Liberal Groups Want Oil Benchmark Law Out Of Iraq Funding Bill

A broad coalition of 24 liberal organizations sent a letter yesterday to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) urging them to drop the "Oil Law Benchmark" in legislation that will continue to fund the war but require the Iraqi government to meet certain benchmarks, reports Politico's Ryan Grim.

The coalition is concerned that the benchmark puts undue pressure on the Iraqi government to open its oil industry to foreign companies. The signers include MoveOn.org; Public Citizen; United for Peace and Justice, a leading antiwar group; and U.S. Labor Against the War; among other groups with strong support among liberals.