Senator Feinstein, 7 Other Senators
Seek Answers From President on Iraq
September 9, 2003

Washington DC - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and eight other Democratic senators today introduced legislation requiring the White House to submit a detailed report to Congress on the situation in Iraq within 60 days.

The bill comes on the heels of the President's address to the nation announcing his attention to seek an additional $87 billion to fund reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"After months of dodging questions, giving half-answers, and ignoring Congressional requests, the time has come for this Administration to level with the Congress and the American people about Iraq." Senator Feinstein said.

"President Bush declared an end to major combat operations in Iraq on May 1, 2003, yet as of early September, conditions in parts of Iraq continue to be unstable, long-term costs related to the conflict and reconstruction remain uncertain, and there are no detailed plans on a myriad of issues facing Iraq."

Specifically, the legislation calls on the President to submit a report to Congress that would set forth:

• the current economic, political, and military situation in Iraq, including the number, type and location of attacks on U.S. and coalition military and civilian personnel in the previous 60 days;



• a discussion of the measures taken to protect U.S. troops serving in Iraq;



• a detailed plan for the establishment of civil, economic and political security in Iraq, including the restoration of basic services such as water and electricity and the construction of schools, roads and medical clinics in Iraq;
  

• the current and projected costs incurred by the United States, by Iraq, and by the international community;



• actions taken and to be taken by the Administration to secure increased international participation in peacekeeping forces and the economic and political reconstruction of Iraq;



• a detailed time frame and specific steps to be taken for the restoration of self-government to the people of Iraq;



• cost estimates for achieving those goals; and



• U.S. and international military personnel requirements for achieving those goals.
  

"We have assumed an enormous responsibility in Iraq and we must stay the course," Senator Feinstein said. "But we need to hear from the Administration on how it intends to stay that course and where that course will lead us."

The co-sponsors of the bill are Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Russell Feingold (D-WI), and Blanche Lincoln (D-AK).

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