Wisconsin US Senator introduces bill to end President Bush’s troop surge in Iraq in 6 months

Wisconsin US Senator Russ Feingold.

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There was a lot of Congressional anger after President George W. Bush released his plan to increase troops in Iraq. Not many lawmakers have taken steps that would actually stop the surge, but today, Wisconsin Democratic Senator Russ Feingold introduced a bill that would cut off troop funding in 6 months.  Here’s Matt Laslo on Capitol Hill with the report….

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Feingold has been a vocal opponent to the president for some time now. He says the president has forced him to introduce this bill.

“The White House isn’t listening, so the only choice we have is to use our ultimate power to legislate to set policy to say funds will not be available beyond a certain date,” Sen. Feingold told WUWM at the US Capitol.

Feingold knows cutting off troop funding sounds bad, but argues redeployment is really the safest option for soldiers in Iraq.

“Were not gonna say to someone, ‘give us your helmet, give us your rifle, stay here in Bagdad,” Feingold said. “That’s not how it works.”

Feingold’s legislation allows some troops to stay in Iraq to continue training the Iraqi army and for counter terrorism operations. Other than that all American troops would be forced to pull out of Iraq.

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain supports the president’s plan of a troop surge – and the ongoing debate, but disagrees with Feingold’s plan..

“I think they have that right,” Sen. McCain told WUWM. “What I disagree with is to send them on a mission and say you support them and not what they are doing.”

Feingold says in private other senators have confided that to end the war Congress may eventually have to cut funding. But, as of yet, none have publicly signed onto his bill.

 From Capitol Hill, I’m Matt Laslo for WUWM News.