Peace advocates challenge Rep. Doris Matsui to use "Power of the Purse"

Peace Advocates Urge Rep. Matsui to use the "Power of the Purse"

by John Reiger and Dan Bacher

The Sacramento Coalition to End the War held the first-ever "Power of the Purse" demonstration on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 13 in front of the federal building at 5th & I streets where Representative Doris Matsui has her district office. The purpose of the event - which marked the 26th day of a "peace-in" at her office - was to tell Representative Matsui and the rest of Congress to use their constitutional power of the purse to vote against any additional war funding.

More than two dozen people carried purses, held "Power of the Purse" signs, and chanted anti-war slogans. The protesters came from many local anti-war groups and from other progressive political and community organizations.

Maggie Coulter of Sacramento Peace Action made an impassioned speech about the need to end the occupation and bring our troops home. She noted that Rep. Matsui has signed on only to non-binding resolutions, which are symbolic, and measures – such as HR 787 – which authorizes a troop withdrawal, but also allow the President to stop the redeployment at any point, and would leave an unspecified number of troops in Iraq in the end.

"Congress has the power of the purse strings. It is the one real way it can stop the war. Yet Doris refuses to agree to our lone request – vote against future funding for the war. There are billions already allocated to protect our troops. New funding only extends the war," Coulter said.

Jeff Kravitz , a constitutional lawyer and law school instructor, spoke about Congress’ constitutional power and responsibility concerning war spending. He noted that this Congress, elected by anti-war voters, has not done anything to end the war and bring the troops home. Perhaps they didn’t fully understand that they have the power of the purse, so he proceeded to explain the concept.

After the speeches most of the crowd surged into the building to deliver their purses to Rep. Matsui’s staff person.

(All photos are by John Reiger, Peace and Freedom Party).