Talking Points on The Webb Amendment

• On March 5, 2007, Senator Jim Webb introduced S. 759, a bill to prohibit the use of funds for military operations in Iran without the express consent of Congress.

• The purpose of this legislation is to restore a proper balance between the executive and legislative branches when it comes to the commencement of military activities.

• The legislation allows American forces to directly respond to attacks or possible attacks that might be initiated from Iran, as well as those that might be begun elsewhere and then carry over into Iranian territory.

• Senator Webb plans to offer this legislation as an amendment to the FY 2007 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. 

• Specifically, this amendment would require that the President seek congressional authorization prior to commencing any military action in Iran with the following exceptions:
  1. military operations or activities to directly repel an attack launched from within the territory of Iran
  2. military operations or activities to directly thwart an imminent attack to be launched from within the territory of Iran
  3. military operations or activities in hot pursuit of forces engaged outside the territory of Iran who thereafter enter into Iran
  4. intelligence collection activities properly noticed to the appropriate committees of Congress
     
     
• The major function of this legislation is to prevent this Administration from commencing unprovoked military activities against Iran without the approval of the Congress.

• President Bush’s “signing statement” accompanying the 2002 congressional resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq indicates that this Administration believes it possesses the broadest imaginable authority to commence military action without the consent of the Congress.

• This amendment will not take any military options off of the table.  Nor will it tie the hands of the Administration if our military forces are actually attacked from Iranian soil or territorial waters, or by forces that retreat into Iranian territory. 

• This legislation is necessary because the Administration misled Congress and the American people and manipulated debate in the run-up to embarking on what has become a disastrous and unpopular war in Iraq.

• This is responsible legislation.

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