Competing cap troops legislation.

[ProSense]

Obama's Turn: Says He'll Introduce Iraq Legislation Calling For Phased Withdrawal

By Greg Sargent | bio

Barely moments after Hillary Clinton concluded her press conference this afternoon calling for a "cap" on the number of troops in Iraq, Barack Obama's office sent out a statement saying that he, too, would be introducing his own Iraq legislation. Key quote:

That is why I not only favor capping the number U.S. troops in Iraq, but believe it’s imperative that we begin the phased redeployment I called for two months ago, and intend to introduce legislation that does just that.”

Given what Clinton said today about a troop cap, it's hard not to notice Obama's "I not only favor capping" line. Full statement after the jump.

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[ProSense]

1. Clinton legislation calls for

Clinton said she would offer legislation that would not cut funding to U.S. troops, as some lawmakers want, but would, after a six-month time period, cut off money for Iraqi troops.

She said cutting off funds for security forces and private security contractors who guard many Iraqi leaders would show the U.S. government is serious about imposing "real world consequences" to failing to reduce the sectarian conflict killing tens of thousands civilians a year.

"I do not support cutting funding for American troops, but I do support cutting funding for Iraqi forces if the Iraqi government does not meet set conditions," Clinton said, appearing at a news conference with the two lawmakers who traveled with her to Iraq and Afghanistan, Sen. Evan Bayh (news, bio, voting record), D-Ind., and Rep. John McHugh (news, bio, voting record), R-N.Y.

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Cut funding for the Iraqis in six months? What about the escalation?