Rep. Barbara Lee Introduces Bill That Would Prohibit Permanent U.S. Military Bases in Iraq

Interview with Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., conducted by Melinda Tuhus

California Rep. Barbara Lee -- the only member of Congress to vote against authorizing President Bush to respond militarily to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 -- has initiated two recent actions in the House of Representatives that further solidifies her role as a leading opponent of the Bush administration's foreign policy. Rep. Barbara Lee was nominated in late June for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of an international effort to recognize the work of women around the world who promote peace.

On June 30, Lee introduced a bill that states it is "the policy of the United States not to enter into any base agreements with the government of Iraq that would lead to a permanent United States military presence in Iraq." The bill currently has 41 co-sponsors.

Lee, who co-chairs the Progressive Caucus in the House, is also circulating a letter to her colleagues asking them to sign onto a Resolution of Inquiry into the Downing Street Memo, with the goal of learning "whether steps were being taken by the Bush administration to 'fix' intelligence and facts around a decision to go to war."

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Rep. Lee about these two measures, and the growing opposition to the war in Iraq across the nation and in Congress.

For more information on Lee's work in Congress, call her office at (202) 225-2661 or visit her website at www.house.gov/lee

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