Ending the War
James Madison wrote, “Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought to be commenced, continued or concluded.”
On Feb. 2, 2007, Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold explained how to end the war in Iraq. Feingold had chaired a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee to remind members of the Senate that, through the power of the purse, they have the constitutional power to end a war.
The Constitution gives Congress the explicit power: “to declare War,” “ raise and support Armies,” and “provide and maintain a Navy” In addition, under Article I, “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” These are direct quotes from the Constitution of the United States. Nevertheless, the Bush regime and most congressional Republicans behave as if these powers don’t exist . These powers are a clear and direct statement from the founders of our republic that Congress has authority to declare, to define and, to end the war in Iraq.
Congress must act on the will of the American people by ending our involvement in Bush’s war. Otherwise, they will have failed to perform the role assigned it by acting as a check on the Bush regime, whose policies are weakening our nation.
Bush claims: “The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding. Instead, Democrats in the House, in an act of political theater, voted to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders on the ground in Iraq.”
The Constitution makes no mention of the “military commanders on the ground” having any authority to declare, define or continue a war. Precedents for Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to stop U.S. involvement in armed conflict include, but are not limited, to the following:
In late December 1970, Congress prohibited the use of funds for introducing United States ground combat troops into Cambodia or providing U.S. advisors to Cambodian military forces. In June 1973, Congress set a date to cut off funds for combat activities in Southeast Asia and in March 1994, funding for military operations in Somalia was prohibited.
On Feb. 2, 2007, Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold explained how to end the war in Iraq. Feingold had chaired a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee to remind members of the Senate that, through the power of the purse, they have the constitutional power to end a war.
The Constitution gives Congress the explicit power: “to declare War,” “ raise and support Armies,” and “provide and maintain a Navy” In addition, under Article I, “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” These are direct quotes from the Constitution of the United States. Nevertheless, the Bush regime and most congressional Republicans behave as if these powers don’t exist . These powers are a clear and direct statement from the founders of our republic that Congress has authority to declare, to define and, to end the war in Iraq.
Congress must act on the will of the American people by ending our involvement in Bush’s war. Otherwise, they will have failed to perform the role assigned it by acting as a check on the Bush regime, whose policies are weakening our nation.
Bush claims: “The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding. Instead, Democrats in the House, in an act of political theater, voted to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders on the ground in Iraq.”
The Constitution makes no mention of the “military commanders on the ground” having any authority to declare, define or continue a war. Precedents for Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to stop U.S. involvement in armed conflict include, but are not limited, to the following:
In late December 1970, Congress prohibited the use of funds for introducing United States ground combat troops into Cambodia or providing U.S. advisors to Cambodian military forces. In June 1973, Congress set a date to cut off funds for combat activities in Southeast Asia and in March 1994, funding for military operations in Somalia was prohibited.
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