In July 2007, Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate introduced several amendments relating to the war in Iraq as part of deliberations on the defense appropriations bill.

Senate Amendment 2087 - Introduced by Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
S.Amdt. 2087 to S.Amdt. 2011 to H.R. 1585 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 )
Statement of Purpose: To provide for a reduction and transition of United States forces in Iraq.


The Levin-Reed Amendment calls for troops to begin withdrawal 120 days after passage and that the US have only a "limited presence" in Iraq by 30 April 2008. (House Bill deadline is 1 April 2008.) Introduced 11 July 2007.

Co-sponsors - 11 July 2007
-- Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE)
-- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)
-- Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
-- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
-- Sen. John F. Kerry, (D-MA)
-- Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)
-- Sen. Gordon H. Smith (R-OR)
-- Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME)

Amendment Text

(Purpose: To provide for a reduction and transition of United States forces in Iraq)

At the end of subtitle C of title XV, add the following:
SEC. 1535. REDUCTION AND TRANSITION OF UNITED STATES FORCES IN IRAQ.

(a) Deadline for Commencement of Reduction.--The Secretary of Defense shall commence the reduction of the number of United States forces in Iraq not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Implementation of Reduction as Part of Comprehensive Strategy.--The reduction of forces required by this section shall be implemented as part of a comprehensive diplomatic, political, and economic strategy that includes sustained engagement with Iraq's neighbors and the international community for the purpose of working collectively to bring stability to Iraq.

As part of this effort, the President shall direct the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use the voice, vote, and influence of the United States at the United Nations to seek the appointment of an international mediator in Iraq, under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council, who has the authority of the international community to engage political, religious, ethnic, and tribal leaders in Iraq in an inclusive political process.

(c) Limited Presence After Reduction and Transition. --After the conclusion of the reduction and transition of United States forces to a limited presence as required by this section, the Secretary of Defense may deploy or maintain members of the Armed Forces in Iraq only for the following missions:

• (1) Protecting United States and Coalition personnel and infrastructure.
  (2) Training, equipping, and providing logistic support to the Iraqi Security Forces.
  (3) Engaging in targeted counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda, al Qaeda affiliated groups, and other international terrorist organizations.

(d) Completion of Transition.--The Secretary of Defense shall complete the transition of United States forces to a limited presence and missions as described in subsection (c) by April 30, 2008.

Congressional Record - 11 July 2007