Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Statement on White House’s Civilian Causalities Report
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee released this statement concerning the White House's report on civilian casualties in US operations in regions outside of war zones:
“By releasing this report, the White House has taken an important step toward greater transparency and oversight of counterterrorism operations.
However, the fact remains that these military operations are being conducted under the outdated and overly-broad authorization passed in 2001.
For far too long, our nation has been engaged in perpetual war. Congress must stop abdicating its sacred responsibility to carefully debate and vote on military operations, including our drone program.
We owe the American people a full debate on the costs and consequences of these endless wars. It’s past time to restore the people's voice to matters of war and peace.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Democrat Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity.