Freedom Socialist Vol. 29, No. 2 April-May 2008

Congress has the power to end the Iraq war  

by Chas Beshears

Credit Kristopher Wilson / U.S. Navy

The Democratic majority in Congress was elected by outrage against the profit-driven war in Iraq and expectations that they would end the occupation and bring the troops home. But voters’ expectations have been met only with excuses for doing nothing.

What Congress can do, but won’t. The Constitution gives Congress substantial war powers. Just as the federal legislature gave President Bush permission to invade Iraq, it can revoke that power under Article 1, Section 8. This section also allows them to withhold funding for the war. Additionally, the legislative branch could pass a law to set a timetable for withdrawal, after which point no money could be spent on combat.

Instead, lawmakers hide behind the illusion that Congress’ war muscles are overpowered by the executive branch.

Congress now says that we must wait until we have a Democrat in the White House. That, we’re told, will give us a president who won’t veto Congress should it actually do something bold. But this reasoning is ridiculous.

First of all, Congress could simply refuse to pass the “supplemental” spending bills that keep the war alive. In essence, they could veto Bush, instead of the other way around.

Second, a true end to the aggression is not even part of the platforms of either of the Democratic frontrunners. Both say that some sort of “security force,” including troops and mercenaries, will be in place indefinitely.

Waiting for a Democratic president has a terrible effect on the anti-war movement. Many of its leaders waste precious time and energy galvanizing support for “anti-war” Democrats instead of grass-roots organizing, feeding the myth that only Republicans are the problem. This is a huge reason why there are not enough big demonstrations. Meanwhile, the conflict is killing hundreds of people, sometimes thousands, each month.

Another excuse offered is that while the troops are in the field, cutting off funding will deprive them of what they need and put them in greater danger. But each jet, tank and bullet that’s bought will be used to harm the Iraqi people. It’s humanly and politically wrong to favor protecting U.S. soldiers over Iraqis’ right to resist occupation.

Not to mention that continuing to fund the war guarantees that U.S. soldiers will keep dying as well! And it also provides a rationale for cutbacks in social services in the U.S., including services veterans need.

All talk and no walk. Democrats scold Bush for getting the U.S. into a war that has turned wildly unpopular at home, even though most of them authorized it. They vow to end it, and then pass nonbinding resolutions to express “dissatisfaction” while continuing to fund it. What an insult!

Both the Republican and Democratic parties of the ruling class resort to war to preserve profits for mega-corporations. This is inevitable, because capitalism propels imperialist nations into clashes over dwindling markets and sources of raw materials. The good news is that this destructive system can’t last.

Activists should stop relying on Congress for change. U.S. workers need to take control of the situation. What will end the war is a movement that is anti-capitalist, democratic and multi-issue. Ultimately, global capitalism needs to be replaced with a planned, nonprofit economy run by and for workers. This is a prerequisite for permanent peace.