Senate in Stalemate on Troop Redeployment (Sen. Lamar Alexander)

Both the Salazar-Alexander bill on troop deployment and our Iraq Study Group legislation ask the administration for a plan on how to shift gears and get our troops out of the combat business and into the support, training, and equipping business.  Both bills also allow our government to speak with one voice going forward in Iraq – which our troops deserve and the enemy needs to hear.  I hope the Democratic leadership and President Bush recognize the potential these bills have for achieving a consensus.  It is inexcusable for the Senate to keep lecturing Baghdad about being in a political stalemate when we are stuck in one ourselves.