Senate Democrats were set to introduce legislation in June 2006 calling for the full withdrawal of US forces from Iraq by 1 July 2007, framing it as a transfer of responsibility to the Iraqi government after more than three years of conflict.
The measure, co-authored by Senator John Kerry, was to be offered as an amendment to a pending Defense spending bill. Kerry argued that 12 months was sufficient time to bring troops home while pushing Iraqis to provide for their own security. He also warned that the prolonged US presence was fueling the insurgency and that American military resources were needed elsewhere, citing deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan and tensions with Iran.
Senator Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Senate Democrat, said the bill would signal to Iraq that its long-term defense could not remain an American obligation.
Republican lawmakers strongly opposed the proposal. Senator Johnny Isakson called an early withdrawal a "horrible mistake" that would hand enemies an unearned victory. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist warned of potentially catastrophic consequences for US national security if the commitment to Iraq were abandoned.
The legislation was not expected to pass in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.