[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12556-12565]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 1112. Ms. STABENOW (for herself and Mr. Levin) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill H.R. 1495, to 
provide for the conservation and development of water and related 
resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various 
projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, 
and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as 
follows:

       At the appropriate place in title III, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 3___. SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MICHIGAN.

       (a) In General.--Section 1149 of the Water Resources 
     Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4254) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 1149. SAULT SAINTE MARIE, MICHIGAN.

       ``The Secretary shall construct, at Federal expense, a 
     second lock, with a width of not less than 110 feet and a 
     length of not less than 1,200 feet, adjacent to the lock at 
     Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, in existence on the date of 
     enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, 
     generally in accordance with the report of the Board of 
     Engineers for Rivers and Harbors dated May 19, 1986, and the 
     limited reevaluation report dated February 2004, at a total 
     cost of $341,714,000.''.
       (b) Conforming Repeals.--The following provisions of law 
     are repealed:
       (1) Paragraph (8) of section 107(a) of the Water Resources 
     Development Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4620).
       (2) Section 330 of the Water Resources Development Act of 
     1996 (110 Stat. 3717).
       (3) Section 330 of the Water Resources Development Act of 
     1999 (113 Stat. 305).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1113. Ms. LANDRIEU submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title V, insert the following:

     SEC. 5___. CATASTROPHIC FLOODING RECOVERY.

       (a) Definition of Catastrophic Flooding Event.--In this 
     section, the term ``catastrophic flooding event'' includes a 
     flooding event caused by--
       (1) the failure of a levee;
       (2) a natural disaster declared by the Federal Government; 
     or
       (3) inadequate flood damage reduction measures.
       (b) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the date on 
     which a catastrophic flooding event occurs, as determined by 
     the Secretary, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
     report that contains specific project recommendations 
     relating to flood damage reduction, hurricane protection, and 
     environmental restoration to be carried out in response to 
     the catastrophic flooding event.
       (c) Feasibility Studies.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on 
     which a report described in subsection (b) is submitted to 
     Congress, the Secretary shall initiate a feasibility study on 
     each project included in the report.
       (2) Deadline.--A feasibility study initiated under 
     paragraph (1) shall be completed by not later than 3 years 
     after the date of initiation.
       (d) Preconstruction and Design Activities.--The Secretary 
     shall begin development of preconstruction engineering and 
     document design activities for a project on the later of--
       (1) the date on which the feasibility report relating to 
     the project is completed under subsection (c); and
       (2) the date on which the Chief of Engineers submits to the 
     Secretary a report approving the project.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1114. Ms. LANDRIEU submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II, insert the following:

                      Subtitle D--8/29 Commission

     SEC. 2061. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``8/29 Commission Act''.

     SEC. 2062. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which struck the United 
     States in 2005, caused almost $200,000,000,000 in total 
     economic losses, including insured and uninsured losses;
       (2) multiple reviews have been conducted, and multiple 
     commissions have been established, with respect to assessing 
     the failure of levee systems and related infrastructure 
     beginning in August 2005, but few definitive recommendations 
     have been offered, and Congress has not been provided with 
     specific proposals for action regarding the levees;
       (3) to the extent the United States continues to face the 
     possibility of another significant levee failure and the 
     possible resulting devastation and damage, a proper technical 
     and investigative review is needed; and
       (4) the most efficient and effective approach to assessing 
     the failure of the levees and subsequent devastation is--
       (A) to establish a bipartisan commission of experts to 
     study--
       (i) the management, construction, and funding of levee, 
     flood control, and hurricane protection projects; and
       (ii) the means by which the Federal Government responds to 
     catastrophic disasters and by which the Federal Government 
     prepares and develops contingency plans and disaster 
     preparations; and
       (B) to require the Commission to timely report the 
     recommendations of the Commission to Congress so that 
     Congress can quickly identify any outstanding issues and 
     determine a solution to protect residents of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 2063. ESTABLISHMENT OF 8/29 COMMISSION.

       There is established a commission, to be known as the ``8/
     29 Commission'', to examine the events beginning on August 
     29, 2005, with respect to the failure of levees in response 
     to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (referred to in this subtitle 
     as the ``Commission'').

     SEC. 2064. MEMBERSHIP.

       (a) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 12 
     members, of whom--
       (1) 2 members shall be appointed by the President;
       (2) 2 members shall be appointed by the Chairperson, in 
     consultation with the Ranking Member, of the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works of the Senate;
       (3) 2 members shall be appointed by the Chairperson, in 
     consultation with the Ranking Member, of the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
       (4) 2 members shall be appointed by the Chairperson, in 
     consultation with the Ranking Member, of the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (5) 2 members shall be appointed by the Chairperson, in 
     consultation with the Ranking Member, of the Committee on 
     Homeland Security of the House of Representatives; and
       (6) 2 members shall be appointed by the Governor of the 
     State of Louisiana, subject to confirmation by the Committee 
     on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
       (b) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--
       (1) Election of chairperson and vice chairperson.--The 
     Commission shall, by a majority of the members of the 
     Commission, elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from 
     among the members of the Commission.
       (2) Political affiliation.--The Chairperson and the Vice 
     Chairperson elected by the members of the Commission under 
     paragraph (1) shall not both be affiliated with the same 
     political party.

[[Page 12557]]

       (c) Prohibition.--No elected official of the Federal 
     Government shall serve as a member of the Commission.
       (d) Sense of Congress Regarding Qualifications.--It is the 
     sense of Congress that individuals appointed to the 
     Commission should be--
       (1) prominent United States citizens; and
       (2) individuals who are nationally recognized for a 
     significant depth of experience in professions such as--
       (A) governmental service;
       (B) engineering;
       (C) public works;
       (D) wetlands restoration;
       (E) public administration;
       (F) disaster planning and recovery; and
       (G) environmental planning.
       (e) Meetings; Quorum; Vacancies.--
       (1) Initial meeting.--If, on the date that is 60 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, at least 8 members of the 
     Commission have been appointed under subsection (a), the 
     members may meet and, if necessary, select a temporary 
     chairperson, who may begin the operations of the Commission, 
     including the hiring of staff.
       (2) Subsequent meetings.--After the initial meeting, the 
     Commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson or a 
     majority of the members of the Commission.
       (3) Quorum.--7 members of the Commission shall constitute a 
     quorum.
       (4) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission--
       (A) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
       (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment was made.

     SEC. 2065. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

       The Commission shall--
       (1) review findings and recommendations contained in all 
     public and private studies conducted in the aftermath of the 
     levee failures in the State of Louisiana on or after August 
     29, 2005, including--
       (A) the study entitled ``The Federal Response to Hurricane 
     Katrina'' and dated February 2006;
       (B) the study entitled ``Performance Review of FEMA's 
     Disaster Management Activities in Response to Hurricane 
     Katrina'', numbered OIG-06-32, and dated March 2006;
       (C) the study entitled ``A Failure of Initiative: Final 
     Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the 
     Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina'' (Report 
     No. 109-377) and dated February 15, 2006;
       (D) the study entitled ``Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still 
     Unprepared'' (S. Rept. 109-322);
       (E) the study entitled ``Interagency Task Force Report'' 
     and dated June 1, 2006; and
       (F) the study entitled ``Prioritizing America's Water 
     Resources'', published by the National Associations of Public 
     Administrators, and dated February 2007;
       (2) examine and review the ongoing exposure of the United 
     States to the levee failures described in paragraph (1) and 
     other potential future levee failures; and
       (3) submit to the President and Congress a report that 
     contains recommendations for any necessary legislative or 
     regulatory change that will--
       (A) improve the functioning of the Corps of Engineers to 
     prevent a catastrophic levee failure;
       (B) ensure proper planning and review of Federal and State 
     agencies to prevent such a failure in the future;
       (C) provide for environmental management and recovery 
     during and after a disaster;
       (D) provide for the identification of each party that was 
     responsible for each error that helped cause the events of 
     August 29, 2005; and
       (E) outline each proposal that is necessary to revise the 
     management, planning, funding, and oversight of the levees 
     and flood control projects that are located in the disaster 
     affected areas.

