Basically, it's the House benchmarks and the Senate timetable for withdrawal.
You'll recall that the Senate bill, as passed, gave a date that the withdrawal needed to begin rather than a date by which the withdrawal needed to be completed. This final bill does the same. Still, the bill does establish benchmarks for measurable progress by the Iraqi government, something the American people will be glad to see. It also requires that our troops be treated with respect - something I'd love to see the Republicans vote against. And finally, it sets the beginning of the withdrawal, without micro-managing the speed of it, which at the moment is probably politically wise. All in all, this legislation is a good step in the right direction - consider how far we've come in just four months that the Democrats have been in power.
The Wash Post has the details:
House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on language to begin bringing U.S. troops home as early as this July. The final legislation:
-- Establishes benchmarks for the government of Iraq, including measurable progress in developing Iraqi security forces, giving U.S. troops more authority to pursue Islamist extremists, establishing a program to disarm militia, pursuing Sunni-Shiite reconciliation initiatives, enacting an oil revenue-sharing law, easing the program to oust all former Baath Party members from the government, reducing sectarian violence and protecting minority rights.
-- If the president fails to determine that the benchmarks are being met, troops shall begin withdrawing by July 1, 2007, with a goal of completing withdrawal 180 days later.
-- If the president determines the benchmarks are being met, troops shall begin withdrawals by Oct. 1, 2007, with a goal of completing the withdrawals 180 days later.
-- U.S. forces may remain in Iraq to protect U.S. personnel and facilities, serve in diplomatic positions, pursue al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations and train and equip Iraqi forces.
