Washington DC - After making several key compromises, the House of Representatives passed the supplemental appropriations conference bill that funds the U.S. troops in Iraq and sets a non-binding target date for bring them home. "We have given President Bush all of the funding he has requested," said Congressman Jim Oberstar. "But this is not a blank check, Congress wants to see an exit strategy."

Last month, the House of Representatives approved a $124 billion dollar supplemental bill to fund ongoing operations in Iraq; it also included a provision requiring all U.S. troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by August 31, 2008. However, the Senate bill did not set a date certain for ending the conflict, and the final conference agreement only established a non-binding "goal" to bring U.S. troops home by the end of March 2008.

"The language in this bill is not as strong as I would like to see," said Oberstar. "But it does direct the President to come forward with a plan to end our involvement in Iraq."

Oberstar says he is urging President Bush to sign the legislation quickly. "Our continued presence in Iraq is not serving any U.S. foreign policy interest. We have toppled Saddam Hussein and Iraq has established a government, an Iraqi army and police force. Eighty percent of the Iraqi people want us to leave their country. Our mission is accomplished, it's time to bring our troops home with honor."

"The unfortunate fact is that our troops are caught in a civil war between Sunni and Shi'ite factions; it is a conflict that has gone on for centuries," Oberstar continued. "Our forces are not going to be able to solve their dispute, this is something the Iraqi people will have to resolve on their own."

The U.S. Senate is expected to approve this Oberstar Urges President to Sign Iraq Bill with Target for Troop Withdrawal supplemental legislation tomorrow. President Bush will then have the option of either signing the bill into law or returning the bill back to Congress with a veto. "The ball is in the President's court. The American people want this tragic and misguided war to end, and the President has the opportunity to demonstrate that he has listened to the people and supports the work of Congress to end this war," said Oberstar.

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