Pryor Joins Group Urging Diplomatic Effort On Iraq

Four more senators have joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers urging a diplomatic effort to stabilize Iraq by making the Iraq Study Group's recommendations official U.S. policy. Democrats Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and Republicans Bob Bennett of Utah, and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire have joined Colorado Democrat Ken Salazar and GOP Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. The group argues the plan is the best way to end debate over the costly and unpopular war. Members say they'll introduce a bill next month that would set a series of benchmarks the Iraqis must meet in exchange for continued U.S. support. The senators' plan is based on the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan group of politicians and policy experts.

That group called in December for an urgent diplomatic attempt to stabilize Iraq. Salazar and Alexander launched the effort as the Democratic-controlled Congress was locked in a standoff with President Bush over an emergency spending bill for the war. Colorado Democratic Rep. Mark Udall joined GOP Congressmen Frank Wolf of Virginia and Michael McCaul of Texas in backing a similar measure in the House.