Key Democrats in the Senate are drafting legislation to revoke the broad authority originally given to President Bush four years ago. One version of the new limited mission restricts American troops to fighting al-Qaeda (a group new to Iraq since our occupation), training Iraqi army and police forces, maintaining the borders of the country, and withdrawing forces from the country. Majority Leader Harry Reid intends to present the binding proposal next week to fellow Democrats.

Two attempts to pass non-binding resolutions were recently thwarted by Senate Republicans. Any attempt to limit Bush’s unchecked power is expected to face similar Senate opposition and a veto from the president.

In the House, where a non-binding resolution was passed last week, Speaker Pelosi said she expects upcoming legislation requiring the Pentagon to adhere to strict training and readiness standards for troops headed to war. John Murtha, a leading advocate of the approach, said such legislation would deny Bush the ability to escalate troop levels any further.

Still, some Senate Democrats are taking another approach in revoking the original authorization altogether. The 2002 measure authorized the president to use the armed forces “as he determines to be necessary and appropriate … to defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq,” and to enforce relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Senator Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said last week that Congress should “repeal that authorization and replace it with a much narrower mission statement.” Such a statement would consist of drawing down forces while fighting terrorists and training Iraqis. So far, it is unclear if the wordage in the Senate measure will revoke the 2002 authorization.

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h/t Truthdig