Last updated June 21, 2007 1:05 p.m. PT
House wants Iraq Study Group revivedBy ANNE FLAHERTY
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
WASHINGTON -- The Iraq Study Group may be coming back. The House
adopted legislation Thursday to revive the bipartisan panel of prominent
former U.S. officials who last year said President Bush should change
course on the war.
A new assessment by the panel would offer lawmakers an independent
alternative to an administration progress report due in September.
And because the panel is unlikely to recommend U.S. combat troops
remain in Iraq in large numbers, its recommendations could provide
political cover for Republicans who want Bush to start bringing troops
home.
The measure was proposed by Rep. Chris Shays, who was hammered
in the 2006 elections for his support for the war. Shays, R-Conn., a
political target for next year's elections as well, says Congress could
benefit from an updated assessment by the Iraq Study Group.
-snip-The House voted 355-69 to adopt the proposal as part of a $34.2
billion bill that funds State Department operations and foreign aid.
Shays' proposal had already been adopted by voice vote, but the
congressman said he insisted on a roll call to gauge support among
his colleagues.
-snip-