WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Republican Leaders and key Ranking Committee Members today unveiled a set of benchmarks designed to measure the progress of President Bush's new strategy in Iraq , and to hold the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government accountable for their role in achieving success.
In addition, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) sent a letter (attached) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) requesting she appoint a bipartisan select committee on Iraq - with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans - to monitor implementation of the benchmarks and exercise oversight over the war. Under the proposal, the President and the Iraqi government must certify progress is being made and report to Congress every 30 days on the implementation of these benchmarks to measure the effectiveness of the President's new strategy.
Boehner released the following statement:
"Success in Iraq is essential to our immediate and long-term national security interests. I commend the President for recognizing recent strategies have not succeeded, and that a new strategy is necessary to stabilize the Iraqi democracy, to deny terrorists a safe haven, and to ensure stability in the region.
"The President has my support for his new strategy in Iraq , but in order for this effort to be successful the Iraqi government must step up to the plate. This is why House Republicans have asked the new Speaker to establish a bipartisan panel to assess and monitor implementation and effectiveness of the President's new strategy in Iraq .
"We are also outlining strategic benchmarks that are designed to hold the Bush Administration and the Iraqi government accountable for its role in achieving success in Iraq . These benchmarks provide a common sense yardstick by which to measure whether sufficient progress is being made in Iraq . They are also aggressive and tailored to every component of the new strategy.
"The President's new strategy deserves full and fair consideration by both Republicans and Democrats. Congress cannot and must not dictate the strategies or methods used in war, but we have a duty to the American people to candidly and honestly assess whether the President's new strategy will be effective and ultimately successful. It is my hope the Speaker will give our request the fair consideration it deserves."
House Republicans' Strategic Benchmarks for Measuring Progress in Iraq
No later than January 25, 2007 and every thirty days thereafter, the President is to transmit to the appropriate Congressional committees a report outlining the progress in the implementation of the Iraq strategy: "A New Way Forward" announced by the President on January 10, 2007, to include:
MILITARY BENCHMARKS
Iraqi Government Cooperation - measure the level of Iraqi government cooperation with the U.S. military on counter-terrorism efforts in Iraq .
Iraqi Army Rotation - identify the level of combat experience for all the Iraqi Army battalions and require the Iraqi Ministry of Defense to deploy all Iraqi units needed to secure Baghdad and al Anbar Province.
Iraqi Investment in the Iraqi Army - track the expenditure of Iraqi funds, already earmarked for the Iraqi Army, for the purpose of equipping the Iraqi Army.
Performance of the Iraqi Police Force - measure the effectiveness of the police force in Baghdad using normally accepted crime statistics.
Measure the steps being taken by the government of the United States to hold the Iraqi government accountable for meeting these benchmarks.
POLITICAL / SOCIAL BENCHMARKS
Measure the level of progress by the Iraqi government on:
Developing a strategy to promote tolerance, peace, and co-existence among Iraqis.
Providing equal access to resources to all Iraqis.
Adopting reforms to promote democracy and the rule of law, and ensuring financial accountability of all government ministries and operations.
Measure the cooperation with and coordination of neighboring countries to help stabilize Iraq.
Measure the steps being taken by the government of the United States to hold the Iraqi government accountable for meeting these benchmarks and to be accountable for the progress of and funding for the Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
OUR STRATEGIC ASSESSMENTS
Require an interagency assessment on the impact withdrawal would have on our national security and homeland security interests, as well as an assessment on the impact withdrawal would have for our allies in the region.
Reaction / Commentary
I think these are some might dangerous waters to be taking a swim in... The Congressional minority shouldn't place additional pressure on their own White House. Let Pelosi and Reid scream all they want... The President will have already set his own benchmarks. All this saber rattling does is put more responsibility on the minority than the Democrats accepted when they were in the minority...and there isn't much gained by this manuever either.As a set on benchmarks go, these aren't bad. The missing element is the key that tells us how many benchmarks have to be passed in order for the plan to be considered a "success" or "failure." Without that, no set of benchmarks is useful...
