Senate vote on troop surge may not happen

Posted: Friday, February 02, 2007 4:31 PM by Elizabeth Wilner
Filed Under: Congress, Security

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Senate Republican leaders are now saying they will block next week's Iraq debate with a procedural vote on Monday afternoon. Unless an agreement is reached between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell before Monday at 5:30 pm, it's unlikely that there will be any votes on any resolutions.

Republican leaders say Democrats have yet to give them assurances that they'll be able to have votes on resolutions they prefer which support the President's Iraq strategy. Democratic leaders say they've made various offers. Obviously the two sides can't reach an agreement.

The Monday vote, called the "motion to proceed to the bill," will require 60 votes to pass. And McConnell's declaration that all 49 Republicans will vote AGAINST it would kill any votes on the measures. McConnell made a point of saying that even Sen. John Warner (R), who opposes the troop increase, will vote with his party.

Democrats quickly accused Republicans of filibustering. "They have already rejected three compromises that would permit the Senate to vote on the President's plan," Reid said today in a written statement. "This obstruction is an abdication of their responsibility to the American people on the most important issue facing our nation today." But McConnell said today at a news conference that his caucus is "using procedure to ensure a fair process."

Stay tuned, as negotiations will continue into the weekend.

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Comments

How amusing. Weren't these the same Republicans who were all over the Dems for trying to stop Bush's judicial nominees from getting voted on? How the tables have turned...

Carrie, NW Iowa (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 5:16 PM)

The GOP has reserved their tickets on the Titanic and nobody is going to talk them out of out of sailing away, with the American Public down in steerage.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 5:17 PM)

Filibuster/Democrats/BAD- Filibuster/Republicans/GOOD!

Aimee, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 5:30 PM)

Ha! What goes around comes around. Do the dims not remmember all the stalling and filibustering they did when they were in the minority?

gini bruce (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 5:58 PM)

Where is the Gang of 14 when you need them?Oh, one of them did not get re-elected.

Desmond (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:02 PM)

The congressional GOP...still working hard at doing nothing! Pathetic!

Roger (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:30 PM)

Same old crap, where is the reaching across party lines to get resolution? We are going nowhere but down with this administration and Congress (regardless of who is in power).

Jeremy Kobler, Kansas City, MO (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:40 PM)

What comes around....goes around. The Dims were geat at making such a big deal of saying that the filibuster was their right and that they were doing the right thing....but hmmmm.....when the shoe is on the other foot they suddently don't like it???? Oh well, it hurts when your own game gets played on you!!

Chris, Oceanside, CA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:44 PM)

this is a fight not between the Dems and Repubs but between two factions in what is left (so to speak) of the Republican leadership. Warner will use this as a power play to rid himself of McConnell and other Bush back-benchers. Expect there to be some compromise with Warner but not with McConnell early next week on the issue, enough to get the 60 votes to close debate. Warner won't make that call until he's assured of getting the 9 votes.

Don Cooper (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:50 PM)

Let them filibuster. Doing that is basically going on record as supporting the surge. The public is against the surge. Dems will probably pick up another 2-3 Senate seats and 20 more House seats come 2008. How does a 54-46 advantage in the Senate and 240-190 advantage in the House sound? Those are my predictions. The Democractic party will be in power for decades to come because of this fake war.

Jack, Dallas Texas (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 6:55 PM)

Republican COWARDS!!!! Power aqnd Greed that's what they're all about. Wake up people

Glo (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 7:06 PM)

Too bad for the politics of fighting a war. If Democrats really want to stop the Iraq War, they would vote on a bill that stops funding the war. Instead they want this non-binding bill that does nothing except demoralize the troops and embolden the enemy and pander to the peaceniks.

wesley, boston, ma (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 7:22 PM)

These GOP senators who vote to block this AND are up for re-election in 2008 are writing their ticket out of DC early. How awful it is that they are playing politics with the lives of our brave soldiers and ignoring mounting evidence that a surge in troops is exactly what we shouldn't be doing right now. Iraq will KILL the GOP come 2008. Be prepared for a Democratic president AND more Democratic gains in both houses 2 years from now. Then, maybe we can get something constructive done, rather than wallowing in a failing strategy and sacrificing our troops in the vain effort of saving one idiot's legacy.

