In Response to Signing Statement, Rep. Lee Proposes Passing a Bill; You Have 10 Seconds to Find the Weakness in This Approach

DON'T LET THE PRESIDENT IGNORE LEGISLATION BANNING PERMANENT MILITARY BASES IN IRAQ

Cosponsor HR 5128 to prevent backdoor attempts at keeping our troops in Iraq indefinitely

Dear Colleague:

As one of the strongest proponents in Congress ensuring that the United States doesn't establish a long-term or permanent military presence in Iraq, I wanted to be certain you were aware that on Monday the President issued a signing statement that signaled his intent to ignore a provision in the FY08 Department of Defense Authorization bill prohibiting a long-term military presence in Iraq. (See: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080128-10.html )

This is a particularly contradictory and serious development given that the President has signed similar provisions into law five times before. (PL109-289, PL 109-364, PL 110-28, PL 110-116, and PL 110-161.)

Sadly, this is a pattern of behavior from a White House that seems intent on cutting Congress out of any decisions relating to the permanent stationing of the US military in Iraq. At the end of last year, without formal congressional input, President Bush and Prime Minister Malaki signed a "Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America" that will set the stage for future agreements on the disposition of US troops in Iraq.

That's why I urge you to cosponsor legislation I have introduced, HR 5128, which will require that any formal agreement emerging from this 'declaration of principles' have the approval of both the House and Senate. Further HR 5128 states a sense of Congress that the Iraqi parliament should put their imprimatur on any agreement as well. Finally, HR 5128 will prohibit funding for any agreement that may emerge from these principles that does not have the approval of the House and Senate.

Make sure that Congress has a say in what our long-term military presence in Iraq will be. To cosponsor this legislation or to look for ways to collaborate on this issue please contact Ven Neralla of my staff at ven.neralla@mail.house.gov.

Sincerely,

BARBARA LEE
Member of Congress

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HR 5128 IH

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5128

Disapproving of any formal agreement emerging from the `Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America' unless the agreement is approved through an Act of Congress.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 23, 2008

Ms. LEE (for herself, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. WATERS, and Mr. HINCHEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

Disapproving of any formal agreement emerging from the `Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America' unless the agreement is approved through an Act of Congress.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The Iraq Study Group Report recommends: `The President should state that the United States does not seek permanent military bases in Iraq. If the Iraqi Government were to request a temporary base or bases, then the United States Government could consider that request as it would in the case of any other government.'.

(2) The House of Representatives has passed 10 separate bills prohibiting or expressing opposition to the establishment of permanent military bases in Iraq including five of which Congress has approved on a strong bipartisan basis and the President has signed into law: Public Law 109-289, Public Law 109-364, Public Law 110-28, Public Law 110-116, and Public Law 110-161. Nevertheless, the President has failed to faithfully execute and enforce these statutes, as he has taken an oath to fulfill.

(3) The perception that the United States intends to permanently maintain tens of thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq, following the invasion ordered by President Bush in March 2003 and the subsequent prolonged military occupation of Iraq, aids insurgent groups and the al-Qaeda terrorist network in recruiting supporters and fuels violent activity.

(4) Without any congressional consultation or input, President Bush signed a `Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America' on November 26, 2007.

(5) The `Declaration of Principles' outlines the multi-faceted shape of the long-term bilateal relationship between the Governments of the United States and Iraq, including anticipated enduring military roles for the U.S. Armed Forces.
SEC. 2. DISAPPROVAL OF AGREEMENT EMERGING FROM DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.

Any formal agreement emerging from the `Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America' shall not have the effect of force of law unless the agreement is approved by an Act of Congress enacted after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that any formal agreement emerging from the `Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America' must be approved by an act of the Iraqi legislature.
SEC. 4. LIMITATION OF USE OF FUNDS.

No funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense or any other department or agency of the United States may be used to enforce or implement any formal agreement emerging from the `Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America' unless the agreement is approved through an Act of Congress.