I propose the following legislation:
The Automatic Bipartisan Investigation Act
Whereas the use of war in pursuit of US defense is such a serious and grave matter to the interests of the US people, and US reputation abroad, this act shall require that in the event of US forces becomming decisively involved in any war or large scale conflict, a full and thorough bi-partisan inquiry shall be held. This inquiry shall have sub-poena powers, and shall have scope over all decisions taken by the executive branch, military and intelligence operations in pursuit of the war/conflict.
This inquiry shall be automatic and shall convene no later than 6 months from the onset of the major conflict. It shall have the power to continue for so long as the war state exists and up to 2 years beyond.
Rationale on the flip...
It just hit me that so often we're calling for investigations into this or that. Why are these things always Ad-hoc? I mean, some things like war don't go away, and it's unlikely this will be the last war the US gets into, so why not make full investiagations of such things routine? Instead of having to batter the administration or the majority parties in congress to convene these things, let's make it automatic.
I realize there would be a plethora of details to work out - secrecy requirements, who is on these commissions, how they're chosen, preventing white-washes etc. Ensuring they can gain the needed access and ensuring their report is timely (as possible) and contains enough meaningful non-classified information for the US public to make intelligent decisions on:
Was the war justified? Was it conducted competently? Was it conducted in line with existing US laws and treaties?
Just an idea I wanted to throw into the fray of potential democratic pieces of legislation to impose upon reaching majority status. I'm generally of the opinion that executive dominance has gone too far and congress must reassert itself. Knowing that there will be a bi-partisan inquiry into any war a president may enter, will have a positive effect on how it's done, what decisions get made etc. It's common dog: If you know someone will check how well you did something, you'll do a better job than if you figure no one will ever see. Shine the light.
It also acts as cover, should say a republican president start a war with Iran, and a democratic congress would then initiate an investigation without having to deal with so much "unpatriotic to question the president during war" crap - they'd just be complying with an existing law.
I'm sure even the more scrupulous and honest republicans in congress would have liked more oversight into Iraq, but could never survive calling for it. Again, an act would stifle that type of "debate."
It falls nicely into the rubrick of bringing accountability to government: The Democrats can promise the American people the facts on any war their military engages in.