     SEC. 2066. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Hearings and evidence.--In carrying out the duties of 
     the Commission under this subtitle, the Commission, and any 
     subcommittee or member acting under the authority of the 
     Commission, may--
       (A) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and 
     places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and 
     administer such oaths as the Commission, subcommittee, or 
     member, as applicable, determines to be appropriate; and
       (B) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and 
     testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, 
     records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as 
     the Commission, subcommittee, or member, as applicable, 
     determines to be appropriate.
       (2) Subpoenas.--
       (A) In general.--A subpoena issued under paragraph (1)(B)--
       (i) may be issued under the signature of the Chairperson of 
     the Commission, with the concurrence of the Vice Chairperson 
     of the Commission; and
       (ii) may be served by any person designated by the 
     Chairperson of the Commission.
       (B) Applicability of revised statutes.--Sections 102 
     through 104 of the Revised Statutes (2 U.S.C. 192 et seq.) 
     shall apply in the case of a failure of any witness to comply 
     with a subpoena or to testify when summoned under authority 
     of this section.
       (b) Contracting.--The Commission may, to such extent and in 
     such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter 
     into contracts to enable the Commission to carry out the 
     duties of the Commission under this subtitle.
       (c) Information From Federal Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from a 
     Federal agency such information as the Commission considers 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
       (2) Provision of information.--On request of the 
     Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the agency shall 
     provide the information to the Commission.
       (d) Assistance From Federal Agencies.--
       (1) General services administration.--The Administrator of 
     General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a 
     reimbursable basis, administrative support and other services 
     to assist the Commission in carrying out the duties of the 
     Commission under this subtitle.
       (2) Other departments and agencies.--In addition to the 
     assistance prescribed under paragraph (1), any other Federal 
     department or agency may provide to the Commission such 
     services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support 
     services as the head of the department or agency determines 
     to be appropriate and in accordance with applicable law.
       (e) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as other agencies of the Federal Government.
       (f) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
     gifts or donations of services or property.

     SEC. 2067. STAFF OF THE COMMISSION.

       (a) Staff.--
       (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may, 
     without regard to the civil service laws (including 
     regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director and 
     such other additional personnel as are necessary to enable 
     the Commission to perform the duties of the Commission.
       (2) Confirmation of executive director.--The employment of 
     an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the 
     Commission.
       (3) Compensation.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of 
     the executive director and other personnel without regard to 
     the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
     of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of 
     positions and General Schedule pay rates.
       (B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the executive 
     director and other personnel shall not exceed the rate 
     payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5316 of title 5, United States Code.
       (b) Personnel as Federal Employees.--
       (1) In general.--The executive director and any personnel 
     of the Commission who are employees shall be employees under 
     section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of 
     chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that title.
       (2) Members of commission.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
     to any member of the Commission.
       (c) Detail of Federal Government Employees.--
       (1) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may 
     be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement.
       (2) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall 
     be without interruption or loss of civil service status or 
     privilege.
       (d) Consultant Services.--The Commission may procure the 
     services of any expert or consultant, in accordance with 
     section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at a rate not to 
     exceed the daily rate of pay of an individual occupying a 
     position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5315 of title 5, United States Code.

     SEC. 2068. REPORT.

       Not later than 120 days after the date on which all members 
     of the Commission are appointed under section 2064(a), the 
     Commission shall submit to the President and Congress a final 
     report that contains--
       (1) a detailed statement of the findings of the Commission; 
     and
       (2) any recommendations of the Commission for legislative 
     or administrative action that the Commission determines to be 
     appropriate.

     SEC. 2069. TERMINATION.

       The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 60 days 
     after the date on which the Commission submits the final 
     report under section 2068.

     SEC. 2070. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry 
     out this subtitle.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1115. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:


[[Page 12558]]

       At the appropriate place in title III, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 3___. SANDBRIDGE BEACH, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA.

       The project for beach erosion control and hurricane 
     protection, Sandbridge Beach, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 
     authorized by section 101(22) of the Water Resources 
     Development Act of 1992 (106 Stat. 4804; 114 Stat. 2612), is 
     modified to authorize the Secretary to review the project to 
     determine whether any additional Federal interest exists with 
     respect to the project, taking into consideration conditions 
     and development levels relating to the project in existence 
     on the date of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1116. Mr. ALLARD submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title V, insert the following:

     SEC. 5___. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, COLORADO.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary may establish a pilot 
     program to provide environmental assistance to non-Federal 
     interests in the State of Colorado (referred to in this 
     section as the ``State'').
       (b) Form of Assistance.--Assistance under this section may 
     be provided in the form of design and construction assistance 
     for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource 
     protection and development projects in the State, including 
     projects for--
       (1) wastewater treatment and related facilities;
       (2) water supply and related facilities;
       (3) water conservation and related facilities;
       (4) stormwater retention and remediation;
       (5) environmental restoration; and
       (6) surface water resource protection and development.
       (c) Public Ownership Requirement.--The Secretary may 
     provide assistance for a project under this section only if 
     the project is publicly owned.
       (d) Local Cooperation Agreement.--
       (1) In general.--Before providing assistance under this 
     section, the Secretary shall enter into a local cooperation 
     agreement with a non-Federal interest to provide for design 
     and construction of the project to be carried out with the 
     assistance.
       (2) Requirements.--Each local cooperation agreement entered 
     into under this subsection shall provide for the following:
       (A) Plan.--Development by the Secretary, in consultation 
     and coordination with appropriate Federal and State 
     officials, of a facilities or resource protection and 
     development plan, including appropriate engineering plans and 
     specifications.
       (B) Legal and institutional structures.--Establishment of 
     such legal and institutional structures as are necessary to 
     ensure the effective long-term operation of the project by 
     the non-Federal interest.
       (3) Cost sharing.--
       (A) In general.--The Federal share of project costs under 
     each local cooperation agreement entered into under this 
     subsection--
       (i) shall be 75 percent; and
       (ii) may be in the form of grants or reimbursements of 
     project costs.
       (B) Pre-cooperative agreement activities.--The Federal 
     share of the cost of activities carried out by the Secretary 
     under this section before the execution of a local 
     cooperative agreement shall be 100 percent.
       (C) Credit for design work.--The non-Federal interest shall 
     receive credit, not to exceed 6 percent of the total 
     construction costs of a project, for the reasonable costs of 
     design work completed by the non-Federal interest before 
     entering into a local cooperation agreement with the 
     Secretary for the project.
       (D) Credit for interest.--In case of a delay in the funding 
     of the Federal share of the costs of a project that is the 
     subject of an agreement under this section, the non-Federal 
     interest shall receive credit for reasonable interest 
     incurred in providing the Federal share of the costs of the 
     project.
       (E) Land, easements, and rights-of-way credit.--The non-
     Federal interest shall receive credit for land, easements, 
     rights-of-way, and relocations toward the non-Federal share 
     of project costs (including all reasonable costs associated 
     with obtaining permits necessary for the construction, 
     operation, and maintenance of the project on publicly owned 
     or controlled land), but not to exceed 25 percent of total 
     project costs.
       (F) Operation and maintenance.--The non-Federal share of 
     operation and maintenance costs for projects constructed with 
     assistance provided under this section shall be 100 percent.
       (e) Applicability of Other Federal and State Laws.--Nothing 
     in this section waives, limits, or otherwise affects the 
     applicability of any provision of Federal or State law that 
     would otherwise apply to a project to be carried out with 
     assistance provided under this section.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
     the period beginning with fiscal year 2008, to remain 
     available until expended.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1117. Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Kerry) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1065 proposed by Mrs. 
Boxer (for herself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. Isakson) to the 
bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and development of 
water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to 
construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of 
the United States, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on 
the table; as follows:

       On page 64, after line 23, insert the following, and 
     redesignate the subsequent paragraphs accordingly:
       (5) Lawrence gateway, massachusetts.--Project for aquatic 
     ecosystem restoration at the Lawrence Gateway quadrant 
     project along the Merrimack and Spicket Rivers in Lawrence, 
     Massachusetts, in accordance with the general conditions 
     established by the project approval of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, Region I, including filling abandoned 
     drainage facilities and making improvements to the drainage 
     system on the Lawrence Gateway to prevent continued migration 
     of contaminated sediments into the river systems.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1118. Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Isakson, and Mr. Chambliss) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1065 
proposed by Mrs. Boxer (for herself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. 
Isakson) to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike section 4028 (relating to Jasper County port 
     facility study, South Carolina) and insert the following:

     SEC. 4028. PROJECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT, SAVANNAH RIVER, SOUTH 
                   CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall determine the 
     feasibility of carrying out projects--
       (1) to improve the Savannah River for navigation and 
     related purposes that may be necessary to support the 
     location of container cargo and other port facilities to be 
     located in Jasper County, South Carolina, in the vicinity of 
     Mile 6 of the Savannah Harbor entrance channel; and
       (2) to remove from the proposed Jasper County port site the 
     easements used by the Corps of Engineers for placement of 
     dredged fill materials for the Savannah Harbor Federal 
     navigation project.
       (b) Factors for Consideration.--In making a determination 
     under subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into 
     consideration--
       (1) landside infrastructure;
       (2) the provision of any additional dredged material 
     disposal area as a consequence of removing from the proposed 
     Jasper County port site the easements used by the Corps of 
     Engineers for placement of dredged fill materials for the 
     Savannah Harbor Federal navigation project; and
       (3) the results of the proposed bistate compact between the 
     State of Georgia and the State of South Carolina to own, 
     develop, and operate port facilities at the proposed Jasper 
     County port site, as described in the term sheet executed by 
     the Governor of the State of Georgia and the Governor of the 
     State of South Carolina on March 12, 2007.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1119. Mr. HARKIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title III, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 3___. PERRY CREEK, IOWA.

