Filibuster
Since the American people put Democrats back in charge of Congress, the Republican minority has resorted to obstructionism and political games to block any responsible progress toward ending the war in Iraq. Now they have refused to even allow a vote on bringing the troops home.
For the first six years of Bush’s presidency, the Republican majority in Congress failed this country. They had their chance to make their case to continue the war in Iraq, and the American people didn’t buy it.
The Levin-Reed amendment sets a date to begin bring the troops home. Instead of standing up in front of the American people and showing them their determination to stay in Iraq, they’ve made good on a threat to block the vote. Only four Republican Senators voted with Democrats to allow the bill to come up for a vote.
Republicans loyal to Bush blocked the bill even though a similar version passed in the House by a 223-201 margin last week. Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that we need to give the troop escalation time because it is beginning to “show signs of military success.” This is the same song and dance we’ve heard for nearly five years.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said: “Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end. They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops.
“They are denying us an up or down vote on the most important issue our country faces. I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down.”
If Senate Republicans are against ending the war, then they should show it by voting against the legislation with a straight-up-and-down vote on a bill that the majority of Americans support. That’s how a democratic government works. Democrats must continue to force them to explain themselves in front of the American people.
A few Republicans have started to say the right things, but we don’t know whether they actually have the backbone to stand with the American people and vote to bring our troops home. A threat of a filibuster gives them all the cover they need to avoid a commitment.
For the first six years of Bush’s presidency, the Republican majority in Congress failed this country. They had their chance to make their case to continue the war in Iraq, and the American people didn’t buy it.
The Levin-Reed amendment sets a date to begin bring the troops home. Instead of standing up in front of the American people and showing them their determination to stay in Iraq, they’ve made good on a threat to block the vote. Only four Republican Senators voted with Democrats to allow the bill to come up for a vote.
Republicans loyal to Bush blocked the bill even though a similar version passed in the House by a 223-201 margin last week. Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that we need to give the troop escalation time because it is beginning to “show signs of military success.” This is the same song and dance we’ve heard for nearly five years.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said: “Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end. They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops.
“They are denying us an up or down vote on the most important issue our country faces. I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down.”
If Senate Republicans are against ending the war, then they should show it by voting against the legislation with a straight-up-and-down vote on a bill that the majority of Americans support. That’s how a democratic government works. Democrats must continue to force them to explain themselves in front of the American people.
A few Republicans have started to say the right things, but we don’t know whether they actually have the backbone to stand with the American people and vote to bring our troops home. A threat of a filibuster gives them all the cover they need to avoid a commitment.
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