U.S. Newswire : "US Congress Bans Funding for Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq"

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"US Congress Bans Funding for Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq"

The U.S. Congress this week finalized legislation that bars funding to construct permanent military bases in Iraq and states definitively that it is the policy of the United States government not to exercise control over Iraq's petroleum resources. "The perception that the U.S. military plans to stay in Iraq indefinitely has fueled the insurgency and undermined the stability of the Iraqi government," said Ruth Flower, legislative director for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). "This legislation is an important first step in changing the failed U.S. policy in Iraq."

The final conference report on the military appropriations bill released Sept. 25 prohibits the Pentagon from spending money to establish military installations or bases in Iraq. The House and Senate are expected to vote on the final version of this legislation later this week. While the FCNL believes this declaration of policy is an important step toward changing U.S. policy in Iraq, it is concerned that the military appropriations bill also includes an additional $70 billion in funding for the failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation, the oldest registered religious lobby in Washington, is a non-partisan Quaker lobby in the public interest. FCNL works with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people from many different races, religions and cultures to advocate for social and economic justice, peace and good government. For more information on the Quaker lobby click here