The Democratic plan for a New Direction in Iraq

Four years and a day after President Bush declared combat operations complete in Iraq, he vetoed the Democratic plan for a new direction in Iraq.

The bill passed by Congress and overwhelmingly supported by the public focuses on the following areas.

Expand funding for veterans’ health care and hospitals
Provides funding so the next generation of veterans get the treatment they deserve back home.

Iraqi Government to Meet Benchmarks
The Iraqi government must meet the key security, political and economic benchmarks established by the President in his January 10 address.

Ensure strategic redeployment of U.S. combat troops by 2008
Responsible troop deployment will begin if the President’s security, political and economic benchmarks are not met.

Refocus military efforts on Afghanistan and fighting terrorism
Al Qaeda is regrouping and the Taliban has grown stronger in Afghanistan. We must increase funding to defeat al Qaeda and terrorists in Afghanistan.