By Erich Hiner

(AXcess News) Washington - A congressional resolution introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, pushed House members to debate the war in Afghanistan for the first time since 2001.

The resolution, which was defeated 356-65 on March 10, would have forced President Barack Obama to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by year's end.

The former Cleveland mayor said he wrote the resolution to spark conversation about the war, which he said has been ignored in Congress.

"After eight and half years, it is time this Congress is heard from," Kucinich said. "It is time we claim our responsibility."

Congress has not officially weighed in on the war since it authorized the use of military force in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 attacks, Kucinich said. Since then, lawmakers have let the president conduct the war unquestioned, he said.

"This resolution is about assuring meaningful and open debate," Kucinich said. "This resolution does not seek to usurp our commander-in-chief. It seeks to reset the balance of our constitution."

Although the resolution was defeated, it succeeded in bringing the war into the spotlight. Supporters and opponents debated for more than three hours.

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, supported the resolution because of the war's cost. Paul said the U.S. is "totally bankrupt," but continues to spend billions on the war with no end in sight.

The resolution's opponents said the war is vital to U.S. interests and that pulling out now would be a sign of weakness and a blow to U.S. morale.

Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, voted against Kucinich's resolution.

The U.S. should listen to the advice of its military professionals such as Gen. Stanley McChrystal, head of U.S. operations in Afghanistan, LaTourette said.

"The president is the commander-in-chief, and Gen. McChrystal has stated the mission isn't completed," LaTourette said in a statement. "I don't want any soldier, sailor, airman or marine to be worried that their mission isn't fully supported."

Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said leaving Afghanistan now would unravel the gains made by the ongoing offensive in Kandahar. It also would hand the country back to the Taliban, he said during the debate.

Success is not guaranteed in Afghanistan, but to leave now would ensure the war's failure, Skelton said.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., chairman of the House Republican Conference, said the timing of the resolution and the reasoning behind it are poor.

"It is not supported by the facts and it is unsupportive of our troops," Pence said. "Now is not the time for the United States to second guess our commanders in the field and our commander-in-chief."

The Constitution gives Congress the exclusive power to declare war, but the president may order military units into action without congressional approval.

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Congress can halt military actions after 60 days and must authorize further actions after that time.

Kucinich said the resolution was a way to remind Congress of its powers and the executive branch of who is in charge of the war in Afghanistan. Although he voted for the Afghan war in 2001, Kucinich said that was not permission to continue the war indefinitely.

Kucinich said the war has cost the U.S. almost $250 billion and about 1,000 lives. The yearly cost of the war could help pay for education, health care and housing for thousands of Americans, he said.

Although Kucinich's resolution faced wide opposition, his opponents supported having the debate. Multiple representatives from both parties said they were grateful for the chance to discuss the war.

Source: Scripps Howard Foundation Wire