Cornyn, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, says Democrats lack constructive ideas on Iraq. « It seems to me that too much of the activity in Congress has been on debating nonbinding resolutions, » he observes, « which by definition would have no real effect other than to undermine the morale of our troops and cause their families grave concern — and, I think, lend some encouragement to our enemies in this battle of wills. »

Most people, the Texas Republican asserts, recognize the Democrats’ Iraq plan for what it is — « Washington politics. » He says Democrats are attempting to « micromanage » U.S. military policy with their newly unveiled Iraq withdrawal plan and also trying once again to « undermine » the work of U.S. troops.

« To me it just seems unworthy of the sacrifice and commitment that they’ve made, and totally inconsistent with the actions that Congress itself has made, » Cornyn contends. « Congress has authorized the use of military force in Iraq. We’ve sent 130,000-plus of our young men and women to serve there, and we’ve confirmed recently a new general, David Petraeus, to lead them, » he says.

Democrats plan to bring the bill up for a vote by the end of the month.