Republicans Urged Not to Block Iraq Vote

[Breeze54]

Republicans Urged Not to Block Iraq Vote

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-US-Iraq.html

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 5, 2007

Filed at 2:44 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) --

A Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee is cautioning Republicans against blocking a vote Monday on a resolution opposing President Bush's troop increase in Iraq, saying it would be a ''terrible mistake.''

''It's obstructionism,'' said Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. ''This is not tolerable in a situation where it's the
number one topic in the nation, and the Republican party prevents the Senate of the United States from debating.''

But Arizona Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said proponents of the nonbinding, bipartisan resolution were undermining national security.
''This is a vote of no confidence in both the mission and the troops,'' he said.

On the eve of a possible congressional showdown on Iraq strategy, both sides maneuvered to gain support from a handful of senators who will decide the fate of a resolution criticizing Bush's plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

Republican leaders in the Democratic-controlled Senate are working to block a vote on the resolution by Sen. John Warner, R-Va. They insisted that at least two other GOP proposals be considered and that each require 60 votes -- a strategy that could dilute support for Warner's measure and make it tougher for any measure to pass.

One alternate proposal would set benchmark goals for the Iraqi government, while the other seeks to maintain funding for troops in the field.

On Sunday, Feinstein called on Republicans to reconsider their procedural move.

''I think it's a terrible mistake to prevent this debate,'' she said. ''If we can't get this done, you can be sure,
a month or so down the pike, there's going to be much stronger legislation.''

The Senate, where Democrats hold a 51-49 working majority, has tentatively set an early test vote for Monday.

In a bid to attract more GOP support, Warner added a provision pledging to protect money for troops in combat.

That compromise drew the ire of some Democrats who said it leaned too far in endorsing the status quo.

They want to see binding legislation to cap troop levels, force a new vote to authorize the war
or begin bringing troops home.

More at link.....

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I want to see a binding resolution to cap troop levels and begin bringing troops home...NOW!!
:grr:

[Breeze54]

1. Vote @ 5:30pm ET on Warner-Levin bill.

ON THE SENATE FLOOR
LIVE Senate Coverage
The Senate is now in session and holding a discussion on the U.S. policy in Iraq.
Specifically, resolutions relating to Pres. Bush’s plan to increase troop levels in that country.
At 5:30pm ET, a procedural vote on whether or not they should formally move on to debate on the Warner-Levin bill.

LIVE COVERAGE ON C-SPAN2
http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan2_rm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2