Proposed Resolution on Iraq

Whereas,

1. President George Bush announced in May 2003 that major military operations in Iraq had been completed;

2. Since May 2003, more than 2,400 troops have lost their lives in Iraq and 20,000 have been injured;

3. During that same time sectarian violence has erupted in Iraq, described by many as a civil war, at a cost of over 20,000 Iraqi lives;

4. Since then, the U.S. presence has been directed primarily at peace-keeping and self-protection;

5. These facts lead to the inescapable conclusion that since May 2003, the U.S. has been engaged in an occupation of Iraq;

6. The U.S. has spent approximately $250 billion in the occupation of Iraq;

7. Unlike wars, which end when victory is achieved upon the surrender or clear defeat of an opposing army, occupations should end upon the accomplishment of the goals of the occupation;

8. President Bush has failed to identify to Congress or to the American people the specific goals to be achieved by the current occupation of Iraq or the criteria to be used to determine when those goals have been met;

Now, therefore, we hereby resolve as follows:

President George W. Bush shall report to Congress within 60 days of this resolution and in that report he shall set forth clearly and specifically the goals and objectives of the current occupation of Iraq; the criteria by which the achievement of those goals can be determined; the strategies to be used by U.S. forces to achieve those goals; the estimated financial cost of the occupation from this date forward to its conclusion; and the estimated time necessary to achieve those goals and conclude the occupation. The failure of the President to comply with this Resolution shall result in the rescission of the war powers previously granted to him.

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The United States Senate

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The United States House of Representatives