Senate Democrats Hang In With Iraq Timeline
The Senate moved a step closer to passing a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq when Democrats on Tuesday defeated an amendment by Thad Cochran (R-MS) that would have removed language from the $122 billion war-funding bill under consideration calling for George W. Bush to begin withdrawing American troops.
The vote was 48-50 on the Cochran amendment and Democrats prevailed in defeating the measure with help from Republicans Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon.
Assisting in the attempt to thwart the will of the American people by essentially voting to keep us in Iraq indefinitely, were Joe Lieberman -- can't we just get rid of the "ID" crap next to his name? -- and Mark I-Want-To-Be-Primaried Pryor of Arkansas, who is up for reelection in 2008.
"Today was a significant step forward in our efforts to change course in Iraq and makes America more secure. With this vote the Senate is giving our troops the resources they need in combat - including a strategy in Iraq worthy of their sacrifices," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). "It is my hope that with this vote now complete, Senate Republicans will not stand in the way of finishing this bill so that we may get these vital funds to our men and women as soon as possible."
While the White House has made clear that George W. Bush will veto any bill passed by the Congress setting a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq, Reid called on the president to listen to the American people and do what's really right for our military men and women.
"The president must change course, and this legislation gives him a chance to do that. It gives him the chance to more effectively fight terrorism and redeploy our troops from a civil war," said Reid. "The American people have asked us to give our troops an effective, successful strategy for victory in Iraq. Both houses of Congress have listened. It is now up to the president to do the same."
Meanwhile, in fighting for his amendment on the Senate floor, Cochran sounded the same old rubber-stamp call that we've heard since the Iraq debacle began.
"It is clear to me that it is in our national interests to support the President's new strategy…," said Cochran. "As Commander in Chief, the President needs our support."
Yes, Bush may "need" Congressional support but, sadly, he's done nothing whatsoever to earn it.
A final vote on the Iraq spending bill, with the withdrawal provision, is expected Wednesday or Thursday.
The vote was 48-50 on the Cochran amendment and Democrats prevailed in defeating the measure with help from Republicans Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon.
Assisting in the attempt to thwart the will of the American people by essentially voting to keep us in Iraq indefinitely, were Joe Lieberman -- can't we just get rid of the "ID" crap next to his name? -- and Mark I-Want-To-Be-Primaried Pryor of Arkansas, who is up for reelection in 2008.
"Today was a significant step forward in our efforts to change course in Iraq and makes America more secure. With this vote the Senate is giving our troops the resources they need in combat - including a strategy in Iraq worthy of their sacrifices," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). "It is my hope that with this vote now complete, Senate Republicans will not stand in the way of finishing this bill so that we may get these vital funds to our men and women as soon as possible."
While the White House has made clear that George W. Bush will veto any bill passed by the Congress setting a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq, Reid called on the president to listen to the American people and do what's really right for our military men and women.
"The president must change course, and this legislation gives him a chance to do that. It gives him the chance to more effectively fight terrorism and redeploy our troops from a civil war," said Reid. "The American people have asked us to give our troops an effective, successful strategy for victory in Iraq. Both houses of Congress have listened. It is now up to the president to do the same."
Meanwhile, in fighting for his amendment on the Senate floor, Cochran sounded the same old rubber-stamp call that we've heard since the Iraq debacle began.
"It is clear to me that it is in our national interests to support the President's new strategy…," said Cochran. "As Commander in Chief, the President needs our support."
Yes, Bush may "need" Congressional support but, sadly, he's done nothing whatsoever to earn it.
A final vote on the Iraq spending bill, with the withdrawal provision, is expected Wednesday or Thursday.
posted by Bob Geiger at 3/28/2007 08:41:00 AM
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