       (a) In General.--On making a determination described in 
     subsection (b), the Secretary shall increase the Federal 
     contribution for the project for flood control, Perry Creek, 
     Iowa, authorized under section 401(a) of the Water Resources 
     Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4116; 117 Stat. 1844).
       (b) Determination.--A determination referred to in 
     subsection (a) is a determination that a modification to the 
     project described in that subsection is necessary for the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency to certify that the 
     project provides flood damage

[[Page 12559]]

     reduction benefits to at least a 100-year level.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $4,000,000.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1120. Mr. DOMENICI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title V, insert the following:

     SEC. 5____. SOUTHWEST FLOOD DAMAGE AND SEDIMENT TRANSPORT 
                   RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish within the 
     Corps of Engineers Engineering Research and Development 
     Center the Southwest Flood Damage and Sediment Transport 
     Research Program (referred to in this section as the 
     ``program''), under which the Secretary shall carry out 
     research, development, and demonstration projects on arid 
     systems with respect to--
       (1) sediment transport, erosion, and deposition;
       (2) geomorphology;
       (3) flooding;
       (4) channel restoration; and
       (5) related activities.
       (b) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate projects 
     carried out under the program with--
       (1) the New Mexico District Office of the Corps of 
     Engineers;
       (2) the University of New Mexico; and
       (3) the Desert Research Institute.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1121. Mr. DOMENICI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title V, insert the following:

     SEC. 5____. COMPUTER-ASSISTED DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish within 
     the Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources a 
     computer-assisted dispute resolution program (referred to in 
     this section as the ``program'') to develop and advance the 
     integration of computer-based modeling tools for 
     multistakeholder public decision processes, including 
     through--
       (1) the conduct of research and development of necessary 
     computer tools;
       (2) the implementation of appropriate demonstration 
     projects;
       (3) the establishment of applicable training programs; and
       (4) the conduct of other outreach activities.
       (b) Authorized Activities.--In carrying out the program, 
     the Secretary shall--
       (1) in cooperation with other applicable Federal agencies, 
     establish an interagency center for computer-assisted dispute 
     resolution; and
       (2) consult with--
       (A) other Federal agencies;
       (B) State and local agencies;
       (C) private nonprofit and for-profit organizations; and
       (D) research facilities at institutions of higher 
     education.
       (c) Evaluation.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
     which funds are made available to carry out this section, the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
     Congress a comprehensive evaluation of the program.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
     this section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1122. Mr. LOTT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
her to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title III, insert the 
     following:

     SEC. 3___. JACKSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI.

       (a) Modification.--Section 331 of the Water Resources 
     Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 305) is amended by 
     striking ``$5,000,000'' and inserting ``$9,000,000''.
       (b) Applicability of Credit.--The credit provided by 
     section 331 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 
     (113 Stat. 305) (as modified by subsection (a)) shall apply 
     to costs incurred by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors 
     during the period beginning on February 8, 1994, and ending 
     on the date of enactment of this Act for projects authorized 
     by section 219(c)(5) of the Water Resources Development Act 
     of 1992 (106 Stat. 4835; 110 Stat. 3757; 113 Stat. 334; 113 
     Stat. 1494; 114 Stat. 2763A-219).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1123. Mr REID (for himself and Mr. McConnell) proposed an 
amendment to the bill H.R. 2206, making emergency supplemental 
appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for 
other purposes; as follows:

       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:
       Since under the Constitution, the President and Congress 
     have shared responsibilities for decisions on the use of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States, including their mission, 
     and for supporting the Armed Forces, especially during 
     wartime;
       Since when the Armed Forces are deployed in harm's way, the 
     President, Congress, and the Nation should give them all the 
     support they need in order to maintain their safety and 
     accomplish their assigned or future missions, including the 
     training, equipment, logistics, and funding necessary to 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness, and such support is 
     the responsibility of both the Executive Branch and the 
     Legislative Branch of Government; and
       Since thousands of members of the Armed Forces who have 
     fought bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan are not receiving the 
     kind of medical care and other support this Nation owes them 
     when they return home: Now, therefore, be it
       Determined by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the Sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President and Congress should not take any action 
     that will endanger the Armed Forces of the United States, and 
     will provide necessary funds for training, equipment, and 
     other support for troops in the field, as such actions will 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness in preparing for and 
     carrying out their assigned missions;
       (2) the President, Congress, and the Nation have an 
     obligation to ensure that those who have bravely served this 
     country in time of war receive the medical care and other 
     support they deserve; and
       (3) the President and Congress should--
       (A) continue to exercise their constitutional 
     responsibilities to ensure that the Armed Forces have 
     everything they need to perform their assigned or future 
     missions; and
       (B) review, assess, and adjust United States policy and 
     funding as needed to ensure our troops have the best chance 
     for success in Iraq and elsewhere.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1124. Mr. REID (for himself and Mr. McConnell) proposed an 
amendment to amendment SA 1123 proposed by Mr. Reid (for himself and 
Mr. McConnell) to the bill H.R. 2206, making emergency supplemental 
appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for 
other purposes; as follows:

       Strike all after the first word and insert the following:
       Under the Constitution, the President and Congress have 
     shared responsibilities for decisions on the use of the Armed 
     Forces of the United States, including their mission, and for 
     supporting the Armed Forces, especially during wartime;
       Since when the Armed Forces are deployed in harm's way, the 
     President, Congress, and the Nation should give them all the 
     support they need in order to maintain their safety and 
     accomplish their assigned or future missions, including the 
     training, equipment, logistics, and funding necessary to 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness, and such support is 
     the responsibility of both the Executive Branch and the 
     Legislative Branch of Government; and
       Since thousands of members of the Armed Forces who have 
     fought bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan are not receiving the 
     kind of medical care and other support this Nation owes them 
     when they return home: Now, therefore, be it
       Determined by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President and Congress should not take any action 
     that will endanger the Armed Forces of the United States, and 
     will provide necessary funds for training, equipment, and 
     other support for troops in the field, as such actions will 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness in preparing for and 
     carrying out their assigned missions;
       (2) the President, Congress, and the Nation have an 
     obligation to ensure that those who have bravely served this 
     country in time of war receive the medical care and other 
     support they deserve; and
       (3) the President and Congress should--
       (A) continue to exercise their constitutional 
     responsibilities to ensure that the Armed Forces have 
     everything they need to perform their assigned or future 
     missions; and

[[Page 12560]]

       (B) review, assess, and adjust United States policy and 
     funding as needed to ensure our troops have the best chance 
     for success in Iraq and elsewhere.
       This section shall take effect 1 day after the date of 
     enactment.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1125. Mr. REID proposed an amendment to amendment SA 1124 proposed 
by Mr. Reid (for himself and Mr. McConnell) to the amendment SA 1123 
proposed by Mr. Reid (for himself and Mr. McConnell) to the bill H.R. 
2206, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes; as follows:

