Congress needs to get binding

Yesterday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a non-binding resolution rejecting Bush's plans to send additional U.S. troops to Iraq. Now the measure will go to the full Senate for a vote, where many Republican senators are expected to oppose it. [Read story.]

While I'm glad that the Senate is finally doing something to oppose Bush, this resolution is not enough. It's not binding. And Bush and Cheney have already told us that it's not going to keep them from moving forward.

A non-binding resolution is symbolic, but it does nothing to save the lives of our troops. Congress needs to do more. They need to find a binding way of reining in this war-crazed Bush administration. I like this solution proposed by Reps. Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee, and Maxine Waters. Here are some of Rep. Woolsey's remarks on the bill:

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"The Congress has already appropriated funding that will support our troops and keep this occupation going for at least another six months. That funding instead should be used to finance an aggressive withdrawal plan that brings our troops home to their families. Our bill would do exactly that.

"Our plan will also…

1. Withdraw all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq within six months from date of enactment.

2. Prohibit any further funding to deploy, or continue to deploy U.S. troops in Iraq. The bill does, however, allow for funding to be used, as needed, to ensure a safe withdrawal of all US military personnel and contractors, diplomatic consultations. Funding may also be used for the increased training and equipping of Iraqi and international security forces.

3. Accelerate, during the six month transition, training of a permanent Iraqi security force.

4. Authorize, if requested by the Iraqi government, U.S. support for an international stabilization force. Such a force would be funded for no longer than two years, and be combined with economic and humanitarian assistance.

5. Guarantee full health care funding, including mental health, for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts.

"In addition the bill would:

6. Rescind the Congressional Authorization for the War in Iraq.

7. Prohibit the construction of permanent US military bases in the country.

8. Finally, we believe that Iraqi oil belongs to the Iraqis. Once the oil is in the international market, the U.S. will certainly have access to our share. That’s why our bill ensures that the U.S. has no long-term control over Iraqi oil.

"Our plan, with the exception of Veterans' benefits, will cost the American people pennies on the dollar as compared to continuing the occupation for two more years. It will save lives, bodies, and minds, and it will give Iraq back to the Iraqis. It is an important step in regaining our credibility in the region and throughout the world, and provides the President, and this Congress, with a comprehensive way to respond to the majority of Americans who want our troops to come home."

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[Read the text of the bill (PDF).]

Does Congress have the strength and moral conviction to make this happen?