Washington D.C. (December 9, 2009) – Following a speech on the floor of
the House of Representatives, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today
released the following statement:
"Today, I will begin circulating two privileged resolutions which will
trigger debate and votes on a timely withdrawal of U.S troops from
Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United States makes it
Congress' responsibility to determine whether or not we go to war or
stay at war. Consistent with Article 1, Section 8, the privileged
resolutions will invoke the War Powers Resolution of 1973. I ask for
your support of these resolutions, which will be introduced in the House
in January.
"Yesterday, with the US Secretary of Defense at his side, the President
of Afghanistan declared that his country's security forces will need
financial and training assistance from the United States for the next
15-20 years.
"We cannot afford these wars. We cannot afford the loss of lives. We
cannot afford the cost to taxpayers. We cannot afford to fail to
exercise our constitutional right to end the wars.
"Please sign onto the privileged resolutions to end the wars and to
bring our troops home.
Stand up for the troops. Stand up for the truth. Stand up for the
Constitution and Congress' responsibility."
See a copy of the Kucinich's letter to colleagues HERE (PDF)