For Immediate Release
As the Senate prepares to debate Senate Joint Resolution 54, March on the Pentagon encourages Americans to read the text of the resolution and consider its actual implications.
On November 28th, the Senate voted 63-37 to discuss the resolution on the Senate floor. In March, the same resolution was not approved. While November’s vote can be considered progress on the topic, the most important thing to note is that this resolution, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), does not call for an end to U.S. involvement in the war in Yemen and may very well only serve to pacify Americans that are only slightly aware or concerned about the issue.
The bill has been falsely lauded as a potential end to U.S. involvement in the war in Yemen. The conclusion of the bill says it all, quite plainly:
SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS.
Pursuant to section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a) and in accordance with the provisions of section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–329; 90 Stat. 765), Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen, except United States Armed Forces engaged in operations directed at al Qaeda or associated forces, by not later than the date that is 30 days after the date of the adoption of this joint resolution (unless the President requests and Congress authorizes a later date), and unless and until a declaration of war or specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces has been enacted.
We know full well what this means. “Operations directed at al Qaeda” are under the “war on terror” umbrella - the vague war on a moving target that has resulted in the ruin of entire countries and the loss of millions of innocent lives since 2001.
The situation in Yemen is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The best way for the United States to move forward at this point is to cease all military operations in Yemen, regardless of target, and all support for the murderous Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as the United Arab Emirates. This means an end to the sale of weapons used against Yemen, an end to sharing intelligence, an end to providing midair refueling assistance, etc.
The passage of SJR 54 will not stop the war in Yemen and Americans need to know the truth. If anything, it will lead to a false sense that “we” won and that significant progress is being made while the genocide continues.
March on the Pentagon rejects SJR 54 as the means to an end to the war in Yemen.
The ACLU also concluded that the resolution to end the war in Yemen, if passed, would not stop US support for Saudi Arabia nor would it stop the US from intervening unilaterally. Mock opposition.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention that it will not become law unless the House approves it. That is unlikely to happen until the new Congress is sworn in. The process would need to start all over again.
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