Amid all the calls to end this mess somehow, after watching W give a 20 minute speech looking like a cornered rabbit with a shotgun pointed at him, I thought "he needs some help!"
No, not that kind. They haven't perfected brain transplants yet.
He needs Congress to help him, just like they helped Clinton in 1993. After the Blackhawk Down incident in Somalia. They passed a bill prohibiting funding after a date certain. I've taken the initiative to rewrite this bill (the House version, anyway) and present it for your consideration. If you approve, please forward this diary to your congress critters. It's over the jump...
Thomas link to original
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 9 1 1
To prohibit funding for the involvement of the United States Armed Forces in Iraq after October 31, 2007.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 15, 2007
Mr. DE FAZIO (for himself and Mr. BLUMENAUER) introduced the following bill; which was referred jointly to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Rules, and Armed Services
A BILL
To prohibit funding for the involvement of the United States Armed Forces in Iraq after October 31, 2007.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN IRAQ.
(a) FINDINGS- The Congress finds that--
(1) the United States entered into Operation Iraqi Freedom in March of 2003, pursuant to the "Authorization for Use of Military Forces Against Iraq Resolution of 2002" for the purpose of disarming Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, ending Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and freeing the Iraqi people ;
(2) the original mission was successfully accomplished by United States Armed Forces with the support and assistance of the Coalition of the Willing;
(3) neither the original mission nor any other mission has been endorsed or approved by the United Nations Security Council; and
(4) the actions of hostile elements in Iraq, and the mission to subdue those elements, have resulted in open conflict in Iraq and the deaths of 3019 members of the United States Armed Forces.
(b) APPROVAL OF USE OF ARMED FORCES FOR CERTAIN LIMITED PURPOSES- The Congress approves the use of United States Armed Forces in Iraq exclusively for the following purposes:
(1) The protection of United States personnel, citizens, and facilities.
(2) The provision of assistance in securing open lines of communication for the free flow of supplies and relief operations through the provision of--
(A) United States military logistical support services to Iraqi forces; and
(B) United States combat forces in a security role and as an interim supplement to Iraqi combat units for use in emergencies.
(c) COMMAND AND CONTROL OF UNITED STATES COMBAT FORCES- United States combat forces in Iraq shall be under the exclusive command and control of United States commanders under the ultimate direction of the President of the United States.
(d) LIMITATION- (1) Funds appropriated or otherwise made available in any Act to the Department of Defense may be obligated for expenses incurred only through the period ending October 31, 2007, for operations of United States Armed Forces in Iraq.
(2) The limitation contained in paragraph (1) shall not apply to any temporary deployment of United States Armed Forces in Iraq for the purpose of evacuating United States personnel or United States citizens from a situation of imminent danger.
(e) EXTENSION- The period specified in subsection (d)(1) may be extended if so requested by the President and authorized by the Congress. In seeking such an extension, the President may submit only 1 request to the Congress under the preceding sentence.
(f) EXPEDITED PROCEDURES- (1) For purposes of paragraph (2), the term `joint resolution' means a joint resolution the text of which is as follows: `That the period specified in section 1(d)(1) of the joint resolution entitled `Joint Resolution to prohibit funding for the involvement of the United States Armed Forces in Iraq after October 31, 2007,' is hereby extended until the date specified in the request submitted by the President to the Congress pursuant to section 1(e) of that joint resolution.'.
(2) A joint resolution described in paragraph (1) shall be considered in accordance with the procedures applicable to joint resolutions under section 212 of Public Laws 99-500 and 99-591 (100 Stat. 3341-304).