American Freedom Campaign- Sign Up

Tell your U.S. representative to support Rep. Barbara Lee’s resolution declaring the U.S.-Iraq agreement merely advisory in nature

While we may have a new president dedicated to reversing some of the worst abuses of the Bush administration, there is at least one unconstitutional executive power President Obama is trying to protect. Congress must take action to ensure that the power to sign international agreements related to military activities does not rest solely in the hands of the executive branch.

As things currently stand, the Bush administration deemed the U.S.-Iraq agreement a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a type of agreement that has always been used to establish basic legal standards related to the presence of the U.S. military in another nation. SOFAs do not require congressional approval. But the U.S.-Iraq agreement goes well beyond the traditional boundaries of a SOFA, dictating how long the U.S. military will stay in Iraq (up to three years at a possible cost of $10 billion per month) and even giving Iraq a measure of control over U.S. troops.

As the Obama administration seems satisfied with the current agreement, it may be tempting for members of Congress to leave well enough alone and move on to other matters. They might be driven by the feeling, especially among Democrats, that the agreement is the best we are going to get at this point so there is no need to reopen the debate. But this misses the entire point.

If nothing is done today, then President Romney, President Palin, or – god forbid – President Cheney may sign a far-reaching “SOFA” of their own with Iran in 2014 or 2018. That may seem far off in the distance now, but in the span of this nation’s history, nine years is nothing. This agreement, if Congress is not included in the process, will set a strong precedent for future presidents to cite. They will be able to say that congressional approval is not required for these kinds of agreements and will point to 2009 as their justification.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) has introduced a resolution (H.Res. 72) expressing the sense of the House that the U.S.-Iraq agreement will be considered merely advisory in nature absent congressional approval. Such action is needed to force President Obama to seek approval from Congress. So please fill in the information below and click on “Send My Message!” to tell your U.S. representative to co-sponsor, support, and vote for Rep. Lee’s important resolution (H.Res. 72).

May 18, 2013

Subject:

Dear Representative,

You must take a stand on behalf of Congress and oppose the process used to “formalize” the agreement between the United States and Iraq.  If you do nothing and act as if it has the force of law, you will be doing a grave injustice to the institution in which you serve.  Fortunately, there now exists a piece of legislation that will allow you to express your opposition to the unconstitutional nature of the process.

As things currently stand, the Bush administration deemed the U.S.-Iraq agreement a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), a type of agreement that has always been used to establish basic legal standards related to the presence of the U.S. military in another nation.  SOFAs do not require congressional approval.  But the U.S.-Iraq agreement goes well beyond the traditional boundaries of a SOFA, dictating how long the U.S. military will stay in Iraq (up to three years at a possible cost of $10 billion per month) and even giving Iraq a measure of control over U.S. troops.

On January 15, Rep. Lee introduced a resolution related to the U.S.-Iraq agreement (H.Res. 72).  The primary purpose of this resolution is to express the sense of the House that President Bush did not have the power under the Constitution to negotiate and sign such a far-reaching agreement with another nation without seeking congressional approval of the agreement.

Passage of this resolution will send a message to the Obama administration and the rest of the world that the agreement holds no legal weight under domestic law and will be considered merely advisory by Congress.  More importantly, it will increase pressure on President Obama to rightly submit the agreement to Congress for approval.

Although you may be satisfied with the terms of the current agreement, that is not the point.  If nothing is done today, a future president may sign a new far-reaching “SOFA” not to your liking with Iran in 2014 or 2018.  That may seem far off in the distance now, but in the span of this nation’s history, nine years is nothing.  This current agreement, if Congress is not included in the process, will set a strong precedent for future presidents to cite.  They will be able to say that congressional approval is not required for these kinds of agreements and will point to 2009 as their justification.

I urge you to co-sponsor H.Res. 72.  To do so, please contact Gregory Berry in the office of Rep. Lee.  And when the resolution eventually comes to the floor, I hope and expect that you will speak out in favor of it and will cast your vote for its passage.

Thank you for standing up for your constituents, the institution of Congress, and the Constitution.

We will add your signature from the information you provide.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Street*

Street 2

City*

State/Province*

Zip/Postal Code*

Send an Email