Reps. ask, 'Can't we all get along?' (on Iraq)

by Jim Tankersley

A trio of Illinois Republicans are among 28 members of Congress who released a bipartisan plea for cooperation in Washington's continued tussle over the Iraq war.

The so-called "Bipartisan Compact on Iraq Debate," released today, urges Congress to "end the political in-fighting over the conflict in Iraq and commit immediately to a truly bipartisan dialogue on the issues we are facing." It declared that a "safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, based on recommendations from our military and foreign policy leaders, is necessary to transition the combat mission over to the Iraqi forces" - but doesn't mention any timelines or specifics about those redeployments.

Reps. Judy Biggert, Tim Johnson and Mark Kirk of Illinois were among the 14 Republicans to sign it. They were joined by 14 Democrats. Biggert, Johnson and Kirk have so far opposed Democrats' efforts to link war funding to troop withdrawal timelines.

“The future of Iraq is far too important to let the debate be dictated by party politics,” Biggert said in a release touting the compact. “These eight statements are non-partisan principals that everyone can support – principals like fully supporting American troops in harm’s way and holding the Government of Iraq responsible for Iraq's future course.”

Johnson and Biggert's seats are largely considered "safe" in next year's elections. Kirk is bracing for a hot race - and his prospective Democratic opponents are already pounding him on the war.

Here's the full text of the compact and the list of its co-signers, per Biggert's office:

Bipartisan Compact on Iraq Debate

We agree that the U.S. Congress must end the political in-fighting over the conflict in Iraq and commit immediately to a truly bipartisan dialogue on the issues we are facing.

We agree that efforts to eliminate funding for U.S. forces engaged in combat and in harm’s way in Iraq would put at risk the safety and security of our service members.

We agree that there must be a clearly defined and measurable mission for our continued military involvement in Iraq. This mission must be further and continually defined so that the military and the country are aware of the end goal of our mission in Iraq and what progress toward that goal is being achieved.

We agree that the Government of Iraq must now be responsible for Iraq's future course. The Government must continue to make progress on the legislative benchmarks outlined in Section 1314 of the recent Supplemental Appropriations Act (PL110-28).

We agree that it is critical for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including members of the reserve components, to have adequate rest and recuperation periods between deployments.

We agree that a safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, based on recommendations from our military and foreign policy leaders, is necessary to transition the combat mission over to the Iraqi forces.

We agree that the continued military mission of U.S. combat forces must lead to a timely transition to conducting counterterrorism operations, protecting the U.S. Armed Forces, supporting and equipping Iraqi forces to take full responsibility for their own security, assisting refugees, and preventing genocide.

We agree that U.S. diplomatic efforts should continue to be improved and that the U.S. State Department must engage in robust diplomacy with Iraq’s neighbors in the Middle East to address the Iraq conflict.

Signed by:

Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL), Rep. John S. Tanner (D-TN), Rep. Michael N. Castle (R-DE), Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS), Rep. Thomas E. Petri (R-WI), Rep. Robert E. (Bud) Cramer, Jr. (D-AL), Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR), Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R-MD), Rep. Allen Boyd (D-FL), Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA), Rep. Phil English (R-PA), Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX), Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH), Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS), Rep. Sue Wilkins Myrick (R-NC), Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT), Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Rep. Timothy V. Johnson (R-IL), Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN), Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-IL), Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK), Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), and Rep. Charles W. Dent (R-PA).