop buildup. The measure also would require the president to review and update the National Intelligence Estimate for Iraq no later than Sept. 4.
"Many of the conditions and motivations that existed when we authorized force almost five years ago no longer exist or are irrelevant to our current situation," Mr. Lugar said. He went on, saying the 2002 war authorization is "obsolete and requires revision."
NYT Link
I won't comment on what is in the article I will leave that for you to digest. But here are some thoughts of mine on such a approach.
First would have to come a Sunset of the original Iraq Authorization like Clinton and Byrd are suggesting. Then comes a new authorization? As the article says:
That proposal, though, is not favored by the Democratic leadership because several senators who voted against the 2002 authorization are reluctant to endorse a new one.
What Warner and Lugar are suggesting it that Bush crafts a new authorization. I don't think so. Yeah they are calling for a reduction in troops. But at the same time, it seems to me, they are trying to buy perhaps an infinite among of FU's. That won't fly.
If there were to be a new authorization bill - IF - the first thing is that congress should spell out the terms of the military action just as the Constitution subscribes - not Bush.
The second thing is that the bill should have a built-in Sunset date so it does not authorize another endless war. Now it would be nice if it only ran 90 to 180 days max and then come up for renewal after that time. We need to keep any new authorization on a short string. It would also be nice to have an emergency escape clause should we want to exit all or part of the troops in between sunsets for stated reasons.
Thirdly a prescribed amount of troops for the remaining mission should be spelled out along with prescribed deployment times and rest periods. National Guard and Reserve participation should be kept at a minimum.
Fourth we should consider benchmarks as a guide for renewal, if necessary, or using any escape clause.
Fifth it should be considered if we would be better served if this went "On Budget" as opposed to supplementals. I have some reservations on that but I thought I would mention it.
There is probably more items to consider and include but those are my initial thoughts.
As the amendment stands with Bush presenting a new plan I don't think like Armando that I can even come close to "embracing" it in it's present form.
Certainly a new authorization is another approach leading to the same place - the draw down and ultimate withdrawal of all combat forces. If a new name would make that goal palatable to a veto proof majority then fine with me. Call it ice cream if you want as long as it accomplishes our goal.
Sorry for the short diary but I wanted to get this out for discussion.