Chris Dodd: Dodd To Outline Next Steps In Fight To End War In Iraq

Senator and Presidential candidate Chris Dodd today will announce his plans to continue the fight to bring an end to the Bush Administration's failed policy in Iraq. Dodd will hold a live chat at the popular blog FireDogLake today at 5 p.m. ET where he will announce plans to introduce an amendment to the upcoming Defense Authorization bill that would bring an end to American involvement in Iraq's civil war.

"The current policy in Iraq has left us less secure and left our standing in the world in tatters. That is why we have to continue the fight to change course," said Dodd. "The Dodd Amendment will improve accountability, provide a timetable for the Iraqi government to get its house in order, and safely and responsibly redeploy our troops and bring them home. Now is the time to responsibly bring an end to our involvement in another country's civil war while rebuilding our Reserve and Guard units."

The Dodd Amendment will:

* Immediately begin redeployment of U.S. combat troops.
Set a firm deadline for completing redeployment by March 31, 2008.

* Provide no additional funding for combat operations after March 31, 2008.

* Hold the Bush Administration accountable during the redeployment period by requiring the Secretary of Defense to regularly report to Congress on the drawdown of forces.

* Institute measures that would make funding within the redeployment period contingent on the progress of phased redeployment.

* Restore the readiness of the military, Reserves and National Guard by transferring portions of monies that would have been available for combat activities.

Last week, Senator Dodd led the fight for the Feingold-Reid-Dodd Amendment and provided a clear and early indication of his opposition to the Iraq Supplemental bill.

Source: Chris Dodd campaign