Sorry if this has been diared on already, but I didn't see it anywhere. The vote was on H.R. 2929, which bans permanent military bases in Iraq and also bans U.S. control over Iraqi Oil.
Go here for full press release
More below...
Congresswoman Lee(D-Oakland, CA)initiator of the bill, said the following:
Putting Congress on record with this clear statement helps take the targets off our troops’ backs and it support our goals of handing over responsibility for security and public safety to Iraqi forces
I am thrilled that this passes though wonder both about its passage in the Senate (which I assume is next) as well as Bush's Veto. In addition, I am surprised that so many Republicans voted for this. The Yay to Nay margin was huge, and while permanent bases aren't at the forefront of Bush's failed Stay the Course strategy, it's still odd to see so many GOPers vote for this.
My other thought was that banning U.S. control over Iraqi oil doesn't necessarily stop multi-national corporations from maintaining control, right? It isn't U.S. policy, but that doesn't mean it isn't corporate policy. Or am I missing something?