'Are we at least willing to defend the Constitution from the comfort and security of our Washington, DC offices?'

Kucinich Bringing Back Impeachment This Week

Ben Pershing

Keeping true to his word, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) informed his colleagues today that he would bring one article of impeachment against President Bush "for taking our nation and our troops to war based on lies" to the House floor Thursday.

In early June, Kucinich introduced 35 articles of impeachment against Bush and demanded that they be read into the record in full, taking up two nights of House floor time to do so. After the House voted to refer the articles to the Judiciary Committee, Kucinich vowed that he would come back in 30 days with 60 articles of impeachment if no hearings were held.

Judiciary has done nothing on the subject in the ensuing month, though Kucinich does appear to have scaled down his plans, as he is only introducing one article instead of the promised 60. By again using a privileged resolution to bring impeachment to the floor, Kucinich is ensuring that the House will have to deal with his measure within two legislative days.

Democratic leaders have made clear that they do not want impeachment proceedings against Bush to move in the House, particularly since he only has six months left in office. Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) has generally stayed quiet on the topic but has given no indication that he plans to have his panel address the issue soon.

Kucinich's full "Dear Colleague" letter is after the jump.

Dear Colleague,

During the Fourth of July holiday a WWII veteran stood ram-rod straight in his crisp dress uniform and saluted our flag as it passed in a parade. His silent reverential stance was a powerful reminder of the love of country that is reflected in our veterans of all generations and all services.

It is also a powerful reminder of the responsibilities of the President of the Untied States in his capacity as Commander in Chief.

It is worse than heartbreaking that George W. Bush, as Commander in Chief, caused this country to go to war based on information which was false, and which he knew to be false. The consequences for our troops have been devastating. We have lost 4,116 of our beloved servicemen and women since the war began, with over 30,000 physically wounded and countless others emotionally wounded. The toll on the service persons and their families will be felt throughout their lives.

There can be no greater responsibility of a Commander in Chief than to command based on facts on the ground, and to command in fact and in truth. There can be no greater offense of a Commander in Chief than to misrepresent a cause of war and to send our brave men and women into harm's way based on those misrepresentations.

There has been a breach of faith between the Commander in Chief and the troops. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 or with Al Qaeda's role in 9/11. Iraq had neither the intention nor the capability of attacking the United States. Iraq did not have weapons of Mass of Destruction. Yet George W. Bush took our troops to war under all of these false assumptions. Given the profound and irreversible consequences to our troops, if his decision was the result of a mistake, he must be impeached. Since his decision was based on lies, impeachment as a remedy falls short, but represents at least some effort on our part to demonstrate our concern about the sacrifices our troops have made.

This Thursday evening I will bring a privileged resolution to the House with a single Article of Impeachment of President Bush for taking our nation and our troops to war based on lies. We owe it to our troops who even at this hour stand as sentinels of America because they love this country and will give their lives for it. What are we willing to do to match their valor and the valor of their successors? Are we at least willing to defend the Constitution from the comfort and security of our Washington, DC offices?

Sincerely,

/s/

Dennis J. Kucinich

Member of Congress

~ Capitol Briefing ~