I was delighted to read that the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly to repeal the now-unnecessary 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force that purported to legitimize the invasion of Iraq ("Rare debate over presidential war powers," June 18). I was doubly satisfied that 49 Republicans voted to repeal, along with nearly all Democratic representatives.

A companion bill (S.J. Res. 10) in the Senate also has bipartisan support. The story quoted Sen. Ted Cruz as saying that even he is for Congress asserting its war powers.

I am pleased that Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith became a cosponsor recently but disappointed that Sen. Amy Klobuchar has not yet co-sponsored this common-sense resolution. As policy, the American war against Iraq has been won and is over. President Joe Biden has indicated that he would sign the repeal. The bill is exactly the kind of bipartisan effort that Klobuchar champions. I hope she adds her name to the resolution soon and that it passes the Senate and is signed by the president without delay.

Paul Landskroener, Minneapolis

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While my political views are not always aligned with Klobuchar's, I find her to be thoughtful, fair-minded and intelligent. I think she represents the state of Minnesota well, if not perfectly for me.

Yet, when I read that she was in favor of getting rid of the filibuster in order to pass much of Biden's agenda, starting with H.R. 1, I had to shake my head.

When one of the clear leaders of the Senate becomes so overtly partisan and flips on an issue of import simply to get legislation passed that otherwise would not, you have to ask, have we lost our way?

We have a problem when our elected representatives view every issue along purely partisan lines, which is exactly the reason why the filibuster must be maintained.

Mark Hayes, Chanhassen

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After losing the opportunity to simply debate the worthiness of voting rights under the For the People Act, with negative votes from 100% of Senate Republicans, it has become inarguably clear that Biden's admirable goal of bipartisan governance is gravely unreasonable at this time — its priority being an actual danger to our future democracy. Under Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's unambiguous refusal to bring to vote Democratic bills, as well as the very clear behavior and individual statements of their own representatives and senators, Republicans have virtually rubbed Democratic noses in what they judge to be the stupidity of bipartisanship. It is essential to recognize this reality and fight back with every ounce of principled strength we have as believers in democracy. As comfortable as he may feel in relentlessly walking the high road, Biden's presidency will be for naught if he cannot walk the high road without insisting on presenting as the nice guy. The Democratic Party must forget about tilting at the windmills of bipartisanship today and get down to the nitty-gritty work required to bring forth the fruits of ethical governance.

As difficult as it has been for the Minnesota Legislature to agree on anything, it recently announced a deal to spend $250 million on bonuses for front-line workers ("Legislative deal boosts K-12 by $1.2B," June 23).

As well intentioned as it plainly is, this plan would be fraught with unintended consequences. The disbursers would be bogged down for years trying to make this effort equitable and just. The legislators may have just as much success making people happy, disappointed and angry if they load cargo planes with the 2.5 million hundred-dollar bills that this sum represents, fly low and let the bills scatter over the state.

The number of our fellow citizens who are not in stable or permanent housing is growing. A new encampment of people experiencing homelessness at the former Perkins at Riverside and Interstate 94 in Minneapolis brings into focus a more sensible option for the money: Dedicate it to help end the homeless crisis in Minnesota. The public and nonprofit organizations that work with this population would be thrilled to help convert this probable fiasco into a win-win situation for our society.

The $250 million will not end the homeless problem, but this large sum of money would be a huge boost to current efforts and programs that are already working to make Minnesota a better place to live for all, reinforcing a floor in our society that no one ought to fall below.

Richard Cousins, Edina

I am discouraged by many of the comments I read on social media and in the newspaper regarding disagreements over a part-time or full-time Legislature. The preponderance appears to focus on the financial costs. While that is an issue, it is not the only one and not necessarily the most important issue.

To me, one of the most important issues ought to be the quality of our legislators. Years ago, when I was more active in local politics, I found it discouraging while door-knocking that so many residents blew off a coming election with intensely derogatory comments, mostly about perceived reasons an individual was running for elected office. They are all crooks, I was told, out for what they can get for themselves and on an ego trip. All politics is corrupt, I am now told over and over again. The parties are incompetent, the candidate will vote for whoever funds their campaign. The letters and mail, focusing so frequently on the money issues, tend to suggest nothing much has changed, and 20% of eligible Minnesota voters didn't bother to vote in the last presidential election.

Folks, we live in a democratic republic. We have an individual responsibility to pay attention to candidates, to decide, and then to vote. That comes with residency. We should stop letting party leaders decide for us. We should stop electing representatives who only vote no.

Carl Brookins, Roseville

Regarding editorial cartoonist Steve Sack's "communion bouncer" cartoon: It's fantastic that the Catholic Church is finally calling out politicians for blatant, deliberate denial of Catholic tenets. President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi enable and encourage serial murder of innocent babies.

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Biden, who used to vote pro-life, has switched his views to go along with the Democratic Party's abortion views. He would not have been a candidate for the Democrats unless he went with the flow of the party. He has betrayed his own conscience as a Catholic and his Catholic faith in going along with the left's "choice" advocates.

How could the author of "Bishops betray a faithful president" (Opinion Exchange, June 22) suggest that the Catholic bishops are betraying Biden? They are in fact being true to their conscience and to the tenets of the Catholic Church. They are defending life as sacred, as a gift of God, and the unborn as a unique person who deserves to be defended as a person!

I have always wondered why people take issue with the Catholic Church because of certain issues they don't like about the church. Everybody wants the church to reflect themselves, not the hard teachings that Jesus taught. The church isn't a convenient reflection of our culture, thank God! Jesus said the way is narrow, not wide and open to whatever suits you. Even though my faith brings me great joy, it's not always easy to be faithful. I accept that.

Mary Claassen, Mendota Heights