       Strike all after Constitution in line 1 and insert the 
     following:
       The President and Congress have shared responsibilities for 
     decisions on the use of the Armed Forces of the United 
     States, including their mission, and for supporting the Armed 
     Forces, especially during wartime;
       Since when the Armed Forces are deployed in harm's way, the 
     President, Congress, and the Nation should give them all the 
     support they need in order to maintain their safety and 
     accomplish their assigned or future missions, including the 
     training, equipment, logistics, and funding necessary to 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness, and such support is 
     the responsibility of both the Executive Branch and the 
     Legislative Branch of Government; and
       Since thousands of members of the Armed Forces who have 
     fought bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan are not receiving the 
     kind of medical care and other support this Nation owes them 
     when they return home: Now, therefore, be it
       Determined by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President and Congress should not take any action 
     that will endanger the Armed Forces of the United States, and 
     will provide necessary funds for training, equipment, and 
     other support for troops in the field, as such actions will 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness in preparing for and 
     carrying out their assigned missions;
       (2) the President, Congress, and the Nation have an 
     obligation to ensure that those who have bravely served this 
     country in time of war receive the medical care and other 
     support they deserve; and
       (3) the President and Congress should--
       (A) continue to exercise their constitutional 
     responsibilities to ensure that the Armed Forces have 
     everything they need to perform their assigned or future 
     missions; and
       (B) review, assess, and adjust United States policy and 
     funding as needed to ensure our. troops have the best chance 
     for success in Iraq and elsewhere.
       This section shall take effect 2 days after date of 
     enactment.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1126. Mr. REID proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 2206, making 
emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2007, and for other purposes; as follows:

       Strike all after the first word and insert the following:
       Since under the Constitution, the President and Congress 
     have shared responsibilities for decisions on the use of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States, including their mission, 
     and for supporting the Armed Forces, especially during 
     wartime;
       Since when the Armed Forces are deployed in harm's way, the 
     President, Congress, and the Nation should give them all the 
     support they need in order to maintain their safety and 
     accomplish their assigned or future missions, including the 
     training, equipment, logistics, and funding necessary to 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness, and such support is 
     the responsibility of both the Executive Branch and the 
     Legislative Branch of Government; and
       Since thousands of members of the Armed Forces who have 
     fought bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan are not receiving the 
     kind of medical care and other support this Nation owes them 
     when they return home: Now, therefore, be it
       Determined by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President and Congress should not take any action 
     that will endanger the Armed Forces of the United States, and 
     will provide necessary funds for training, equipment, and 
     other support for troops in the field, as such actions will 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness in preparing for and 
     carrying out their assigned missions;
       (2) the President, Congress, and the Nation have an 
     obligation to ensure that those who have bravely served this 
     country in time of war receive the medical care and other 
     support they deserve; and
       (3) the President and Congress should--
       (A) continue to exercise their constitutional 
     responsibilities to ensure that the Armed Forces have 
     everything they need to perform their assigned or future 
     missions; and
       (B) review, assess, and adjust United States policy and 
     funding as needed to ensure our troops have the best chance 
     for success in Iraq and elsewhere.
       This section shall take effect 5 days after date of 
     enactment.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1127. Mr. REID proposed an amendment to amendment SA 1126 proposed 
by Mr. Reid to the bill H.R. 2206, making emergency supplemental 
appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for 
other purposes; as follows:

       In the amendment strike all after Congress in line 1 and 
     insert the following:

     have shared responsibilities for decisions on the use of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States, including their mission, 
     and for supporting the Armed Forces, especially during 
     wartime;
       Since when the Armed Forces are deployed in harm's way, the 
     President, Congress, and the Nation should give them all the 
     support they need in order to maintain their safety and 
     accomplish their assigned or future missions, including the 
     training, equipment, logistics, and funding necessary to 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness, and such support is 
     the responsibility of both the Executive Branch and the 
     Legislative Branch of Government; and
       Since thousands of members of the Armed Forces who have 
     fought bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan are not receiving the 
     kind of medical care and other support this Nation owes them 
     when they return home: Now, therefore, be it
       Determined By the Senate (the House of Representatives) 
     Concurring), that it is the Sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President and Congress should not take any action 
     that will endanger the Armed Forces of the United States, and 
     will provide necessary funds for training, equipment, and 
     other support for troops in the field, as such actions will 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness in preparing for and 
     carrying out their assigned missions;
       (2) the President, Congress, and the Nation have an 
     obligation to ensure that those who have bravely served this 
     country in time of war receive the medical care and other 
     support they deserve; and
       (3) the President and Congress should--
       (A) continue to exercise their constitutional 
     responsibilities to ensure that the Armed Forces have 
     everything they need to perform their assigned or future 
     missions; and
       (B) review, assess, and adjust United States policy and 
     funding as needed to ensure our troops have the best chance 
     for success in Iraq and elsewhere.
       This section shall take effect 4 days after the date of 
     enactment.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1128. Mr. REID proposed an amendment to amendment SA 1127 proposed 
by Mr. Reid to the amendment SA 1126 proposed by Mr. Reid to the bill 
H.R 2206, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2007, and for other purposes; as follows:

       At the end of the amendment add the following:
       Since under the Constitution, the President and Congress 
     have shared responsibilities for decisions on the use of the 
     Armed Forces of the United States, including their mission, 
     and for supporting the Armed Forces, especially during 
     wartime;
       Since when the Armed Forces are deployed in harm's way, the 
     President, Congress, and the Nation should give them all the 
     support they need in order to maintain their safety and 
     accomplish their assigned or future missions, including the 
     training, equipment, logistics, and funding necessary to 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness, and such support is 
     the responsibility of both the Executive Branch and the 
     Legislative Branch of Government; and
       Since thousands of members of the Armed Forces who have 
     fought bravely in Iraq and Afghanistan are not receiving the 
     kind of medical care and other support this Nation owes them 
     when they return home: Now, therefore, be it
       Determined by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), that it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President and Congress should not take any action 
     that will endanger the Armed Forces of the United States, and 
     will provide necessary funds for training, equipment, and 
     other support for troops in the field, as such actions will 
     ensure their safety and effectiveness in preparing for and 
     carrying out their assigned missions;
       (2) the President, Congress, and the Nation have an 
     obligation to ensure that those who have bravely served this 
     country in time of war receive the medical care and other 
     support they deserve; and
       (3) the President and Congress should--
       (A) continue to exercise their constitutional 
     responsibilities to ensure that the Armed Forces have 
     everything they need to perform their assigned or future 
     missions; and
       (B) review, assess, and adjust United States policy and 
     funding as needed to ensure our troops have the best chance 
     for success in Iraq and elsewhere.

[[Page 12561]]

       This section shall take effect 3 days after the date of 
     enactment.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1129. Mr. INOUYE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title V, insert the following:

     SEC. 5___. COST SHARING PROVISIONS FOR THE TERRITORIES.

