Republicans Block Iraq Withdrawal Measure
Law & Politics
[##_1L|1103546275.jpg|width="180" height="135" alt=""|_##]Republicans on Wednesday made good on their promise to block a Democratic effort to mandate a troop withdrawal from Iraq after an all-night session organized by Democratic leaders to "dramatize" the procedural fight over the measure. The Levin-Reed Amendment, named for the two Democrats who crafted it, would have required that President Bush begin a troop withdrawal within 120 days of the amendment's passage. It would also have set an April 30, 2008, deadline to bring troop levels in Iraq to a "limited presence."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) organized the rare all-night session in an attempt to dramatize the fight between Republicans and Democrats over the amendment.
The amendment, which was attached to the Department of Defense authorization bill, had majority support thanks to several Republicans who backed it. But Republicans used a procedural maneuver available to the minority party to require a 60-vote majority to move the bill forward.
Democrats only mustered 52 votes in favor of invoking cloture, falling short of the 60 required. Forty-seven senators voted against cloture. Reid at first voted in favor of cloture, but changed his vote at the last minute to join Republicans opposing it.
Reid’s vote against cloture allows him to call for another vote on the measure at a time of his choosing, according to spokesman Jim Manley, who said the switch was “only for procedure.”
Reid expressed his disappointment at the outcome shortly after the vote but pledged to keep trying to pass legislation aimed at changing course in Iraq.
"We spent two days showing America that we're not going to back down, that we're going to continue to fight," he said. "How could we possibly shrink from this fight? How could we possibly try to avoid this fight?"
Reid had accused Republicans of obstructionism for blocking a simple-majority up-or-down vote on the amendment. But Republicans defended their maneuver as a standard tool of the minority party.
In a news conference before the all night session began Tuesday, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said that "time after time when the other side was in the minority they also invoked the 60-vote requirement."
Related listings
-
Bush presents a mixed report on Iraq progress
Law & Politics 07/12/2007[##_1L|1118872709.jpg|width="100" height="106" alt=""|_##]Asking for patience with what he called "an ugly war," President George W. Bush on Thursday presented a mixed progress report on Iraq, with some military advances offset by persistent violence...
-
Former surgeon-general attacks Bush
Law & Politics 07/11/2007The first surgeon-general appointed by US President George Bush has accused his Administration of political interference and muzzling him on issues such as embryonic stem cell research.Dr Richard Carmona, a Bush nominee who served from 2002 to 2006, ...
-
Bush Denies Congress Access to Aides
Law & Politics 07/09/2007[##_1L|1324010630.jpg|width="110" height="128" alt=""|_##]President Bush invoked executive privilege Monday to deny requests by Congress for testimony from two former aides about the firings of federal prosecutors. The White House, however, did offer...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .