Progressives to Introduce End the War Bill in U.S. House

There are a number of stop the war or stop the escalation resolutions -- some binding, some not -- floating around Capitol Hill this week. There's also an effort being organized by Progressive States Network and others to get state legislatures to approve a resolution urging Congress to reject Bush's escalation plans. The Nation has more on this.

One of the strongest bills will be introduced by Reps. Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee, co-chairs of the 64-member Progressive Caucus in the U.S House. The proposed bill has reportedly been co-sponsored by 13 others including Reps. Barney Frank, John Conyers, Jim McGovern, Dennis Kucinich, Diane Watson, Maurice Hinchey, Jerry Nadler and Raul Grijalva.

According to a Jonathan Tasina article on Huffington Post:

1. The bill fully funds a 6-month withdrawal of US forces and military contractors (from the date of enactment of the bill) from Iraq.

2. It repeals the authorization for the use of force. This is key, in my humble opinion, because it takes away any remaining authority to wage war in Iraq and, hopefully, reestablishes the Congress' power to wage war.

3. It prohibits the building of any permanent military bases in Iraq, which has clearly been the Pentagon's plan.

4. It provides economic and political aid to the Iraqi people and their government. Whenever I've written and spoken about this issue, I've been clear that, while the U.S. cannot play any military role in Iraq, we are morally obligated to help rebuild a country out government destroyed.

5. The bill fully funds the VA Health Care system for all military veterans.

6. As I understand it, the bill draws on language from other bills aimed at an exit from war to peace and puts it into a package they hope to rally lawmakers and grassroots behind.

You can read about other resolutions in my previous posts here and here. And this New York Times article summarizes the ongoing efforts in both the House and Senate to get a bipartisan resolution against Bush's escalation. A UPI article discusses Sen. Levin's recent call for a new war authorization and troop caps, as well as Sen. Kennedy's bill to cut off funds for more troops.