Senator Joe Biden is co-sponsoring a bill to rescind the original authorization given by Congress to go to war in Iraq. His basis for such a move is that in his mind, the original goals set forth in that resolution no longer apply
We gave the President that power to destroy Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and, if necessary, to depose Saddam Hussein.
The WMD were not there. Saddam Hussein is no longer there. The 2002 authorization is no longer relevant to the situation in Iraq.
I am working on legislation to repeal that authorization and replace it with a much narrower mission statement for our troops in Iraq.
In case you missed it, Senator Biden says "Mission Accomplished."
But is it?
If we take a look at the Joint Resolution to Authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces Against Iraq (HJ Res 114) it does indeed say get rid of Saddam. And while it does not say that Iraq had WMDs (instead finding that Iraq had not complied with UN Resolutions to disarm and that because it did not comply, the cease-fire was off) we'll give that one to Biden.
But the HJ Res 114 also says
Whereas the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–338) expressed the sense of Congress that it should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove from power the current Iraqi regime and promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime; (emphasis mine)
I'm thinking we're not quite there yet. So that mission is still not accomplished. And then there's
Whereas in December 1991, Congress expressed its sense that it ‘‘supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 as being consistent with the Authorization of Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution (Public Law 102–1),’’ that Iraq’s repression of its civilian population violates United Nations Security Council Resolution 688 and ‘‘constitutes a continuing threat to the peace, security, and stability of the Persian Gulf region,’’ and that Congress, ‘‘supports the use of all necessary means to achieve the goals of United Nations Security Council Resolution 688’’;
I'm thinking that unless and until Iraq becomes a self-secure nation with border integrity, it will continue to be a threat to the Persian Gulf region. So that mission is still not accomplished.
And of course there's
Whereas Congress has taken steps to pursue vigorously the war on terrorism through the provision of authorities and funding requested by the President to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such persons or organizations;
I think even Senator Biden would acknowledge that al Qaida and other international terrorist organizations still operate in Iraq. So that mission is still not accomplished.
You know I'm surprised, given as how Senator Biden signed this authorization for war that he is so unaware of what was in it. I'm guessing he's unaware of these parts as well
Whereas the President and Congress are determined to continue to take all appropriate actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such persons or organizations;
Well, some are still determined and some are not
Whereas the President has authority under the Constitution to take action in order to deter and prevent acts of international terrorism against the United States, as Congress recognized in the joint resolution on Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40); and
See? At one time Congress knew its place; and the President's place; in the Constitution
Whereas it is in the national security interests of the United States to restore international peace and security to the Persian Gulf region
And that mission is still not accomplished
So which is it, did Biden not execute his sworn duty to carefully review the authorization to go to war with Iraq before signing it, or was he so incompetent that he was able to be misled for years and years prior to the Bush Administration even taking office?
Either way, I'd say he's definitely not Presidential material.
