Heads Up WA Legislators; Congresswoman Woolsey calls for Repeal of President's Iraq War Powers

By Lietta Ruger at Washblog
Thu Jul 27, 2006 at 08:41:47 AM PST
Section: Washington State Topic: Legislative performance

Legislation introduced to repeal President's Iraq war powers .. does it have teeth?  Message for our current, seated U.S. Senators and Representatives from WA state; please review and don't miss yet another opportunity to do something concrete in bringing common sense Congressional action to bear on issue of Iraq war.  With President announcement yesterday to send in additional 5,000 troops due to the uprising in Baghdad; Tacoma News Tribune reports more from Fort Lewis Stryker brigade may be sent to Baghdad; U.S. talk of sending troops into Lebanon; and U.S. hold out nation objecting to cease-fire in Israel/Lebanon combat fighting.......

Please, it's way past time to use the power of Congress to effect shift/change in this paradigm of U.S. military being the cannon fodder in perpetual combat in Middle East.

See more on HR 5878, Congressman Lynn Woolsey introduced July 25, 2006

NEWS from CONGRESSWOMAN LYNN WOOLSEY 6th District, California
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Chris Shields July 25, 2006 202-225-5161

CONGRESSWOMAN WOOLSEY CALLS FOR REPEAL OF PRESIDENT'S IRAQ WAR POWERS
- Says Congress never authorized an occupation of Iraq -

Washington, D.C. - One of the most outspoken critics of the war in Iraq, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) today introduced H.R. 5878, legislation that would repeal the President's War Powers for the Iraq War. While the Congress authorized President Bush to wage war against Iraq in 2002, the original authorization did not anticipate an open-ended U.S. military campaign against Iraq, or the occupation that currently exists.

"Six weeks after we invaded Iraq, President Bush stood aboard an aircraft carrier before a banner that read 'Mission Accomplished,' declaring that 'major combat operations in Iraq are over,' Woolsey said. "From that moment on, we were no longer fighting a war, but rather participating in an occupation. You can not win an occupation!"

Not only did Congress not authorize the long-term occupation of Iraq, but our troops' presence is contributing to the state of civil war that exists in the country. According to the United Nations, the violence in Iraq is increasing, with an average of 100 Iraqis dying every day.

"Rescinding the President's War Powers in Iraq is the least that we can do for our troops, and for their families who anxiously await their return," Woolsey said. "With over 2,550 brave men and women having given their lives, and thousands seriously wounded, how many more must die before we put an end to this madness?

"By repealing the Iraq War Powers, Congress would resume its Constitutional role overseeing the use of military force, and would reassert its authority by bringing our troops home."

Woolsey was joined by 18 other original co-sponsors of the legislation, in no particular order they include: Barbara Lee (D-CA); Dennis Kucinich (D-OH); Maxine Waters (D-CA); Maurice Hinchey (D-NY); James Moran (D-VA); Major Owens (D-NY); Cynthia McKinney (D-GA); Fortney "Pete" Stark (D-CA); Bob Filner (D-CA); Julia Carson (D-IN); Chaka Fattah (D-PA); Carolyn Kilpatrick (D - MI); Marty Meehan (D-MA); Donald Payne (D-NJ); Jose Serrano (D-NY); Danny Davis (D-IL); David Wu (D-OR) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX).

 see link to same here        

Posted by SwanDeer Project at 12:01 AM PDT

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