Democrats Likely to Sideline Iraq Pullout Vote [View All]

[babylonsister]

Seems their 'recess' might be getting in the way of a critical agenda.


Democrats Likely to Sideline Iraq Pullout Vote
Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2007-07-31 15:55. Activism

By John M. Donnelly, CQ Today

The House is unlikely to vote this week on a measure that would require U.S. combat troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq, lawmakers and aides said Monday.

If the vote does not happen, Congress will in all likelihood wait until September before taking another legislative shot at pressuring the administration to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq.

Although a final decision had not been made, Democratic leaders believe the cost of taking up such a measure this week — a likely clash with Republicans that could endanger the rest of the Democrats’ pre-recess agenda — outweighs any advantages.

The proposed amendment to the fiscal 2008 Defense appropriations bill (HR 3222), by John P. Murtha, D-Pa., chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, would require a troop withdrawal to start in 60 days but would not specify when the withdrawal must be completed.

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http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/25284