Tag Archives: Senate

Senate Republicans block funding for U.S. troops

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I find it really amazing how every time either Bush vetoes or Republicans block funding for the war, the Democrats get labeled as “not supporting the troops.” So, trying to give them $50 billion that was requested is “not supporting” them? Simply because the bill had stipulations on troops coming home, Republicans voted against it.

Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a $50 billion bill by Democrats that would have paid for several months of combat but also would have ordered troop withdrawals from Iraq to begin within 30 days. The measure, narrowly passed this week by the House, also would have set a goal of ending combat in December 2008.

The 53-45 vote was seven votes short of the 60 needed to advance. It came minutes after the Senate rejected a Republican proposal to pay for the Iraq war with no strings attached.

Now, Democratic leaders say they won't send President Bush a war spending bill this year. They calculate the military has enough money to run through mid-February.

Their logic would send Spock into a fit.

“This is highly ridiculous Captain.”

Bush in the Box

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Bush Surprises Senate Aides With Unexpected Interruption of White House Meeting

President Bush shocked Capitol Hill staffers and Republican leaders Monday when he crashed a meeting at the White House to deliver a blunt message that he wasn’t backing down on Iraq and Republicans need to understand that.

“It was stunning,” said one GOP aide who attended the meeting. “We couldn’t believe he came in.”

“We kept looking at each other, amazed he came in,” said another Republican aide.

Bush was described as folksy, adamant and mildly profane as he interrupted the meeting between senior White House communications staffers Tony Snow and Ed Gillespie and GOP leaders. His message: the policy on Iraq isn’t changing. He is not backing down and no one on Capitol Hill should be confused into thinking he is letting up.

The interruption precedes what is expected to be an all-nighter in the Senate on Tuesday, ordered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as a way to protest GOP blocking tactics on moves to compel U.S. troop withdrawals from Iraq.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Reid said Iraq is the most important issue facing the United States and attempts to block legislation calling for troops to be withdrawn from Iraq will be met with a hardball response.

Sheesh, somebody call the waaaaaaahmbulance, little Bushy is having a tantrum. I guess he really is the decider, even if he is deciding to not listen to a damn thing the country or Congress says.

Wow.

Politicals tools are not theater.

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I really wish Republicans would stop referring to the Senate Democrats threat of a filibuster and all-night debate on the Iraq War amendment as a “stunt” and “political theater.” It’s not a stunt you retards, it’s part of and a tool of the political process. That’s like calling the President’s veto power or his liberal use of signing statements as “theater.” If you’ve got tools you use them, especially if the opposition won’t listen to reason or welcome serious, open debate on an important issue.