Peace and Justice Works
  Iraq Affinity Group
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065
iraq@pjw.info
http://www.pjw.info/Iraq.html

Representative Blumenauer:

We appreciate the spirit of your reaction to the current President's agenda ("Resist") and hope you will back that up with concrete actions. The military recently announced a plan to send 2500 troops to Kuwait so they can be forward-deployed into Iraq and Syria to fight the so-called Islamic State (Army Times March 9).
https://www.armytimes.com/articles/82nd-airborne-syria-iraq-kuwait-islamic-state

Over 5000 troops are currently in Iraq and 400 in Syria, with 400 more on the way (New York Times March 9).
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/world/middleeast/us-troops-syria.html

American soldiers are increasingly involved in what is unquestionably combat operations despite the previous administration's promise of "no boots on the ground" (example: "Marines Tasked with Firing Howitzers in Syria Are Just Advisers, Says Sean Spicer, the Intercept, March 10).
https://theintercept.com/2017/03/10/marines-tasked-with-firing-howitzers-in-syria-are-just-advisers-says-sean-spicer/

Thus we call on you to demand the implementation of the War Powers Resolution which requires congressional approval of any deployment of forces into hostilities, or where hostilities are imminent. The Authorization for Use of Military Force passed in 2001 addressed Al Qaeda and those responsible for 9/11. It is being used to justify the ongoing wars against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and military actions in Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan.

[Examples:
  US pounds al Qaeda in Yemen with more than 20 strikes - Reuters 3/2
  http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-yemen-idUSKBN1691PV

  Suspected US drone strike kills two in Pakistan near Afghan border - Reuters 3/2
  http://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-drones-idUSKBN16914P

  UN: US airstrikes in Afghanistan kill 18 civilians -Stars & Stripes 2/13
  http://www.stripes.com/news/un-us-airstrikes-in-afghanistan-kill-18-civilians-1.453783 ]

The President promises to rebuild America's infrastructure and reform the health care system while pouring billions more into wars that only perpetuate themselves and result in our country being less safe.

The War Powers Resolution refers to deployments of over 60 days. Even ignoring the troops deployed by the previous President, that means many of the soldiers in these zones will have been deployed for 60 days under President Trump as of March 21.

Our request is for Congress to take its responsibility under the Constitution to be the branch of government that declares war-- but in this case, we want Congress to order the President to declare peace, bring the troops home, work on diplomatic solutions, and spend Americans' tax money on human needs.

Thank you
Dan Handelman
for
Peace and Justice Works Iraq Affinity Group

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