By Sen. Jim Webb

Two months after it convened, the historic 110th Congress is off to a fast start, fulfilling its promise to improve accountability in government and restore economic fairness to the American people. The Congress is also working to advocate policies that enhance our national security and standing in the international community.

In the Senate, our first two bills involved issues that were central to the American people last fall. First, with respect to accountability, I am a strong believer that government should be open, honest, and responsive to the people it serves. That's why in my first week in the Senate, I became an original co-sponsor of ethics reform legislation to clean up Congress and restore Americans' faith in government. I have actively participated in oversight hearings to ensure that our government serves the people -- not the powerful lobbyists in Washington -- and spends your taxpayer dollars properly.

The Virginia-Pilot editorializes in favor of Sen. Webb's new legislation: 

Surely President Bush wouldn't make up a bond between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaida that didn't exist.

Surely in his run-up-to-war, 2003 State of the Union speech, he wouldn't trumpet debunked claims about Saddam scouting for nuclear material in Niger.

Surely he wouldn't authorize secret CIA prisons with "alternative" interrogation methods or approve the shunting of prisoners to countries skilled in the art of torture.

Surely he wouldn't defy 2006 election results and the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group by intensifying U.S. troop involvement in Iraq.

Surely he wouldn't launch an air strike on Iran without congressional approval.

Having seen so many "surely he wouldn'ts" twist into "yes, he woulds," Sen. Jim Webb is justified in pushing for a clear congressional statement guiding U.S. military involvement in Iran.

Legislation recently introduced by the freshman Democrat from Virginia clarifies that money can't be spent on military operations in Iran without congressional approval. Clearly defined exceptions include thwarting an imminent attack, responding to an actual attack and continuing the "hot pursuit" of hostile forces across the Iraq-Iran border. Nor would the resolution apply to intelligence gathering or tactical operations in international waters off Iran's coast.

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On Sunday, March 11th, Senator Jim Webb appeared on ABC's "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos to discuss his legislation prohibiting funding for military operations in Iran without Congressional approval, Iraq, Walter Reed and other issues. 

Click here to watch video of Sen. Webb's appearance.

The Roanoke Times endorses Senator Webb's bill requiring President Bush to obtain Congressional approval before invading Iran:

President Bush needs to holster his guns before he leads America into another unprovoked war. Virginia's freshman senator, Jim Webb, on Tuesday offered legislation that clearly tells Bush that he cannot invade Iran without congressional approval.

This should go without saying. However, Bush has clearly demonstrated a pattern of blowing holes into the Constitution to justify his distorted theories of executive power.

"This presidency has shot from the hip too many times for us to be able to trust it to act on its own," Webb said.

[...]

Webb's resolution begins to restore the balance of power, but it does not strip from the president the needed ability to plan military operations and to protect the U.S. and its allies from attack. Bush could still use force to repel an attack launched from Iran and to respond to actual or planned attacks begun elsewhere that spill over into Iran.

What Bush could not do is launch an pre-emptive war on Iran without congressional approval.

Technically, he can't now; Webb's resolution would make sure even Bush knows this.

It's forceful language for a president who understands only force.

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