Majority Of Senate Votes In Support Of Senators Warner, Collins Iraqi Benchmark Legislation

Press Release

MAJORITY OF SENATE VOTES IN SUPPORT OF SENATORS WARNER, COLLINS IRAQI BENCHMARK LEGISLATION

In a vote that shows bipartisan and increasing support for legislation requiring the Iraqi government to meet certain of benchmarks of progress, a majority of the U.S. Senate today voted in support of an amendment authored by Senators John Warner (R-VA), and Susan Collins (R-ME). The amendment requires the President to provide two progress reports to Congress, on July 15 and September 15 of this year, on whether the Iraqis are meeting a number of benchmarks essential to achieving political reconciliation in Iraq. The benchmarks include: requirement that the Iraqis increase the number of their security forces capable of operating independently; enactment and implementation of de-Baathification legislation; enactment of constitutional and electoral reforms; and passage of legislation to ensure the equitable distribution of oil revenues.

In addition, the amendment includes a provision authored by Senator Collins that would require the Iraqis to meet the benchmarks in order to receive reconstruction dollars from the U.S. government. This is the first instance where the U.S. Senate has gone on record supporting economic consequences if the Iraqis do not meet certain benchmarks.

In a speech to the U.S. Senate, Senator Collins said, "It is important that there be consequences if the Iraqis do not meet these benchmarks. This amendment includes a provision I authored that conditions the release of reconstruction funds to progress made by the Iraqi government. If the Iraqis are not making progress, we should not continue to provide reconstruction funds."

Senator Collins is also calling on Senate leaders to include the Warner-Collins benchmark provisions when the Senate considers the Supplemental Appropriations bill. "There is clearly a majority of support in the Senate for benchmarks. When the Senate considers the Iraq Supplemental Spending bill, it should include the benchmarks that are laid out in the Warner-Collins amendment."

Senator Collins also reiterated her view that if the President's strategy of deploying additional troops to Iraq, which she opposes, does not demonstrate significant results by September, then she believes that Congress should consider all options, including a redefinition of our mission in Iraq and a gradual, but significant withdrawal of our troops next year.

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