Senator Jim Webb's press release today:
30 Senators Say White House Must Seek Congressional Approval for Offensive Military Action against Iran
Aggressive Rhetoric Undermines Diplomacy
Washington, DC, Nov. 1 — Along with 29 co-signers, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia sent a letter to the White House today warning the President not to take offensive military action against Iran without the express consent of Congress. Designed to clarify any ambiguity as a result of a recent Senate amendment urging designation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, the Senators also expressed concern that the administration’s increasingly provocative rhetoric has undermined diplomatic efforts with Iran.
|
Follow me for the details, and who showed up to warn Bush about war with Iran...
Here is the text of the letter, and the signatories.
November 1, 2007
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
We are writing to express serious concerns with the provocative statements and actions stemming from your administration with respect to possible U.S. military action in Iran. These comments are counterproductive and undermine efforts to resolve tensions with Iran through diplomacy.
We wish to emphasize that no congressional authority exists for unilateral military action against Iran. This includes the Senate vote on September 26, 2007 on an amendment to the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. This amendment, expressing the sense of the Senate on Iran, and the recent designation of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, should in no way be interpreted as a predicate for the use of military force in Iran.
We stand ready to work with your administration to address the challenges presented by Iran in a manner that safeguards our security interests and promotes a regional diplomatic solution, but we wish to emphasize that offensive military action should not be taken against Iran without the express consent of Congress.
Sincerely,
Jim Webb (D-VA)
Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI)
Max Baucus (D-MT)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Robert C. Byrd (D-WV)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Thomas R. Carper (D-DE)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY)
Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT)
Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND)
Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Tim Johnson (D-SD)
John F. Kerry (D-MA)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Herb Kohl (D-WI)
Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV)
Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Jon Tester (D-MT)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Ron Wyden (D-OR) |
Designed to clarify any lingering misunderstanding on the part of the White House regarding the meaning of the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment, and specifically referencing that amendment, the letter called on George Bush to desist from "provocative statements and actions", and engage Iran diplomatically.
Of the current Democratic Senators running for the nomination, Hillary Clinton and Chris Dodd signed the letter. Barack Obama and Joe Biden declined to sign the letter, along with Senate majority Leader Harry Reid.
Barack Obama's statement, released by his Senate office, seems to indicate that Obama believes legislation will be effective, not a letter. His statement is as follows:
"Senator Obama admires Senator Webb and his sincere and tireless efforts on this issue. But it will take more than a letter to prevent this administration from using the language contained within the Kyl-Lieberman resolution to justify military action in Iran. This requires a legislative answer and Senator Obama intends to propose one." |
A statement from Joe Biden's spokesperson seems to indicate that a letter is not needed:
"Sen. Biden voted against the amendment urging the designation of the Iranian Rev. Guard as a terrorist group. He strongly opposed it because he believed it could be used by this President to justify military action against Iran. He has also made clear many times his view that the President lacks the authority to use force against Iran absent authorization from Congress. He didn't need to clarify that position - he's been clear from the start," said Biden spokesperson Elizabeth Alexander. |
So, once again, where is Barack Obama? What possible reason could there be for refusing to sign a letter clarifying that Kyl-Lieberman does not authorize military action against Iran, given the complaints Obama has publicly made about possible use of Kyl-Lieberman to authorize military action against Iran? And where is this "legislative answer" that Obama intends to propose? Probably sitting on his desk next to Webb's bill (S. 759) to prevent funding of military action against Iran, which was sent to Obama's committee back in March. And has been sitting there ever since.
Oh well. I guess Obama isn't in any particular hurry on this. Any time you're ready, Barack.
UPDATE: Barack Obama said that he will be introducing a resolution tomorrow stating that Bush does not have the authority to attack Iran.