Senate Iran Resolution: De Facto Declaration of War?

[beretta304]

For 26 minutes last Friday night, the sound of war drums reverberating through the Senate chamber were silenced as Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) stood and delivered a speech that served as a vehicle for filibuster and a voice of warning against military intervention in yet another Middle Eastern country. “I think a vote for this resolution is a vote for the concept of preemptive war,” Paul said.

Senate Resolution 41 is a non-binding measure originally introduced in February and sponsored by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). The Senate passed the resolution late Friday night/early Saturday morning by a vote of 90-1. Senator Paul was the lone dissenting voice.


Senator Paul considers such a statement unwise. “This means that right now, before anything happens, you’ve decided that you will preemptively go to war,” Paul said.

Fox News disagrees. In a story reporting the Senate’s overwhelming support for the Graham resolution, the 24-hour news channel insists that the vote “should not be construed as an authorization for the use of military force or a declaration of war.”

Despite denials that this resolution will be used to justify armed intervention in Iran, similar soft-pedaling was heard after September 11, 2001, and American troops are still dying in the Middle East 11 years later.




Senate Iran Resolution: De Facto Declaration of War?

U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote

 

[Oddball]

Despite denials that this resolution will be used to justify armed intervention in Iran, similar soft-pedaling was heard after September 11, 2001, and American troops are still dying in the Middle East 11 years later.

As was the 1998 resolution of "regime change in Iraq" being declared official federal policy, as signed by Bubba Clintoon.

War is peace!

 

[TakeAStepBack]

Alright. Another war to pay for with our lives and our wealth. Spreading freedom is such a success for us!

 

[beretta304]

Alright. Another war to pay for with our lives and our wealth. Spreading freedom is such a success for us!

Sad but true. You can see it coming unfortunately.

 

[Katzndogz]

We are spreading freedom. We just didn't stop to think that in some circles freedom means the freedom to oppress others based on democracy.

 

[blastoff]

Relax. They can always fall back on the Hillary Clinton hilarious mulligan that by voting for the Iraq War Resolution she didn't think it actually meant we'd go to war.

 

[beretta304]

We are spreading freedom. We just didn't stop to think that in some circles freedom means the freedom to oppress others based on democracy.

You shouldn't talk about Liberals like that!

 

[g5000]

The text of the bill: Bill Text - 112th Congress (2011-2012) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

After all the Whereases:

SECTION 1. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

That Congress--

(1) reaffirms that the United States Government and the governments of other responsible countries have a vital interest in working together to prevent the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;

(2) warns that time is limited to prevent the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;

(3) urges continued and increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran until the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to and implements--

(A) the full and sustained suspension of all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and compliance with United Nations Security Council resolutions;

(B) complete cooperation with the IAEA on all outstanding questions related to the nuclear activities of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the implementation of the additional protocol to Iran's Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA; and

(C) a permanent agreement that verifiably assures that Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful;

(4) expresses the desire that the P5+1 process successfully and swiftly leads to the objectives identified in paragraph (3), but warns that, as President Obama has said, the window for diplomacy is closing;

(5) expresses support for the universal rights and democratic aspirations of the people of Iran;

(6) strongly supports United States policy to prevent the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability;

(7) rejects any United States policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran; and

(8) joins the President in ruling out any policy that would rely on containment as an option in response to the Iranian nuclear threat.

SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as an authorization for the use of force or a declaration of war.

So there you go. This is a resolution, not a bill. It is not legally a declaration of war. An actual declaration of war would require a bill and a vote.

This is chest thumping.

.



.

 

[beretta304]

De facto (English pronunciation: /diː ˈfæktoʊ/, /deɪ/, Latin pronunciation: [deː ˈfaktoː]) is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established."

 

[Avatar4321]

Nope. doesnt look like one.

Of course, Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon could be a de facto declaration of war.

War is coming unless we radically change the course we are on.

 

[JWBooth]

Alright. Another war to pay for with our lives and our wealth. Spreading freedom is such a success for us!

I know I'm just sooooooooo excited.