Lawmakers increase heat on Bush's compact with Iraq

By Charlie Savage
Globe Staff

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Reps. Bill Delahunt of Massachusetts and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut said today that they will unveil legislation aimed at blocking President Bush from completing a long-term security agreement with Iraq if the White House does not submit the pact to Congress for an approval vote.

Delahunt has been leading hearings into the proposed agreement to authorize continued combat activities in Iraq for years to come. The negotiations have prompted constitutional controversy because the Bush administration has declared that it will not designate the deal as a treaty or an executive-legislative agreement and so the executive branch can complete the arrangement without congressional consent. For background, see here and here.

Delahunt's and DeLauro's legislation would cut off funds for implementing any agreement "committing or authorizing U.S. forces to engage in combat on behalf of the Government of Iraq" that is not submitted to Congress. The legislation is similar to a bill introduced in the Senate late last year by Sen. Hillary Clinton, Democrat of New York, which she touted in presidential primary debates. Sen. Barack Obama , Democrat of Illinois, later signed onto Clinton's legislation as a cosponsor.