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David Sirota is a political journalist and nationally syndicated newspaper columnist at Creators Syndicate. David writes about political corruption, globalization and working-class economic issues often ignored by both of America's political parties.

  • May 24, 2007 12:41 PM

    UPDATE: House Dems Vote For Iraq Blank Check; Senate Dems Still Mum on Filibuster

    To update my post earlier today, House Democrats passed the key rule vote - the most important vote, because it deliberately sets the stage to give president Bush a blank check for the Iraq War. The Roll Call vote can be found here. Those Democrats with the courage to vote no were: Waters Harman, Clay, Moore (WI),McNerney, Kucinich and Stark. Democrats not voting were Cardoza, DeGette, Engel, Gutierrez, Jones (OH), Lewis (GA), Oberstar and Shea-Porter. Democrats are expected to deliver speeches tonight on the House floor claiming they oppose giving Bush a blank check because they will be voting against a Republican amendment. The effort, however, is an attempt to confuse voters. Though many Democrats will oppose the GOP amendment, the rule vote deliberately created the situation whereby the GOP is now able to pass the blank check.

    In other news, Sens. Kerry and Leahy are the latest Senate Democrats to issue statements saying they will vote against the blank check in the Senate, but to date not a single senator has indicated they will filibuster. This all happened just as the New York Times put a story on its website announcing that "Americans now view the war in Iraq more negatively than at any time since the war began, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll." UPDATE [1:27PM MST]: House Democrats passed the key rule vote - the most important vote, because it deliberately sets the stage to give president Bush a blank check for the Iraq War. The Roll Call vote can be found here. Those Democrats with the courage to vote no were: Waters Harman, Clay, Moore (WI),McNerney, Kucinich and Stark. Democrats not voting were Cardoza, DeGette, Engel, Gutierrez, Jones (OH), Lewis (GA), Oberstar and Shea-Porter. In other news, Sens. Kerry and Leahy are the latest Senate Democrats to issue statements saying they will vote against the blank check in the Senate, but to date not a single senator has indicated they will filibuster. This all happened just as the New York Times put a story on its website announcing that "Americans now view the war in Iraq more negatively than at any time since the war began, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll." The same poll shows that 82% of Americans want Congress to either attach binding conditions on Iraq War funding, or cut off all funds for the war immediately.

    Posted by David Sirota
    Permalink | Comments (3) | del.icio.us | digg
    Tags: national insecurity, vote alert

Discussion

  • tylin10 [TypeKey Profile Page] :

    My representative, I know, is adamently opposed to the war. He will NOT vote for any bill that fails to include timelines; I have verified that with his office. Yet he did vote "Yea" on the roll call vote you linked to above. Can you make it more clear exactly what that call "Providing for the consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 2206, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007" means? I feel like I took a stupid pill when I try to understand what you are saying here.

    Posted on May 24, 2007 2:26 PM
  • jonkwilliams [TypeKey Profile Page] :

    Why would such progressive heroes as Lee and Woolsey vote yes on this?

    Posted on May 24, 2007 2:42 PM
  • daverobinsonworks [TypeKey Profile Page] :

    I’m taking stupid pills with Tylin – nice to have company but WTF. I don’t understand this “key rule vote”. I do understand the “attempt to confuse voters”. Mission Accomplished.

    I’m at work and can’t take more time to find out what’s going on, but this summary seems key to me (http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2007/05/24/dean_in_alabama_war_funding_bill_holds_bush_accountable/)

    The current funding bill would include a measure setting standards for the Iraqi government to meet in developing a more democratic society. U.S. aid would be tied to progress on meeting the objectives, but Bush would have authority to fund the war regardless of any improvements.

    Democrats have called the agreement a win because it includes new accountability measures for the White House; the GOP claimed victory because of the lack of a schedule for withdrawal.

    Our soldiers are going to be over there forever, that’s what this means to me. The Dems obviously feel our military presence in Iraq is justified and necessary. I wish they’d stop lying and just tell us that bringing the soldiers home is as off the table as impeachment obviously is. With exceptions like the brave souls who are voting no, they are all f-ing liars.

    Happy Memorial Day.

    Bring Our Soldiers Home / No More $ For War / Support Impeachment.

    Dave/Brooklyn

    Posted on May 24, 2007 3:29 PM

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