       Section 1156 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 
     (33 U.S.C. 2310) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Use of Federal Funds by Non-Federal Interests.--A 
     non-Federal interest may use Federal funds to provide the 
     non-Federal share of the costs of a study or project carried 
     out at a location referred to in subsection (a), if the 
     agency or department that provides the Federal funds 
     determines that the funds are eligible to be used for that 
     purpose.''.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1130. Mr. OBAMA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place insert the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the `Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 
     2007'.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Congress and the Nation honor the courage, sacrifices, 
     and efforts of the members of the Armed Forces of the United 
     States and their families.
       (2) In his speech to the Nation on January 10, 2007, 
     President George W. Bush said that `I've made it clear to the 
     Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders that America's 
     commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does 
     not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support 
     of the American people . . . The Prime Minister understands 
     this'.
       (3) In that speech, President George W. Bush also told the 
     Nation that `America will hold the Iraqi government to the 
     benchmarks it has announced . . . [T]o take responsibility 
     for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November. To give 
     every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy, Iraq 
     will pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis. 
     To show that it is committed to delivering a better life, the 
     Iraqi government will spend $10,000,000,000 of its own money 
     on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will 
     create new jobs. To empower local leaders, Iraqis plan to 
     hold provincial elections later this year. And to allow more 
     Iraqis to re-enter their nation's political life, the 
     government will reform deBaathification laws, and establish a 
     fair process for considering amendments to Iraq's 
     constitution'.
       (4) In that speech, President George W. Bush also told the 
     Nation that `only Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and 
     secure their people'.
       (5) On December 18, 2006, former Secretary of State Colin 
     Powell stated: `[s]o we have tried this surge of troops over 
     the summer. I am not persuaded that another surge of troops 
     in Baghdad for the purpose of suppressing this communitarian 
     violence, this civil war, will work'.
       (6) On November 15, 2006, General John Abizaid, Commander 
     of the United States Central Command, stated before the 
     Committee on Armed Services of the Senate that `I met with 
     every divisional commander, General Casey, the corps 
     commander, General Dempsey. We all talked together. And I 
     said, in your professional opinion, if we were to bring in 
     more American troops now, does it add considerably to our 
     ability to achieve success in Iraq? And they all said no. And 
     the reason is, because we want the Iraqis to do more. It's 
     easy for the Iraqis to rely upon us to do this work. I 
     believe that more American forces prevent the Iraqis from 
     doing more, from taking more responsibility for their own 
     future'.
       (7) In testimony before the Committee on Foreign Relations 
     of the Senate on January 11, 2007, Secretary of State 
     Condoleezza Rice stated that unless the Government of Iraq 
     has met certain benchmarks and reestablishes the confidence 
     of the Iraqi people over the next several months, `this plan 
     is not going to work'.
       (8) In a statement on January 11, 2007, Secretary of 
     Defense Robert Gates stated `[a]nd we will probably have a 
     better view a couple of months from now in terms of whether 
     we are making headway in terms of getting better control of 
     Baghdad, with the Iraqis in the lead and with the Iraqis 
     beginning to make better progress on the reconciliation 
     process'.
       (9) The bipartisan Iraq Study Group headed by former 
     Secretary of State James Baker and former Representative Lee 
     Hamilton reached a bipartisan consensus on 79 separate 
     recommendations for a new approach in Iraq. Among those 
     recommendations were calling for a new diplomatic offensive 
     in the region and conditioning American economic assistance 
     to Iraq on specific benchmarks, with the expectation that `by 
     the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments 
     in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades 
     not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq'.
       (10) In reaction to the speech of President George W. Bush 
     of January 10, 2007, former Secretary of State Baker and 
     former Representative Hamilton wrote that `[t]he President 
     did not suggest the possibility of a transition that could 
     enable U.S. combat forces to begin to leave Iraq. The 
     President did not state that political, military, or economic 
     support for Iraq would be conditional on the Iraq 
     government's ability to meet benchmarks. Within the region, 
     the President did not announce an international support group 
     for Iraq including all of Iraq's neighbors.
       (b) Purpose.--Ihe purposes of this Act are as follows:
       (1) To formulate and provide for the implementation of an 
     effective United States policy towards Iraq and the Middle 
     East region that employs military, political, diplomatic, and 
     economic assets to promote and protect the national security 
     interests of the United States.
       (2) To provide for the implementation of a responsible, 
     phased redeployment of the Armed Forces of the United States 
     from Iraq in a substantial and gradual manner that places the 
     highest priority on protecting the lives of members of the 
     Armed Forces and civilian personnel of the United States and 
     on promoting the national security interests of the United 
     States in the Middle East region.
       (3) To urge the political parties and leaders of Iraq to 
     reach the political solution necessary to promote stability 
     in Iraq and enhance the safety of innocent Iraqi civilians.
       (4) To condition future economic assistance to the 
     Government of Iraq on significant progress toward the 
     achievement of political and economic measures to be taken by 
     the Government of Iraq.
       (5) To provide for the initiation of a wider and sustained 
     diplomatic strategy aimed at promoting a political settlement 
     in Iraq, thereby ending the civil war in Iraq, preventing a 
     humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq, and preventing a wider 
     regional conflict.
       (6) To provide, through sections 4 through 7, for the 
     implementation of key recommendations of the Iraq Study 
     Group, a bipartisan panel of experts cochaired by former 
     Secretary of State James Baker and former Representative Lee 
     Hamilton.

     SEC. 3. APPROPRIATE FORCE LEVELS FOR UNITED STATES MILITARY 
                   FORCES IN IRAQ.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the levels of 
     the Armed Forces of the United States in Iraq after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act shall not exceed the levels of 
     such forces in Iraq as of January 10, 2007, without specific 
     authority in statute enacted by Congress after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 4. REDEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES MILITARY FORCES FROM 
                   IRAQ.

       (a) Redeployment.--
       (1) Deadline for commencement of redeployment.--Except as 
     otherwise provided in this section, the phased redeployment 
     of the Armed Forces of the United States from Iraq shall 
     commence as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after 
     enactment of this Act.
       (2) Scope and manner of redeployment.--The redeployment of 
     the Armed Forces under this section shall be substantial, 
     shall occur in a gradual manner, and shall be executed at a 
     pace to achieve the goal of the complete redeployment of all 
     United States combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008, 
     consistent with the expectation of the Iraq Study Group, if 
     all the matters set forth in subsection (b)(1)(B) are not met 
     by such date, subject to the exceptions for retention of 
     forces for force protection, counter-terrorism operations, 
     training of Iraqi forces, and other purposes as contemplated 
     by subsection (g).
       (3) Formulation of plan with military commanders.--The 
     redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section should be 
     conducted pursuant to a plan formulated by United States 
     military commanders that is developed, if practicable, in 
     consultation with the Government of Iraq.
       (4) Protection of united states forces and civilian 
     personnel.--In carrying out the redeployment of the Armed 
     Forces under this section, the highest priority shall be 
     afforded to the safety of members of the Armed Forces and 
     civilian personnel of the United States in Iraq.
       (b) Suspension of Redeployment.--

[[Page 12562]]

       (1) In general.--The President may suspend, on a temporary 
     basis as provided in paragraph (2), the redeployment of the 
     Armed Forces under this section if the President certifies to 
     the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives that--
       (A) doing so is in the national security interests of the 
     United States; and
       (B) the Government of Iraq--
       (i) has lifted all restrictions concerning non-interference 
     in operations of the Armed Forces of the United States in 
     Iraq and does so on a continuing basis;
       (ii) is making significant progress in reducing sectarian 
     violence in Iraq and in reducing the size and operational 
     effectiveness of sectarian militias in Iraq;
       (iii) is making significant progress towards removing 
     militia elements from the Iraqi Army, National Police, 
     Facilities Protection Services, and other security forces of 
     the Government of Iraq;
       (iv) has enacted legislation or established other binding 
     mechanisms to ensure the sharing of all Iraqi oil revenues 
     among all segments of Iraqi society in an equitable manner;
       (v) is making significant progress towards making available 
     not less than $10,000,000,000 for reconstruction, job 
     creation, and economic development in Iraq, with safeguards 
     to prevent corruption, by January 10, 2008;
       (vi) has deployed at least 18 Iraqi Army and National 
     Police brigades to Baghdad and is effectively ensuring that 
     such units are performing their security and police functions 
     in all Baghdad neighborhoods, regardless of their sectarian 
     composition;
       (vii) has enacted legislation or established other binding 
     mechanisms to revise its de-Baathification laws to encourage 
     the employment in the Government of Iraq of qualified Iraqi 
     professionals, irrespective of ethnic or political 
     affiliation, including ex-Baathists who were not leading 
     figures of the Saddam Hussein regime;
       (viii) has established a fair process for considering 
     amendments to the constitution of Iraq that promote lasting 
     national reconciliation in Iraq;
       (ix) is making significant progress towards assuming full 
     responsibility for security in all the provinces of Iraq by 
     November 30, 2007;
       (x) is making significant progress towards holding free and 
     fair provincial elections in Iraq at the earliest date 
     practicable, but not later than December 31, 2007;
       (xi) is making substantial progress towards increasing the 
     size and effectiveness of Ministry of Defense forces as 
     described on page 11 of `Highlights of the Iraq Strategy 
     Review' published by the National Security Council in January 
     2007;
       (xii) is making significant progress in reforming and 
     strengthening the civilian ministries and other government 
     institutions that support the Iraqi Army and National Police; 
     and
       (xiii) is making significant progress towards reforming its 
     civilian ministries to ensure that they are not administered 
     on a sectarian basis and that government services are 
     delivered in an even-handed and non-sectarian manner.
       (2) Period of suspension.--A suspension of the redeployment 
     of the Armed Forces under this subsection, including any 
     renewal of the suspension under paragraph (3), shall be for a 
     period not to exceed 90 days.
       (3) Renewal.--A suspension of the redeployment of the Armed 
     Forces under this subsection may be renewed. Any such renewal 
     shall include a certification to the officers referred to in 
     paragraph (1) on the matters set forth in clauses (i) through 
     (xiii) of subparagraph (B) of that paragraph.
       (c) Disapproval of Suspension.--
       (1) Disapproval.--If Congress enacts a joint resolution 
     disapproving the suspension of the redeployment of the Armed 
     Forces under subsection (b), or any renewal of the 
     suspension, the suspension shall be discontinued, and the 
     redeployment of the Armed Forces from Iraq under this section 
     shall resume.
       (2) Procedures for consideration of joint resolutions.--
       (A) Joint resolution defined.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, the term `joint resolution' means only a joint 
     resolution introduced not later than 10 days after the date 
     on which a certification of the President under subsection 
     (b) is received by Congress, the matter after the resolving 
     clause of which is as follows: `That Congress disapproves the 
     certification of the President submitted to Congress under 
     section 4(b) of the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, on 
     XXXXXXX.', the blank space being filled in with the 
     appropriate date.
       (B) Procedures.--A joint resolution described in paragraph 
     (1) shall be considered in a House of Congress in accordance 
     with the procedures applicable to joint resolutions under 
     paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 8066(c) of the 
     Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1985 (as enacted by 
     section 101 (h) of Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 1936).
       (d) Reports to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the 
     President shall submit to the President pro tempore of the 
     Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a 
     report describing and assessing--
       (A) the progress made by the Government of Iraq on each of 
     the matters set forth in subsection (b)(1)(B); and
       (B) the progress of the redeployment required by subsection 
     (a).
       (2) Form.--Each report under this subsection shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.
       (e) Sense of Congress on Location of Redeployment.--It is 
     the sense of Congress that, in redeploying the Armed Forces 
     from Iraq under this section, appropriate units of the Armed 
     Forces should be redeployed--
       (1) to the United States;
       (2) to Afghanistan, in order to enhance United States 
     military operations in that country;
       (3) elsewhere in the region, to serve as an over-the-
     horizon force to prevent the conflict in Iraq from becoming a 
     wider war, to reassure allies of the United States of the 
     commitment of the United States to remain engaged in the 
     region, and to position troops to strike directly at al-
     Qaeda; and
       (4) elsewhere, to meet urgent United States security needs.
       (f) Political Solution in Iraq.--The United States should 
     use the redeployment of the Armed Forces under this section, 
     and the possible suspension of such redeployment if the 
     benchmarks set forth in subsection (b)are met, as a tool to 
     press the Iraqi leaders to promote national reconciliation 
     among ethnic and religious groups in Iraq in order to 
     establish stability in Iraq.
       (g) Retention of Certain Forces in Iraq.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding the requirement for the 
     redeployment of the Armed Forces under subsection (a) and 
     subject to the provisions of this subsection, personnel of 
     the Armed Forces of the United States may be in Iraq after 
     the completion of the redeployment of the Armed Forces under 
     this section for the following purposes:
       (A) To protect United States personnel and facilities in 
     Iraq.
       (B) To conduct targeted counter-terrorism operations.
       (C) To provide training for Iraqi security forces.
       (D) To conduct the routine functions of the Office of 
     Defense Attache.
       (2) Certification.--Personnel of the Armed Forces may not 
     be retained in Iraq under this subsection unless the 
     President certifies to the President pro tempore of the 
     Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that--
       (A) the retention of the Armed Forces in Iraq is necessary 
     for one or more of the purposes set forth in paragraph (1); 
     and
       (B) the utilization of Armed Forces positioned outside Iraq 
     could not result in the effective achievement of such purpose 
     or purposes.
       (3) Disapproval of Retention.--If Congress enacts a joint 
     resolution disapproving the retention of personnel of the 
     Armed Forces in Iraq under this subsection, or any renewal of 
     the retention, the retention of such personnel in Iraq shall 
     be discontinued, and such personnel shall be redeployed from 
     Iraq.
       (4) Procedures for consideration of joint resolutions.--
       (A) Joint resolution defined.--For purposes of paragraph 
     (3), the term `joint resolution' means only a joint 
     resolution introduced not later than 10 days after the date 
     on which a certification of the President under paragraph (2) 
     is received by Congress, the matter after the resolving 
     clause of which is as follows: `That Congress disapproves the 
     certification of the President submitted to Congress under 
     section 4(g)(2) of the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, on 
     XXXXXXX.', the blank space being filled in with the 
     appropriate date.
       (B) Procedures.--A joint resolution described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall be considered in a House of Congress 
     in accordance with the procedures applicable to joint 
     resolutions under paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 
     8066(c) of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1985 
     (as enacted by section 10l(h) of Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 
     1936).
       (h) No Permanent Bases.--Congress hereby reaffirms section 
     1519 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109-364; 120 Stat. 2444), 
     and related provisions of law, that prohibit the 
     establishment of military installations or bases for the 
     purpose of providing for the permanent stationing of United 
     States Armed Forces in Iraq.

     SEC. 5. INTENSIFICATION OF TRAINING OF IRAQI SECURITY FORCES.

       It shall be the policy of the United States to immediately 
     formulate and implement a plan that--
       (1) with the Government of Iraq--
       (A) removes militia elements from the Iraqi Army, National 
     Police, and other security forces of the Government of Iraq; 
     and
       (B) puts such forces in charge of maintaining security in 
     Iraq;
       (2) focuses and intensifies United States efforts on 
     training such forces; and
       (3) presses the Government of Iraq to reform the civilian 
     ministries and other government institutions that support the 
     Iraqi Army, National Police, local police, and judicial 
     system.

[[Page 12563]]



     SEC. 6. AVAILABILITY OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR IRAQ.

       (a) Limitation.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
     economic assistance may not be furnished to the Government of 
     Iraq beginning 30 days from the date of enactment of this Act 
     until the President submits to the President pro tempore of 
     the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a 
     certification that the Government of Iraq--
       (1) is making measurable progress toward providing not less 
     than $10,000,000,000 of Iraqi funds for reconstruction, job 
     creation, and economic development in Iraq, with safeguards 
     to prevent corruption, by January 10, 2008;
       (2) is making progress toward meeting the conditions set 
     forth in the International Compact for Iraq and in the stand-
     by agreement with the International Monetary Fund; and
       (3) is making progress toward reducing sectarian violence 
     and promoting national reconciliation.
       (b) Exceptions.--The limitation in subsection (a) shall not 
     apply to assistance for Iraq as follows:
       (1) Humanitarian assistance.
       (2) Assistance to address urgent security and employment 
     needs.
       (c) Assessment of Progress.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days 
     thereafter, the Special Inspector General for Iraq 
     Reconstruction shall submit to Congress a report describing 
     the progress of the Government of Iraq on each matter set 
     forth in subsection (a).

     SEC. 7. REGIONAL DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES ON IRAQ.

       (a) Policy of the United States.--It shall be the policy of 
     the United States to undertake comprehensive regional and 
     international initiatives, involving key nations, that will 
     assist the Government of Iraq in achieving the purposes of 
     this Act, including promoting a political settlement among 
     the Iraqi people, ending the civil war in Iraq, preventing a 
     humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq, and preventing a regional 
     conflict.
       (b) Special Envoy.--The President should, not later than 60 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, appoint a 
     special envoy for Iraq to carry out the policy set forth in 
     subsection (a).
       (c) Strategy on Preventing Wider Regional War.--
       (1) Strategy.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the 
     President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives a report setting forth a strategy 
     for preventing the conflict in Iraq from becoming a wider 
     regional war.
       (2) Form.--The report under paragraph (1) shall be 
     submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified 
     annex.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1131. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       Strike paragraph (42) of section 1001 and insert the 
     following:
       (42) Craney island eastward expansion, virginia.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary 
     shall design and construct a project for navigation, Craney 
     Island Eastward Expansion, Virginia, in accordance with the 
     recommendations contained in the Report of the Chief of 
     Engineers dated October 24, 2006, at a total cost of 
     $721,103,000, with an estimated non-Federal share of not more 
     than 50 percent of the total cost of construction of the 
     project.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1132. Mr. DeMINT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title II, insert the following:

     SEC. 2___. LIST OF CERTAIN AUTHORIZED PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOT 
                   RECEIVED FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION FUNDS.

