Reply #13: How Congress Ends Wars [View All]

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http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congendswar.htm

How Congress Ends Wars
It always comes down to money
By Robert Longley, About.com Guide

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Drawing the Purse Strings to End Wars

Since 1970, the United States Congress considered 21 bills intended to restrict or totally cut off funding for U.S. military operations on foreign soil. Of those 21 bills, five were actually enacted, drawing the curtain on further military combat operations in Indochina (Vietnam War), and Somalia in 1993.

In some cases, the funding cutoffs were absolute and applied to specific military operations, like combat. In other cases, continued spending was allowed for limited military purposes, including combat related to the safe withdrawal of U.S. troops and civilians. In a few instances, the funding cutoff was contingent upon certain conditions or events taking place, such as the negotiation of a cease-fire or the release of U.S. prisoners of war.

In November of 1993, Congress passed an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act prohibiting the obligation of additional funds for U.S. military operations in Somalia after March 31, 1994. The amendment carried four conditions under which additional funding could be allowed after the cutoff date: 1.) The money was requested by President George W. Bush, Sr. and approved by Congress. 2.) The money was necessary to protect U.S. civilians. 3.) The money was needed for U.S. combat forces under the command and control of U.S. commanders. 4.) In the event President Bush, Sr. had decided to intensify efforts to have the U.N. deploy additional troops to Somalia to take over ongoing military efforts.

There seem to be three common threads to wars that are eventually ended by the U.S. Congress. First, a majority of the public wants the war ended. Second, the President of the United States believes the war can ultimately be won. And third, Congress ends up having to cut off further funding for the war to end it