Obama introduces Iraq bill -- "The Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007"

"Our troops have preformed brilliantly in Iraq, but no amount of American soldiers can solve the political differences at the heart of somebody else's civil war. That's why I have introduced a plan to not only stop the escalation of this war, but begin a phased redeployment that can pressure the Iraqis to finally reach a political settlement and reduce the violence." "The American people have been asked to be patient too many times, too many lives have been lost and too many billions have been spent. It's time for a policy that can bring a responsible end to this war and bring our troops home." And with these words today, U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) introduced binding and comprehensive legislation that would seem to reverse the President's dangerous and ill-conceived escalation of the Iraq war. It also sets up a new course of action for US policy that he says will bring a responsible end to the war and bring our troops home. The legislation starts the redeployment no later than May 1, 2007 with the goal of extricating all combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008. That date is consistent with the bipartisan Iraq Study Group report. Key elements of Obama's plan are: * Stops the Escalation -- US troops at January 10, 2007 levels * De-escalates the War with Phased Redeployment -- starts May 1, 2007 finsihes March 31, 2008 * Enforces Tough Benchmarks for Progress -- 13 benchmarks based on President Bush's statements and Administration documents * Congressional Oversight -- President to submit report to Congress every 90 days * Intensified Training * Conditions on Economic Assistance -- Government of Iraq must meet benchmarks to continue to get funding * Regional Diplomacy -- launch a comprehensive regional and international diplomatic initiative, a Special Envoy to be appointed to carry out diplomacy within 60 days