Iraq: Support Legislation to Stop the Escalation of the War - FCNL
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Thanks to your messages and those of thousands of others around the country, your senators will vote in the next two weeks on legislation to stop the president’s escalation of the war in Iraq. The president insisted again this weekend that he will ignore these congressional efforts to stop the escalation of the war. But here at FCNL we believe that Congress can deter the president and stop the war.
We need your help over the next two weeks to urge senators to support bipartisan legislation to stop escalation of the war in Iraq. This is a first important step in building momentum in Congress to stop funding the president’s failed war strategy in Iraq.
We expect that the Senate will vote before the end of January on a non-binding, bipartisan resolution, introduced by Senator Joe Biden (D - DE) and cosponsored by Senators Carl Levin (D - MI), Olympia Snowe (R - ME), and Chuck Hagel (R - NE). This Senate resolution would put Congress on record against an escalation of the war. We at FCNL would like to support this legislation, but cannot do so unless the senators remove a dangerous provision that could be interpreted as authorizing the U.S. military to attack Iran.
Take Action
Ask your senators to contact the sponsors of the bipartisan resolution against an escalation of the war in Iraq. Urge them to tell Senators Biden, Levin, Snowe, and Hagel to remove the provision that could be interpreted as authorizing force against Iran and indicate that once the clause has been removed they will cosponsor the resolution opposing escalation of the Iraq war (S. Con. Res. 2). You can use the FCNL website to send a message to your senators.
Join the January 29- Call-in Day on Iraq: Participate in demonstrations against the war in Iraq in Washington or in your own community on January 27. Hand out FCNL’s special flyer encouraging people to turn their protests into policy by calling Congress on Monday, January 29 to urge an end to the war in Iraq. See our website for more details.
Background
Several different proposals to stop the escalation of the war in Iraq have been introduced in the last week. The Senate is expected to vote in the next two weeks on the bipartisan, non-binding resolution, sponsored by Democratic Senators Joe Biden (DE), Carl Levin (MI), and Republican Senators Olympia Snowe (ME) and Chuck Hagel (NE), that puts Congress on record against an escalation of the Iraq war. This legislation could become an important first step in building a bipartisan consensus against the escalation of the war and starting a congressional movement to stop funding for the war.
But the Biden, Levin, Snowe, and Hagel legislation, as currently drafted, contains a potentially dangerous provision that could be interpreted as authorizing U.S. military action against Iran. The legislation states that “... main elements of the mission of United States forces in Iraq should transition to helping ensure the territorial integrity of Iraq, conduct counter terrorism activities, reduce regional interference in the internal affairs of Iraq, and accelerate training of Iraqi troops.” In the context of the recent statements by President Bush about Iran, the provision could be read as a new authorization for the use of U.S. military force. The provision says the U.S. military is authorized to “reduce regional interference in the internal affairs of Iraq.” President Bush might assert that this new provision – non-binding though it is – signals that Congress supports his option to attack Iran. The point is, at least, ambiguous, and Congress should not give the president such an opening.
FCNL is urging Senators Biden, Levin, Snowe, and Hagel to remove this dangerous provision or clarify its meaning, so that it cannot be interpreted as authorizing an attack on Iran.
FCNL lobbyists also have prepared a chart of the major legislation intended to stop the escalation of the war in Iraq that has been introduced in the 110th Congress. Check back often for updates on this legislation.
Contacting Legislators
Contact your members of Congress through FCNL's web site.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Sen. ________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Rep. ________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
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