Chris, Portland OR (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 7:23 PM)

And do the Repugs not remember all the whining and threatening they did when they were in the majority and the Democrats were trying to filibuster? Guess for the GOP it's a matter of "Do as we say, not as we do."

Luna, Indiana (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 7:24 PM)

So the "Motion to Proceed to the Bill" should be deemed THE vote on the escalation of the war. Let all the Republicans then go on record as opposing any vote against the President's escalation of the war.

Lilly (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 7:29 PM)

It's a non binding resolution and is only intented to cover some political rear ends. It doesn't mean a thing.

Robert Billett (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 7:47 PM)

If it had gone through, it would have been too little, too late. As it is, when the dust settles, President Bush and the neo cons will have gotten their way. Considering that only 30 percent of Americans support the current pro war agenda, it makes one wonder if the Democrats are truly serious about winding down the war in Iraq. If both parties continue to pay little more than lip service to the will of the people, this might spur the development of an independent and/or third party movement.

Fred Dungan, Riverside, CA (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 8:57 PM)

Our country is in the hands of fools. God we need Washington to disappear.

Terry (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 9:19 PM)

It is truly sad, but hardly surprising how cowardly Republicans in the Senate are acting. While these Senators blindly support this failed policy, brave American sodliers are dying...sickening.

Devin Leonard, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 9:38 PM)

Now the shoe is on which foot? The squawker from Searchlight, NV makes wild-eyed charges of obstruction versus the opposition's assertions of procedural fairness. Apparently, Dirty Harry does not enjoy having done to him what he doeth-unto-others. Maybe the pugnacious little banty rooster will take off his 2 ounce mittens and smite someone on the ankles. He more accurately resembles Yosemite Sam, shooting off his mouth and his six-GUMs.

Hi Larious (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 9:58 PM)

Remember this the next time some repugnant republican cretin accuses a Democrat of "partisanship". Each and every vile one of them must think they are quite clever, playing procedural games while they destroy the country. There is a special place in hell being preheated for Mitch McConnell, Shrub, Cheney and everyone without the guts to stand on the floors of congress and call for their ouster.

Jim, Denver, Colorodo (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:14 PM)

Payback's a bith, ain't it Harry "the Body" Reid? YOu were ready to live by the filibuster when you blocked a variety of Bush appointments on pure ideological grounds, so now you die by the filibuster (which at least in this case is on legislation, which has precedent).

Her Thighness, Hillary Rotten Clinton, Chicago, Little Rock, DC, NY (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 10:19 PM)

Well it looks as if the Dictator in the White House will once more hide behind his lackeys in the senate, much as he has done in the years since his invasion of Iraq for political and personal reasons! One day closer to martial law in this once free nation! All you Bush apoligists go ahead and attack me now, have fun and try to explain once again how you think he is the greatest dictator we have ever had!

Blacksheep, Pope County, Ar. (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:04 PM)

what do the democrats propose we do in Iraq? i have yet to hear a counter plan to remaining and seeing this fledging democracy through. i've heard nothing but critical babble about how the president is blowing this or blowing that...offer a solution or another course of action!!! if not shut up and let us do the job without the hypocritical bulls**t that keeps coming from the dems...we are after all trying to establish another democracy in the world...

john stedman, lincoln park, michigan (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:07 PM)

HOW Disgusting!!!There was NO DEBATE leading up to THE WAR and now republicans don't want any now either

JenniferCoral Springs Fl (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:30 PM)

Go ahead with the resolution, however watered down. But vote to cut funding next month when you vote on appropriations. PLEASE.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Friday, February 02, 2007 11:52 PM)

What's the difference between the Republican Party and the Titanic? The Titanic had an orchestra...

Tim. Seattle, WA (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:44 AM)

If the GOP continue loving the GOP party rather than the great USA, I am switching party before the year ends.

hwdding (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 1:07 AM)

Oh yes a vote on a non binding resolution is the same as holding up an up or down vote on judges. The lefty's will try to trot that old dog out and I am sure the MSM will all too willing to try and make the same comparison.

rich (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 3:00 AM)

Frankly, the Senate is just being the Senate. After 6 years of a Dictatorship, I am kind of glad it is back to gooey and impractical. As far as the War goes, none of the non-binding stuff is worth a nickle anyhow. Cut funding or cut bait. Cheney whom I can hardly stand is probably right about how long the problem will exist, 3-4 administrations more. That is because we have opened this mess and got it all over us. What makes us think that when we stop fighting, the enemy will stop too and not press an advantage? The resolution is a loser in any form. What the D's have accomplished is backing down incrementally. Pushing back would be to out R the R's and change all of the fillibuster rules to 51 votes and totally jam them. Of course that would destroy the Senate. I don't know where Mr Reid of Nevada was going with all of this, but He looks weak to me. Well, at least we have a Republic again, and Cheney isn't hiding in Congressional offices dictating legislation for buddies.

Kraven D. Truth Plumtuckered Arkansas (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 3:00 AM)

It’s to bad the republican priority is to KILL as many servicemen as possible on this useless war.

Paul,Edgewater, FL (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 9:44 AM)

Darth Cheney and The Emperor stay the course, Congress plays with itself, and America's best keep dieing. About an hour ago 105 more Iraqis explode all over the 275 who were maimed. My Country is rudderless or worse yet there is a madman at the helm. In response the ships officers intend to write a strongly worded letter just as soon as they can agree on the proper wording so as not to offend the Captain. Shame and Disgust! BRING THEM HOME NOW! Consequences? Yep, bad ones. But U.S. troops and their families shouldn’t pay the price. The "leader" responsible for this mess should be man enough to admit it and correct it. We all know that he isn’t. The term Bush League takes on a whole new meaning now. The term Congressional Oversight has become an oxymoron. Checks and balances have ceased to exist.

Gary Schear, Bozeman, Montana (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:20 PM)

"Senate Republican leaders are now saying they will block next week's Iraq debate with a procedural vote on Monday afternoon." The filthy cowards certainly can't afford to let the Peoples' views be heard on the Senate floor. That's for war criminal republicans to tell decent people to "go F!!! yourself" on. Thanks for making America less safe and promoting terrorist recruiment drives, Senate GOP.

! (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:29 PM)

Aimee. Dubya wud spell that GUD. (Or GOD with a couple of those little Scandinavian dots that he really likes, over the O.)

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:44 PM)

gini bruce; Do "YOU" remember all the closed meeting doors in the last 14 years? (Trent Lott, Newt Gingrich, Bill Frist, Tom Delay, Jack Abernoff, Denie Hasterts,) Energy package, Medicare Reform Prescription Medicine. Remener how Max Cleland of GA. got defeated by Saxby Chambliss by calling him not being loyal to the president. Remember the min. wage law that is loaded down with business tax breaks. (111 tax breaks) Tax breaks broke this country. Remember before the Reagan tax give aways that after a period of time collapsed the housing market in 87? The 500 point drop in the market in '87? Do you remember that when Jimmy Carter left office this nation was the largest "CREDITOR" nation in the world and that dissappeared to be replaced by the USA being the largest "DEBTOR" nation. Incidently, didn't that deficit spending lead to just one term for George H. W. Bush (#41). Like father,(#41) like son.(#43) Only he, George W. had Karl Rove to slimmingly save his born again crusading butt, by calling everyone UN-AMERICAN and UNPATRIOTIC for not supporting George W's plan to build that shinning "Colossal 104 sq. mile Embassy" in the Green Zone on the Tigris River in Iraq to protect Israel. (The Green Emerald Embassy)That said, until the nation got tired of slogans, different tactics, decite, lies and no planned exit, now with 3,087 military dead (just now after 1,391 days after "Mission Accomplished") he wants to provide 21,500 more targets to shoot at and then the over $478 Billion dollars that no one can account for to win a unwinable war. Bob. Lipsett Sr.

Bob. Lipsett Sr. North Attleboro, MA.02760-4388 (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 1:50 PM)

When 2/3 of Americans oppose the "SURGE" Republicans are choosing to go "DOWN IN FLAMES" with their President who has nothing to lose. I can not wait for Jan. 2009.

Jim Frego, Capt. US Army (ret) Grants Pass. OR (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 5:19 PM)

gini bruce, what are you talking about? I remember a rubber stamp Roman Senate that SHOULD have been filibustering a criminal enterprise in Iraq. The desperation on the right is palpable.

! (Sent Saturday, February 03, 2007 8:29 PM)

"The king is in the counting house....."

catwoman, Chico, CA (Sent Sunday, February 04, 2007 10:32 AM)

No kidding, can you say Democratic shoo-in in '08? ANY Democratic for President, that's the candidate for 70% of Americans at this point.

Amy B Portand, Maine (Sent Sunday, February 04, 2007 4:29 PM)

The non binding resolution is the first step in a process of the Congress standing up for itself as a co-equal branch of government. You start here and keep pushing back until we retake our country from the Lords of The Manor wanna be's

James J Breitfeller, Richfield MN (Sent Sunday, February 04, 2007 8:07 PM)

Did anyone else see senator McCain on CNN afew days before the president made the 21,500 troop buildup offisial. His comment then wasw that after interviewing troops, commanders, retire genaerals and anyone he could talk too his opinion was that sending only 21000 troops was worse than doing nothing. He wanted a lot more troops sent in or the plan would not work. Now he is suddenly with the President. It,s appalling that someone so highly thought of by most people in this country can,t even stick to his opinion for a whole week. I personnaly find it disturbing at can,t understand why those opposed to the buildup don,t even mention it. Maybe they are all too busy trying to figure out there own stand to pay attention.

Phil Brink, Lompoc Ca (Sent Monday, February 05, 2007 1:40 AM)

Interesting that someone can talk about 14 years of closed door meetings during Republican rule of the house,(actually it is 12 years, but who's counting) when the Dems had control over the previous 40. Dems wouldn't even invite Reps to the committee meetings because their attitude was, why bother, you can't do anything anyway. Face it people, the party in charge is the party in charge.

Dan, Michigan (Sent Monday, February 05, 2007 7:59 AM)

Wesley from Boston, Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers." He didn't say anything about warniks. And, it's "Do onto others as you would have them do onto you," not "Do onto others before they do onto you." Humans are generally bad at forecasting.

Peter, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Monday, February 05, 2007 9:24 AM)

Personally I think Cheney and his crew threatened the lives of those GOP members of the Senate...that's why they are going with their Party Lines. They don't want to mysteriously fall ill and dissappear. They are just doing what they need to do in order to keep their jobs. It sux. I can't wait for this administration to be kuput!

Michelle, TR, NJ (Sent Monday, February 05, 2007 9:43 AM)

Michelle......they just threatened to take them on a hunting trip!!!!!!

jt;NE (Sent Monday, February 05, 2007 12:08 PM)

Seems to me the BIG message to the public in this little exercise in which gutless Republikkers must prove that they are expoxied to Bush is that we have to elect about 15 more Democrats to the senate. Republikkers are setting themselves up for a HUGE defeat in '08. They are being given the choice between their own constituents and Bush's childish petulant insisting on having more war toys to play with and they have caved. Wait and see what happens to these immoral dolts. They are on their way to becoming *TOASTF*

M. J. Gee, Glenwood MN (Sent Monday, February 05, 2007 10:49 PM)

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