       (a) In General.--Not less frequently than once each year, 
     the Secretary shall develop, and publish in the Federal 
     Register and on the Internet, a list, to be known as the 
     ``Project Transparency List'', of projects of the Corps of 
     Engineers that--
       (1) have been authorized in a water resources Act; but
       (2) have not received Federal funds for purposes of 
     construction of the project as of the date that is 4 years 
     after the date on which the project is authorized.
       (b) Inclusions.--The list under subsection (a) shall 
     include, with respect to each project included on the list--
       (1) a description of--
       (A) the date on which the project was authorized;
       (B) the primary purpose of the project;
       (C) each allocation of Federal funds made to the project as 
     of the date on which the list is published, including a 
     description of the amount and type of the allocation;
       (D) the percentage of construction completed for the 
     project;
       (E) the estimated total amount that has been obligated to 
     the project as of the date on which the list is published;
       (F) a benefit-cost analysis of the project, expressed as a 
     ratio that represents--
       (i) current discount rates; and
       (ii) includes the estimated annual benefits and costs of 
     the project;
       (G) the date of collection of any economic data used to 
     justify the project;
       (H) the date of completion of the most recent feasibility 
     study, reevaluation report, and environmental review, as 
     applicable, relating to the project;
       (I) in any case in which a portion of construction of the 
     project is completed, a benefit-cost analysis of each 
     remaining activity required to complete the construction; and
       (J) the projected potential date of deauthorization of the 
     project under subsection (c); and
       (2) a brief explanation of any reason why Federal funds 
     have not been obligated for construction of the project.
       (c) Required Deauthorization.--
       (1) In general.--Each project of the Corps of Engineers 
     that has been authorized in a water resources Act, but has 
     not received Federal funds for purposes of construction of 
     the project as of the date that is 7 years after the date on 
     which the project is authorized, shall be deauthorized, 
     regardless of whether the project is included in the list 
     under subsection (a).
       (2) Treatment of certain funds.--For purposes of paragraph 
     (1), funds shall not be considered to be Federal funds for 
     purposes of construction if the funds were provided to carry 
     out any activity for a project relating to--
       (A) a study;
       (B) planning;
       (C) engineering and design;
       (D) relocation or an acquisition of land; or
       (E) an easement or a right-of-way.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1133. Mr. DeMINT submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for the conservation and 
development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary 
of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers 
and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title II, insert the following:

     SEC. 2___. LIST OF CERTAIN AUTHORIZED PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOT 
                   RECEIVED FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION FUNDS.

       (a) In General.--Not less frequently than once each year, 
     the Secretary shall develop, and publish in the Federal 
     Register and on the Internet, a list, to be known as the 
     ``Project Transparency List'', of projects of the Corps of 
     Engineers that--
       (1) have been authorized in a water resources Act; but
       (2) have not received Federal funds for purposes of 
     construction of the project as of the date that is 4 years 
     after the date on which the project is authorized.
       (b) Inclusions.--The list under subsection (a) shall 
     include, with respect to each project included on the list--
       (1) a description of--
       (A) the date on which the project was authorized;
       (B) the primary purpose of the project;
       (C) each allocation of Federal funds made to the project as 
     of the date on which the list is published, including a 
     description of the amount and type of the allocation;
       (D) the percentage of construction completed for the 
     project;
       (E) the estimated total amount that has been obligated to 
     the project as of the date on which the list is published;
       (F) a benefit-cost analysis of the project, expressed as a 
     ratio that represents--
       (i) current discount rates; and
       (ii) includes the estimated annual benefits and costs of 
     the project;
       (G) the date of collection of any economic data used to 
     justify the project;
       (H) the date of completion of the most recent feasibility 
     study, reevaluation report, and environmental review, as 
     applicable, relating to the project; and
       (I) in any case in which a portion of construction of the 
     project is completed, a benefit-cost analysis of each 
     remaining activity required to complete the construction; and
       (2) a brief explanation of any reason why Federal funds 
     have not been obligated for construction of the project.
       (c) Treatment of Certain Funds.--For purposes of this 
     section, funds shall not be considered to be Federal funds 
     for purposes of construction if the funds were provided to 
     carry out any activity for a project relating to--

[[Page 12564]]

       (1) a study;
       (2) planning;
       (3) engineering and design;
       (4) relocation or an acquisition of land; or
       (5) an easement or a right-of-way.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1134. Mr. WARNER (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1495, to 
provide for the conservation and development of water and related 
resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various 
projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, 
and for other purposes; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

                 TITLE __--PRESIDENT'S STRATEGY IN IRAQ

     SEC. 1. FINDINGS REGARDING PROGRESS IN IRAQ, THE 
                   ESTABLISHMENT OF BENCHMARKS TO MEASURE THAT 
                   PROGRESS, AND REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       (a) Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Over 145,000 American military personnel are currently 
     serving in Iraq, like thousands of others since March 2003, 
     with the bravery and professionalism consistent with the 
     finest traditions of the United States armed forces, and are 
     deserving of the strong support of all Americans;
       (2) Many American service personnel have lost their lives, 
     and many more have been wounded in Iraq; the American people 
     will always honor their sacrifice and honor their families;
       (3) The United States Army and Marine Corps, including 
     their Reserve components and National Guard organizations, 
     together with components of the other branches of the 
     military, are performing their missions while under enormous 
     strain from multiple, extended deployments to Iraq and 
     Afghanistan. These deployments, and those that will follow, 
     will have a lasting impact on future recruiting, retention, 
     and readiness of our nation's all volunteer force;
       (4) Iraq is experiencing a deteriorating problem of 
     sectarian and intrasectarian violence based upon political 
     distrust and cultural differences among factions of the Sunni 
     and Shia populations;
       (5) Iraqis must reach political and economic settlements in 
     order to achieve reconciliation, for there is no military 
     solution. The failure of the Iraqis to reach such settlements 
     to support a truly unified government greatly contributes to 
     the increasing violence in Iraq;
       (6) The responsibility for Iraq's internal security and 
     halting sectarian violence rests with the sovereign 
     Government of Iraq;
       (7) In December 2006, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group 
     issued a valuable report, suggesting a comprehensive strategy 
     that includes new and enhanced diplomatic and political 
     efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in the primary 
     mission of U.S. forces in Iraq, that will enable the United 
     States to begin to move its combat forces out of Iraq 
     responsibly;
       (8) The President said on January 10, 2007, that ``I've 
     made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders 
     that America's commitment is not openended'' so as to dispel 
     the contrary impression that exists;
       (9) It is essential that the sovereign Government of Iraq 
     set out measurable and achievable benchmarks and President 
     Bush said, on January 10, 2007, that ``America will change 
     our approach to help the Iraqi government as it works to meet 
     these benchmarks'';
       (10) As reported by Secretary of State Rice, Iraq's Policy 
     Committee on National Security agreed upon a set of 
     political, security, and economic benchmarks and an 
     associated timeline in September 2006 that were (a) 
     reaffirmed by Iraq's Presidency Council on October 6, 2006; 
     (b) referenced by the Iraq Study Group; and (c) posted on the 
     President of Iraq's website;
       (11) On April 21, 2007, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates 
     stated that ``our [American] commitment to Iraq is long-term, 
     but it is not a commitment to have our young men and women 
     patrolling Iraq's streets open-endedly'' and that ``progress 
     in reconciliation will be an important element of our 
     evaluation'';
       (12) The President's January 10, 2007 address had three 
     components: political, military, and economic. Given that 
     significant time has passed since his statement, and 
     recognizing the overall situation is ever changing, Congress 
     must have timely reports to evaluate and execute its 
     Constitutional oversight responsibilities.

     SEC. 2. CONDITIONING OF FUTURE UNITED STATES STRATEGY IN IRAQ 
                   ON THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT'S RECORD OF PERFORMANCE 
                   ON ITS BENCHMARKS.

