Resolution Against New Iraq War Passes House in Landslide
Peace campaigners say passage is important step in effort to stop immediate threat of US escalation in Iraq
The House on Friday overwhelmingly passed a symbolic resolution that calls for the executive branch to attain explicit approval from Congress before deploying troops to Iraq in a "sustained combat role," in what peace campaigners are heralding as an important milestone in efforts to prevent a new war.
H. Con. Resolution 105, introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D - Mass.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D - Calif.), and Walter Jones (R - N.C.), passed 370-40. Three Democrats and 37 Republicans voted against and 190 Democrats and 180 Republicans voted in favor. The resolution will next head to the Senate.
"Finally some people in Washington are listening to the public," Jovanni Reyes of Iraq Veterans Against the War--which mobilized to support the resolution--told Common Dreams. "Back in 2003 the public said a big 'no' to going to Iraq, but they were ignored. Now it's over 4,000 dead service members, over one million dead Iraqis, and trillions of dollars later."
While the resolution is non-binding, supporters say it will have a significant political impact. "This strong vote sends a message from Congress that reflects an American public that doesn't want to get back involved," Stephen Miles of Win Without War told Common Dreams. "We hope the president will listen to that and resist people like Dick Cheney who are re-emerging to say we want to do this all over again."
Miles said that the resolution passed thanks in part to call-in efforts from opponents of U.S. escalation, backed by dozens of anti-war groups. "Over the last 48 hours, several thousand calls were made, and since the crisis in Iraq heated back up, anti-war groups have made well over 20,000 calls to Congress and sent more emails saying no escalations," said Miles. "Every report we heard from a member of Congress was not only that they received a number of calls, but that an overwhelming proportion were opposed to force."
Polling suggests these numbers reflect U.S. public opinion. A survey released in June by Public Policy Polling found that 74 percent of people in the U.S. is opposed to deploying combat troops to Iraq.
"Enough is enough. After more than decade of war, the American people are war-weary," said Congresswoman Lee in a statement about the resolution's passage.
The resolution's backers, however, note that there is still much more work left to do. The resolution likely will not affect the 800 U.S. military service members currently deployed to Iraq--hundreds of whom are directly aiding the intelligence and military operations of the Iraqi government, in what critics charge is a direct U.S. hand in climbing escalation. Furthermore, the U.S. continues to send weapons and money to the Iraqi government, despite their documented bombing of civilian areas in their military operations against ISIS.
"This resolution is a step in the right direction but Congress needs to repeal the AUMFs that serve as a blank check for endless war," said Lee, referring to post-9/11 legislation authorizing open-ended military force.
According to Matt Howard of Iraq Veterans Against the War, "Although we know that this is far too little and what we really need is full withdrawal and a pursuit of remediation of damages caused by our occupation of Iraq, [the resolution] at least represents a shift in Congress caused in no small part by people who have had enough."
Urgent. It's never been this bad.
Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission from the outset was simple. To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It’s never been this bad out there. And it’s never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed and doing some of its best and most important work, the threats we face are intensifying. Right now, with just four days to go in our Spring Campaign, we are not even halfway to our goal. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Can you make a gift right now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? There is no backup plan or rainy day fund. There is only you. —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
The House on Friday overwhelmingly passed a symbolic resolution that calls for the executive branch to attain explicit approval from Congress before deploying troops to Iraq in a "sustained combat role," in what peace campaigners are heralding as an important milestone in efforts to prevent a new war.
H. Con. Resolution 105, introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D - Mass.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D - Calif.), and Walter Jones (R - N.C.), passed 370-40. Three Democrats and 37 Republicans voted against and 190 Democrats and 180 Republicans voted in favor. The resolution will next head to the Senate.
"Finally some people in Washington are listening to the public," Jovanni Reyes of Iraq Veterans Against the War--which mobilized to support the resolution--told Common Dreams. "Back in 2003 the public said a big 'no' to going to Iraq, but they were ignored. Now it's over 4,000 dead service members, over one million dead Iraqis, and trillions of dollars later."
While the resolution is non-binding, supporters say it will have a significant political impact. "This strong vote sends a message from Congress that reflects an American public that doesn't want to get back involved," Stephen Miles of Win Without War told Common Dreams. "We hope the president will listen to that and resist people like Dick Cheney who are re-emerging to say we want to do this all over again."
Miles said that the resolution passed thanks in part to call-in efforts from opponents of U.S. escalation, backed by dozens of anti-war groups. "Over the last 48 hours, several thousand calls were made, and since the crisis in Iraq heated back up, anti-war groups have made well over 20,000 calls to Congress and sent more emails saying no escalations," said Miles. "Every report we heard from a member of Congress was not only that they received a number of calls, but that an overwhelming proportion were opposed to force."
Polling suggests these numbers reflect U.S. public opinion. A survey released in June by Public Policy Polling found that 74 percent of people in the U.S. is opposed to deploying combat troops to Iraq.
"Enough is enough. After more than decade of war, the American people are war-weary," said Congresswoman Lee in a statement about the resolution's passage.
The resolution's backers, however, note that there is still much more work left to do. The resolution likely will not affect the 800 U.S. military service members currently deployed to Iraq--hundreds of whom are directly aiding the intelligence and military operations of the Iraqi government, in what critics charge is a direct U.S. hand in climbing escalation. Furthermore, the U.S. continues to send weapons and money to the Iraqi government, despite their documented bombing of civilian areas in their military operations against ISIS.
"This resolution is a step in the right direction but Congress needs to repeal the AUMFs that serve as a blank check for endless war," said Lee, referring to post-9/11 legislation authorizing open-ended military force.
According to Matt Howard of Iraq Veterans Against the War, "Although we know that this is far too little and what we really need is full withdrawal and a pursuit of remediation of damages caused by our occupation of Iraq, [the resolution] at least represents a shift in Congress caused in no small part by people who have had enough."
The House on Friday overwhelmingly passed a symbolic resolution that calls for the executive branch to attain explicit approval from Congress before deploying troops to Iraq in a "sustained combat role," in what peace campaigners are heralding as an important milestone in efforts to prevent a new war.
H. Con. Resolution 105, introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D - Mass.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D - Calif.), and Walter Jones (R - N.C.), passed 370-40. Three Democrats and 37 Republicans voted against and 190 Democrats and 180 Republicans voted in favor. The resolution will next head to the Senate.
"Finally some people in Washington are listening to the public," Jovanni Reyes of Iraq Veterans Against the War--which mobilized to support the resolution--told Common Dreams. "Back in 2003 the public said a big 'no' to going to Iraq, but they were ignored. Now it's over 4,000 dead service members, over one million dead Iraqis, and trillions of dollars later."
While the resolution is non-binding, supporters say it will have a significant political impact. "This strong vote sends a message from Congress that reflects an American public that doesn't want to get back involved," Stephen Miles of Win Without War told Common Dreams. "We hope the president will listen to that and resist people like Dick Cheney who are re-emerging to say we want to do this all over again."
Miles said that the resolution passed thanks in part to call-in efforts from opponents of U.S. escalation, backed by dozens of anti-war groups. "Over the last 48 hours, several thousand calls were made, and since the crisis in Iraq heated back up, anti-war groups have made well over 20,000 calls to Congress and sent more emails saying no escalations," said Miles. "Every report we heard from a member of Congress was not only that they received a number of calls, but that an overwhelming proportion were opposed to force."
Polling suggests these numbers reflect U.S. public opinion. A survey released in June by Public Policy Polling found that 74 percent of people in the U.S. is opposed to deploying combat troops to Iraq.
"Enough is enough. After more than decade of war, the American people are war-weary," said Congresswoman Lee in a statement about the resolution's passage.
The resolution's backers, however, note that there is still much more work left to do. The resolution likely will not affect the 800 U.S. military service members currently deployed to Iraq--hundreds of whom are directly aiding the intelligence and military operations of the Iraqi government, in what critics charge is a direct U.S. hand in climbing escalation. Furthermore, the U.S. continues to send weapons and money to the Iraqi government, despite their documented bombing of civilian areas in their military operations against ISIS.
"This resolution is a step in the right direction but Congress needs to repeal the AUMFs that serve as a blank check for endless war," said Lee, referring to post-9/11 legislation authorizing open-ended military force.
According to Matt Howard of Iraq Veterans Against the War, "Although we know that this is far too little and what we really need is full withdrawal and a pursuit of remediation of damages caused by our occupation of Iraq, [the resolution] at least represents a shift in Congress caused in no small part by people who have had enough."