Senate OKs Resolution Against Iraq War Escalation

Amid accusations that it would give comfort to America's enemies, the Democratic-controlled California Senate approved a resolution this afternoon calling for a halt to boosting the number of troops to Iraq or spending any more taxpayer dollars on the war without explicit approval from Congress.

The resolution was introduced by state Sen. Carole Midgen (pictured) amid a similar debate in Congress over the direction of the war. Midgen said the resolution will be amended when it reaches the Assembly to include a stronger message of support for the troops.

Democrats nevertheless said the Iraq war has been a failure and no longer appears to be a "just cause." The resolution said the $357 billion spent to date on the Iraq war "could have funded desperately needed education, health care, housing, nutrition and other social services in our communities in the United States."

The resolution was approved 22-14.

Republicans stood to oppose the resolution, which is legally meaningless but expresses the opinion of the Legislature. One said the Democratic Party should be ashamed of supporting the terrorists, who could soon be attacking California cities.

"This resolution emboldens our enemies," said Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth. "This resolution simply tells al-Qaeda and other state sponsors of terrorism, 'We've got the Americans on the run. First, we had the election in November and now ... all we have to do is hold out a while longer. They are crumbling in Washington and they are crumbling in state legislatures all over the country.' "

"I am 56 years old and in all my years I have yet to experience a situation like this, where a legislative body has taken it upon itself to pass resolutions to support and enhance the morale of our enemies," said Sen. Dave Cogdill.

Sen. Sheila Kuehl responded by saying: "Balderdash. If anything is supporting and emboldening our enemies, it is this war. ... It's been outstanding the work we have done to embolden al-Qaeda." She said "this war was a mistake, and the rest of the world knows it."

Read the full text of the resolution after the jump. (Photo: Steve Yeater / AP)

   WHEREAS, The President has proposed an escalation in the number of
United States troops deployed in Iraq; and
   WHEREAS, United States involvement in Iraq has resulted in the
deaths of more than 3,000 United States soldiers and the wounding and
disabling of more than 22,000 United States personnel to date; and
   WHEREAS, This proposed escalation will further extend National
Guard tours in Iraq, for which the costs to the states of the callup
of National Guard members for deployment in Iraq have already been
significant, as reckoned in lost lives, combat injuries, psychic
trauma, disruption of family life, financial hardship for
individuals, families, and businesses, interruption of careers, and
damage to the fabric of civic life in our communities; and
   WHEREAS, The American troops have valiantly upheld their duty
under dire circumstances; and
   WHEREAS, More than $357 billion has been appropriated by Congress
to fund military operations and reconstruction in Iraq to date, money
that could have funded desperately needed education, health care,
housing, nutrition, and other social services in our communities in
the United States or humanitarian assistance abroad; and
   WHEREAS, Previous budgets that have prioritized Iraq have led to
cuts in critical block grants for states and have increased federal
debt, that, compounded by interest payments, will likely lead to even
larger cuts in funding for critical needs in the United States in
the future; and
   WHEREAS, Polls show that the vast majority of Americans do not
support increasing the number of troops in Iraq; and
   WHEREAS, Most military experts oppose escalation in Iraq and press
reports indicate that even the Joint Chiefs of Staff have opposed
such a strategy; and
   WHEREAS, Legal experts on all sides have determined that Congress
has not only broad authority, but a long tradition of limiting
escalation or forcing redeployment of troops through the
constitutionally designated power of the purse; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California,
on behalf of its citizens, urges the President and Congress of the
United States to not escalate United States involvement in Iraq or
increase troop levels, during a period when the Iraq Study Group,
leading military and diplomatic officials, and allies around the
world are calling for a reduction in troops and withdrawal of the
United States from Iraq; and be it further
   Resolved, That, at a minimum, the President should obtain explicit
approval from Congress to send more American troops to Iraq; and be
it further
   Resolved, That Congress should enact legislation prohibiting the
President from spending taxpayer dollars on an escalation in Iraq
unless he first seeks approval from Congress; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States,
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of
the Senate, and each Senator and Representative from California in
the Congress of the United States.