[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 147 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 147

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
    States is committed to victory in the global War on Terror and 
 committed to victory on that battlefield in the War on Terror that is 
                                 Iraq.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 8, 2007

 Mr. King of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Hensarling, 
 Mrs. Myrick, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Miller of 
 Florida, Mr. Gingrey, Mr. Walberg, Mr. Pence, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Sali, 
  Mr. Saxton, and Mr. Radanovich) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
  to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
    States is committed to victory in the global War on Terror and 
 committed to victory on that battlefield in the War on Terror that is 
                                 Iraq.

Whereas Congress respects the constitutional authorities given the President in 
        Article II, section 2 of the Constitution which states that ``The 
        President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United 
        States'';
Whereas the United States strategy and operations in Iraq can only be sustained 
        and achieved with support from the American people and with a level of 
        bipartisanship;
Whereas it is in the national security interest of the United States that a 
        democratic Iraq be able to govern, sustain, and defend itself;
Whereas a United States military departure from Iraq before Iraq can govern, 
        sustain, and defend itself will likely lead to a failed state and 
        consequently a safe haven for Islamic radicals, including al Qaeda and 
        Hezbollah, who are determined to attack the United States and her allies 
        domestically and abroad;
Whereas a United States departure from Iraq before Iraq can govern, sustain, and 
        defend itself may lead to a broader regional conflict, possibly 
        involving Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, and may result in the 
        United States having to return to the region at greater cost in American 
        lives;
Whereas a United States departure from Iraq before Iraq can govern, sustain, and 
        defend itself will lead to massive humanitarian suffering, including 
        widespread ethnic killings and countless refugees and internally 
        displaced persons, many of whom will be tortured and killed for having 
        assisted Coalition forces;
Whereas a United States departure from Iraq before Iraq can govern, sustain, and 
        defend itself will embolden the enemies of the United States and cause 
        friend and foe of the United States alike to doubt the determination of 
        the United States to defend its national security interests and to 
        defeat terrorism;
Whereas despite successful elections and a constitutional referendum in Iraq in 
        2005, in which large numbers of Iraqis participated, violence between 
        numerous groups competing for power in Iraq increased in 2006;
Whereas the Commander in Chief, following lengthy consultations and advice 
        offered from a wide variety of expert sources in and out of government, 
        has proposed a new plan for Iraq to bring the violence under control and 
        achieve success;
Whereas the chances of success of the new plan of the Commander in Chief, while 
        not guaranteed, are likely better than either the status quo or a 
        precipitous withdrawal of United States and Coalition forces from Iraq;
Whereas the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group, on page 73 of its report, stated that 
        it could ``support a short-term redeployment or surge of American combat 
        forces to stabilize Baghdad, or to speed up the training and equipping 
        mission, if the U.S. Commander in Iraq determines that such steps would 
        be effective'';
Whereas the new Multi-National Force Commander-Iraq, General David Petraeus, and 
        the new Combatant Commander of Central Command, Admiral William Fallon, 
        have endorsed the plan of the Commander in Chief;
Whereas former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, co-chairman of the Iraq 
        Study Group, on January 30, 2007, told the Senate Foreign Relations 
        Committee ``the President's plan ought to be given a chance''; and
Whereas Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have at various times 
        called upon the Commander in Chief to add additional troops in Iraq to 
        be able to clear and hold areas in Iraq previously held by insurgents: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That--
            (1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
                    (A) the consequences of failure in Iraq pose a 
                serious threat to security of the American people and 
                the security and economic interests of the United 
                States; and
                    (B) the United States must remain committed to 
                helping the Government of Iraq establish a nation that 
                can govern, sustain, and defend itself; and
            (2) the House of Representatives supports the members of 
        the United States Armed Forces and their mission in Iraq and in 
        the global War on Terror and is committed to providing the 
        Armed Forces with the moral and tangible support necessary to 
        complete the mission and secure victory.
                                 <all>