Get Out Now!
House Republicans are forcing a vote today on whether or not troops should immediately withdrawal from Iraq. Sure it's a sham vote, designed to embarrass Democrats. But, at least Congress will vote on ending the war in Iraq!
UPDATE:
5:25 - They're debating it on CSPAN right now. Great stuff!
6:06 - The House approved the amendment agreeing to call up the Iraq amendment, along party lines. Democrats opposed the amendment because they want a real debate on the issue, not a publicity stunt. This means the House will have a one-hour debate on the amendment sometime tonight. Judging by the pre-debate debate, the amendment will overwhelmingly fail. It reads "Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the deployment of United States forces in Iraq be terminated immediately. " No one (ok, few people) support withdrawing troops literally tomorrow without a plan.
6:33 - The House is taking a short break (not sure how long). When they return they will debate the rule for debating the Iraq amendment (fun!) and then debate and vote on the Iraq amendment. So, tune into CSPAN in a little while. You can also watch it online.
7:50 - The debate is on! Rep. Murtha just called the "rule" surrounding the debate over the Iraq amendment a "martial law" rule because it prevents the amendment from being amended. He called for an immediate end to the war in Iraq.
8:20 - Rep. Watt, speaking on behalf of the 42-member Congressional Black Caucus, says the U.S. should withdrawl from Iraq as soon as possible. Assuming they vote for the Iraq amendment that's at least 42 votes for getting out now.
8:50 - In the best speech yet, a Congressman (not sure who) read several quotes from George W. Bush from when he ran for president. Bush was demanding that Clinton lay out an exit strategy for leaving Serbia and that he tell Americans how long our troops would be there. The Congressman then said Bush should do what he asked Clinton to do. Awesome!
9:17 - Rep. Pelosi just spoke. She said the Iraq amendment should be rejected because it's a publicity stunt. This is true. Of course, it's also true that Democrats are too afraid to vote for the amendment. So, "Republicans are just playing games" is a good way to duck their responsibility. I'll be surprised if anyone votes for this amendment. At least it provoked a debate.
9:18 - They're voting on adopting the rule for debate right now. I think the amendment might be tied to the rule. A vote for the rule is a vote against the amendment. I actually have to run out...but I'll put up the vote tomorrow.
Saturday - Final vote (you have probably heard in the news already) was 3 to 403, with 6 Representatives voting "present" and 22 not voting. The three courageous Representatives are Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA/4th), Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY/16th), and Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL/19th). Rep. Ron Paul didn't vote. Full story here.
UPDATE:
5:25 - They're debating it on CSPAN right now. Great stuff!
6:06 - The House approved the amendment agreeing to call up the Iraq amendment, along party lines. Democrats opposed the amendment because they want a real debate on the issue, not a publicity stunt. This means the House will have a one-hour debate on the amendment sometime tonight. Judging by the pre-debate debate, the amendment will overwhelmingly fail. It reads "Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the deployment of United States forces in Iraq be terminated immediately. " No one (ok, few people) support withdrawing troops literally tomorrow without a plan.
6:33 - The House is taking a short break (not sure how long). When they return they will debate the rule for debating the Iraq amendment (fun!) and then debate and vote on the Iraq amendment. So, tune into CSPAN in a little while. You can also watch it online.
7:50 - The debate is on! Rep. Murtha just called the "rule" surrounding the debate over the Iraq amendment a "martial law" rule because it prevents the amendment from being amended. He called for an immediate end to the war in Iraq.
8:20 - Rep. Watt, speaking on behalf of the 42-member Congressional Black Caucus, says the U.S. should withdrawl from Iraq as soon as possible. Assuming they vote for the Iraq amendment that's at least 42 votes for getting out now.
8:50 - In the best speech yet, a Congressman (not sure who) read several quotes from George W. Bush from when he ran for president. Bush was demanding that Clinton lay out an exit strategy for leaving Serbia and that he tell Americans how long our troops would be there. The Congressman then said Bush should do what he asked Clinton to do. Awesome!
9:17 - Rep. Pelosi just spoke. She said the Iraq amendment should be rejected because it's a publicity stunt. This is true. Of course, it's also true that Democrats are too afraid to vote for the amendment. So, "Republicans are just playing games" is a good way to duck their responsibility. I'll be surprised if anyone votes for this amendment. At least it provoked a debate.
9:18 - They're voting on adopting the rule for debate right now. I think the amendment might be tied to the rule. A vote for the rule is a vote against the amendment. I actually have to run out...but I'll put up the vote tomorrow.
Saturday - Final vote (you have probably heard in the news already) was 3 to 403, with 6 Representatives voting "present" and 22 not voting. The three courageous Representatives are Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA/4th), Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY/16th), and Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL/19th). Rep. Ron Paul didn't vote. Full story here.
posted by Cicero @ 11/18/2005
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