BUSH OFFICIALS SAY CONGRESS IS IRRELEVANT IN IRAQ DECISIONS

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ARMY TIMES - The Bush administration says the 2002 congressional
authorization to go to war in Iraq gives it the authority to conduct
combat operations in Iraq and negotiate far-reaching agreements with the
current Iraqi government without consulting Congress.

The assertion, jointly made by U.S. Ambassador David Satterfield and
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Mary
Beth Long, drew an incredulous reaction from Democrats on a Joint House
committee during a hearing on future U.S. commitments to Iraq.

"It's the view of the administration that as long as there's trouble in
Iraq that you have authorization of this Congress to continue there in
perpetuity and define trouble as you desire?" asked Rep.  Gary Ackerman,
D-N.Y.

"We have authorization to defend the national security of the United
States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq," Satterfield
replied. "The situation in Iraq continues to present a threat to the
United States."

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/03/military_iraqpact_030408w/

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