May 18, 2004

Progressive Caucus Protests Rejection of Iraq-Related Amendments by House Republicans


Not One Progressive Caucus Member’s Amendment Included in Floor Debate

Washington, DC – Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) decried the House Republicans’ unwillingness to accept any Progressive Caucus Members’ amendments for the debate on H.R. 4200, the Defense Authorization Act. H.R. 4200 includes the $25 billion that the Bush Administration recently requested to continue the war in Iraq.

“This bill includes an authorization for a third installment on the war in Iraq, and yet the House Republicans refuse any debate on serious amendments that want to examine the conduct of this war,” said Lee. “That’s outrageous and an insult to the American people.”

"This is yet another attempt by the Republicans in Congress and the Administration to stifle debate on the war,” stated Kucinich. “This Congress has failed in its oversight of this Administration's policy in Iraq. Now, as we are being asked to authorize another $25 billion to continue the occupation, the Republican majority is once again preventing real and honest debate.”

Some of the amendments rejected:

  • DeFazio: Would have prohibited the Pentagon from continuing to provide taxpayer money to Ahmad Chalabi and the Iraqi National Congress for intelligence collection.

  • Jackson Lee: Would have directed the Department of Defense to conduct a full review into the situations in which women are placed within the Armed Forces, specifically focusing on the intimidation many women in the Armed Forces face in relation to higher ranking male officers.

  • Kucinich: Would have provided that not later than 60 days, the President would transmit to Congress, in unclassified form, a report setting forth the criteria for the withdrawal of all United States combat forces from Iraq, or in short, an exit strategy.

  • Kucinich: Would have expressed the sense of Congress that the United States has no long-term military intentions in Iraq and the United States will not create any permanent military bases in Iraq.

  • Lee: Would have directed the executive branch to work to create an international commission to monitor compliance with the Geneva Convention in U.S.-held prisons in Iraq; the commission would have included representatives from the International Red Cross, the International Red Crescent, the transitional government in Iraq, Iraqi civil society, the United Nations, and the United States and Coalition armed forces.

  • Sanders: Would have prohibited companies from receiving future defense contracts if they lay off a greater percentage of U.S. workers than workers in other countries.

  • Schakowsky: Would have required monthly reporting on contracts for services in Iraq and Afghanistan between the United States and private companies in excess of $1 million.

  • Serrano: Would have identified and provided health screenings for military personnel who are or have been exposed to depleted uranium contaminants.