Tue
May 22 2007
09:23 pm
Hands Off Policy
By: Andy Axel


Senator Pilate (D-NV) delivers the Democratic response to the Bush veto threat: "We're out."

The Senate majority in action:

Flinching in the face of a veto threat, Democratic congressional leaders neared agreement with the Bush administration Tuesday on legislation to pay for the Iraq war without a troop withdrawal timeline.

Several officials said the emerging compromise would cost about $120 billion, including as much as $8 billion for Democratic domestic priorities — originally resisted by the White House — such as disaster relief for Hurricane Katrina victims and farmers hurt by drought.

After a bruising veto struggle over the war, congressional leaders in both political parties said they hoped the compromise would be cleared for President Bush's signature by Friday.

In power less than five months, Democrats swiftly vowed to renew their challenge to Bush's war policies this summer.

"We're going to continue our battle — and that's what it is — to represent the American people like they want us to represent them, to change the course of the war in Iraq," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Gee, I wonder why Congressional approval ratings are lagging behind the president's... hm... hm...

I see that I got my "YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS CRITICAL TO OUR NEXT 60 DAYS" notice from the Hillary Clinton campaign today.

[shred]

UPDATE: The blank check passes the Senate, 80-14. Sources indicate that Clinton and Obama both voted "no."

Topics:
rocketsquirrel's picture

response

Submitted by rocketsquirrel on Tue, 2007/05/22 - 9:41pm.

From

"Give 'em Hell, Harry" to

"Go to Hell, Harry."

Our soldiers deserve better. How do you ask the last man to die for a tragic mistake?

Andy Axel's picture

Ask Senator Kerry.

Submitted by Andy Axel on Tue, 2007/05/22 - 10:00pm.

Ask Senator Kerry. Maybe he has an idea now.

____________________________

"Some days I'm afraid I'll go berserk, rip the Elvis Costello mobile down from the ceiling, throw the "Country Artists (Male) A-K" rack out into the street, go off to work at a Virgin Megastore, and never look back."

Factchecker's picture

If they feel they're

Submitted by Factchecker on Tue, 2007/05/22 - 11:02pm.

If they feel they're tactically forced to do this for the moment (big if), I wonder why they can't put a signing statement on the bill that explains why the money is being allocated to Iraq (at the Prez's request), that they are releasing the funds under protest, and that in signing the bill the Executive branch shall accept full responsibility for consequences resulting in how the Iraq portion is spent?

Not that that would save American lives that deserve to be redeployed right now. A shame.

R. Neal's picture

This is pretty bad. They are

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2007/05/23 - 7:58am.

This is pretty bad. They are trading American soldiers' lives for political safety and cover while throwing principles out the window.

What they should do is say hey, we sent the President a funding bill and instructions from Congress and the American people to end this thing. He vetoed it. We guess he doesn't want the funding or to end it, so we aren't sending another bill or any more funding. He had his chance. We're moving on to raising the minimum wage and tackling the health care crisis.

Factchecker's picture

so we aren't sending another

Submitted by Factchecker on Wed, 2007/05/23 - 8:49am.

so we aren't sending another bill or any more funding. He had his chance. We're moving on

I like that better.

Andy Axel's picture

bump & update: Senate vote

Submitted by Andy Axel on Thu, 2007/05/24 - 9:04pm.

bump & update:

Senate vote is final. Passed 80-14.

____________________________

Am I the only solipsist here?

Andy Axel's picture

The 14: Boxer (D-CA) Burr

Submitted by Andy Axel on Thu, 2007/05/24 - 11:53pm.

The 14:

Boxer (D-CA)
Burr (R-NC)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coburn (R-OK)
Dodd (D-CT)
Enzi (R-WY)
Feingold (D-WI)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Obama (D-IL)
Sanders (I-VT)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

____________________________

Am I the only solipsist here?

R. Neal's picture

Clinton and Obama waited

Submitted by R. Neal on Fri, 2007/05/25 - 6:56am.

Clinton and Obama waited until it already had enough votes to pass before casting their 'no' votes.

On anoher note, I have decided it may be time for term limits in Congress. I used to be opposed to the idea, but not so much any more.

Factchecker's picture

Just like a liberal

Submitted by Factchecker on Fri, 2007/05/25 - 12:27pm.

You were against them before you were for them.

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