       (a) In General.--(1) The United States strategy in Iraq, 
     hereafter, shall be conditioned on the Iraqi government 
     meeting benchmarks, as told to members of Congress by the 
     President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, 
     and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and reflected 
     in the Iraqi Government's commitments to the United States, 
     and to the international community, including:
       (A) Forming a Constitutional Review Committee and then 
     completing the Constitutional review;
       (B) Enacting and implementing legislation on de-
     Baathification;
       (C) Enacting and implementing legislation to ensure the 
     equitable distribution of hydrocarbon resources of the people 
     of Iraq without regard to the sect or ethnicity of 
     recipients, and enacting and implementing legislation to 
     ensure that the energy resources of Iraq benefit Sunni Arabs, 
     Shia Arabs, Kurds, and other Iraqi citizens in an equitable 
     manner;
       (D) Enacting and implementing legislation on procedures to 
     form semi-autonomous regions;
       (E) Enacting and implementing legislation establishing an 
     Independent High Electoral Commission; provincial elections 
     law; provincial council authorities; and a date for 
     provincial elections;
       (F) Enacting and implementing legislation addressing 
     amnesty;
       (G) Enacting and implementing legislation establishing a 
     strong militia disarmament program to ensure that such 
     security forces are accountable only to the central 
     government and loyal to the Constitution of Iraq;
       (H) Establishing supporting political, media, economic, and 
     services committees in support of the Baghdad Security Plan;
       (I) Providing three trained and ready Iraqi brigades to 
     support Baghdad operations;
       (J) Providing Iraqi commanders with all authorities to 
     execute this plan and to make tactical and operational 
     decisions, in consultation with U.S. commanders, without 
     political intervention, to include the authority to pursue 
     all extremists, including Sunni insurgents and Shiite 
     militias;
       (K) Ensuring that the Iraqi Security Forces are providing 
     even-handed enforcement of the law;
       (L) Ensuring that, according to President Bush, Prime 
     Minister Maliki said ``the Baghdad security plan will not 
     provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] 
     sectarian or political affiliation'';
       (M) Reducing the level of sectarian violence in Iraq and 
     eliminating militia control of local security;
       (N) Establishing all of the planned joint security stations 
     in neighborhoods across Baghdad;
       (O) Increasing the number of Iraqi security forces units 
     capable of operating independently;
       (P) Ensuring that the rights of minority political parties 
     in the Iraqi legislature are protected;
       (Q) Allocating and spending $10 billion in Iraqi revenues 
     for reconstruction projects, including delivery of essential 
     services, on an equitable basis; and
       (R) Ensuring that Iraq's political authorities are not 
     undermining or making false accusations against members of 
     the ISF.
       (2) The President shall submit reports to Congress on how 
     the sovereign Government of Iraq is, or is not, achieving 
     progress towards accomplishing the aforementioned benchmarks, 
     and shall advise the Congress on how that assessment 
     requires, or does not require, changes to the strategy 
     announced on January 10, 2007.
       (b) Reports Required.--
       (1) The President shall submit an initial report, in 
     classified and unclassified format, to the Congress, not 
     later than July 15, 2007, assessing the status of each of the 
     specific benchmarks established above, and declaring, in his 
     judgment, whether satisfactory progress toward meeting these 
     benchmarks is, or is not, being achieved.
       (2) The President, having consulted with the Secretary of 
     State, The Secretary of Defense, The Commander, Multi-
     National Forces-Iraq, the United States Ambassador to Iraq, 
     and the Commander of U.S. Central Command, will prepare the 
     report and submit the report to Congress.
       (3) If the President's assessment of any of the specific 
     benchmarks established above is unsatisfactory, the President 
     shall include in that report a description of such revisions 
     to the political, economic, regional, and military components 
     of the strategy, as announced by the President on January 10, 
     2007. In addition, the President shall include in the report, 
     the advisability of implementing such aspects of the 
     bipartisan Iraq Study Group, as he deems appropriate.
       (4) The President shall submit a second report to the 
     Congress, not later than September 15, 2007, following the 
     same procedures and criteria, outlined above.
       (5) The reporting requirement detailed in Section 1227 of 
     the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 
     is waived from the date of the enactment of this Act through 
     the period ending 15 September, 2007.
       (c) Testimony Before Congress.--
       (1) Prior to the submission of the President's second 
     report on September 15, 2007, and at a time to be agreed upon 
     by the leadership of the Congress and the Administration, the 
     United States Ambassador to Iraq and the Commander, Multi-
     National Forces Iraq will be made available to testify in 
     open and closed sessions before the relevant committees of 
     the Congress.

     SEC. 3. LIMITATIONS ON AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

       (a) Limitation.--No funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available for the ``Economic Support Fund'' and available for 
     Iraq may be

[[Page 12565]]

     obligated or expended unless and until the President of the 
     United States certifies in the report outlined in subsection 
     (2)(b)(1) above and makes a further certification in the 
     report outlined in subsection (2)(b)(4) above that Iraq is 
     making progress on each of the benchmarks set forth in 
     Section 2 above.
       (b) Waiver Authority.--The President may waive the 
     requirements of this section if he submits to Congress a 
     written certification setting forth a detailed justification 
     for the waiver, which shall include a detailed report 
     describing the actions being taken by the Unites States to 
     bring the Iraqi government into compliance with the 
     benchmarks set forth in Section 2 above. The certification 
     shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a 
     classified annex.

     SEC. 4. REDEPLOYMENT OF U.S. FORCES FROM IRAQ.

       (a) The President of the United States, in respecting the 
     sovereign rights of the nation of Iraq, shall direct the 
     orderly redeployment of elements of U.S. forces from Iraq, if 
     the components of the Iraqi government, acting in strict 
     accordance with their respective powers given by the Iraqi 
     Constitution, reach a consensus as recited in a resolution, 
     directing a redeployment of U.S. forces.

     SEC. 5. INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENTS.

       (a) Assessment by the Comptroller General.
       (1) Not later than September 1, 2007, the Comptroller 
     General of the United States shall submit to Congress an 
     independent report setting forth--
       (A) the status of the achievement of the benchmarks 
     specified in Section 2 above; and
       (B) the Comptroller General's assessment whether or not 
     each such benchmark has been met.
       (b) Assessment of the Capabilities of Iraqi Security 
     Forces.
       (1) In general.--There is hereby authorized to be 
     appropriated for the Department of Defense, $750,000.000, 
     that the Department, in turn, will commission an independent, 
     private-sector entity, which operates as a 501 (c)(3), with 
     recognized credentials and expertise in military affairs, to 
     prepare an independent report assessing the following:
       (A) The readiness of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to 
     assume responsibility for maintaining the territorial 
     integrity of Iraq, denying international terrorists a safe 
     haven, and bringing greater security to Iraq's 18 provinces 
     in the next 12-18 months, and bringing an end to sectarian 
     violence to achieve national reconciliation.
       (B) The training, equipping, command, control and 
     intelligence capabilities, and logistics capacity of the ISF.
       (C) The likelihood that, given the ISF's record of 
     preparedness to date, following years of training and 
     equipping by U.S. forces, the continued support of U.S. 
     troops will contribute to the readiness of the ISF to fulfill 
     the missions outlined in subparagraph (A).
       (2) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the enactment of 
     this Act, the designated private sector entity shall provide 
     an unclassified report, with a classified annex, containing 
     its findings, to the House and Senate Committees on Armed 
     Services, Appropriations, Foreign Relations/International 
     Relations, and Intelligence.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1135. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Cochran (for himself, Mr. Warner, and 
Mr. Bond)) proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 1495, to provide for 
the conservation and development of water and related resources, to 
authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for 
improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for other 
purposes; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON FUNDING FOR OPERATION IRAQI 
                   FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

       (a) Findings.--The Senate makes the following findings:
       (1) The President is the commander in chief of the United 
     States Armed Forces.
       (2) The United States Armed Forces are currently engaged in 
     military operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
     Enduring Freedom on behalf of the national security interests 
     of the United States.
       (3) The funds previously appropriated to continue military 
     operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring 
     Freedom are depleted.
       (4) The President requested more than 100 days ago 
     supplemental appropriations to continue funding for Operation 
     Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
       (5) Congress has not passed a supplemental appropriations 
     bill to continue funding for Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
     Operation Enduring Freedom in a manner that the commander in 
     chief believes gives the United States Armed Forces and the 
     Iraqi people the best chance to succeed at establishing a 
     safe, stable, and sustainable democracy in Iraq.
       (6) A supplemental appropriations request to fund ongoing 
     combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation 
     Enduring Freedom should remain focused on the war effort by 
     providing the resources necessary for United States troops 
     abroad and in the United States.
       (b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate 
     that Congress should send legislation to the President 
     providing appropriations for Operation Iraqi Freedom and 
     Operation Enduring Freedom in a manner that the President can 
     sign into law by not later than May 28, 2007.

     

                          ____________________