The biggest political issue in America was the subject of a passionate floor debate during an RA general session.

While agreeing that money spent on the Iraq war is money not being spent on education and health care, delegates debated the phrasing of a resolution calling for an end to the war.

Delegates from the Professional Staff Congress at CUNY argued for language calling for an immediate withdrawal and lobbying Congress to withhold funding.

"Congress just approved $100 billion to continue the war," said PSC President Barbara Bowen, below right. "That is not a move to end the war."

The resolution that ultimately passed calls for a rapid withdrawal but does not seek to end funding. "De-funding the war puts our troops in jeopardy," said Jeff Zahler, above right, of the United Federation of Teachers.

RA delegates voted to endorse a March statement by the AFL-CIO calling on the government to end the war in Iraq and establish a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops.