Exasperated House bypasses Senate on Iraq

[Robbien]

By Alex Johnson
Reporter
MSNBC
Updated: 5:23 p.m. ET Feb. 6, 2007

WASHINGTON - House leaders got fed up with waiting around for the Senate to act and decided Tuesday to go ahead with their own vote on a resolution opposing President Bush’s plan to add 21,500 U.S. troops in Iraq.

The House vote will go ahead after Republicans blocked debate on a similar resolution Monday in the Senate.

NBC’s Mike Viqueira reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had agreed to a personal request from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to let the Senate go first in recognition of the role that anti-war sentiment played in Democrats’ winning control of the Senate in November.

But with senators unable to agree even on whether to debate the issue, much less vote on a resolution, Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., seized the initiative Tuesday and scheduled a House vote for next week.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17009910/

[villager]

1. Thank God(dess!)

n/t

[goforit]

2. OMG!!!! Now that is chutzpah! A middle finger to the Senate!

[POAS]

9. I think not so much

a finger to the Senate as to the minority holding up the process there!

[superconnected]

3. Finally. Thank you Dems. You are delivering!

[cui bono]

4. Good. It'll pass there. nt

[demo dutch]

5. Dem lead in Senate too small, & Senators are asleep at the switch as usual

[endarkenment]

6. Good. And Harry get a damn clue.

You were had by your 'friends' across the aisle, who lied to you, delayed your efforts, demanded and got concessions, and then publicly humiliated you. And this was only about the 30th time that they have snookered you since you starting leading us in the Senate. Wake up Harry, they are not your friends and they cannot be trusted.

[Bonobo]

14. Wimpiest. Ex-boxer. Ever.

[madame defarge]

7. According to NPR...

every member of the House will get 5 minutes to state an opinion about the resolution. I know I'll be listening very carefully to my republican rep's (non)speech...

[The Stranger]

8. Is there any way to prevent the Republicans from stating an opinion?

I should probably think back a couple of months. If it is possible, one can rest assured they did it to the Democrats.

[DKRC]

11. O, I don't know ... maybe turn off the mic ... but no one would do that, would they? nt

[bonito]

10. Good news n/t

[Miss Chybil]

12. Kick. nt

[radfringe]

13. anyone know if ANY Senator

has come out on the floor of the Senate and say they are in favor of Bush's ESCALATION?

I know McCain has somewhat "supported" it, but he has some ideas of his own regarding the size of the escalation and it's "mission"

[Big Pappa]

15. Yeah Yeah

But why can't they pass a BINDING resolution? This is such childless shit. Why vote on something that isn't worth the paper its printed on. Have some balls and do this the right way.

[Mechatanketra]

16. My guess?

Because a "binding resolution" would actually be a bill, that would only take effect if Bush signs it or a supermajority votes for it.

That being said ... hell, yes, write a binding bill. Make the bastards go on the record. Title it the "End to Unnecessary American Deaths Bill of 2007" — and see who's willing to sign their name in favor of more American deaths. And make sure every speech on the floor and comment to the press emphasizes that's the point: Americans are dying now for no valid reason, and we think that shouldn't be happening ... while certain other people don't seem to mind that, oddly.

[Big Pappa]

17. Your right

Bush would have to veto it. But then he cant keep claiming Congress authorized him to go to war. It will also be a way to weed out some of our DINO'S who talk a big game but cant walk the walk. Yeah that means you Hillary.:nuke:

[bdamomma]

18. This should be very interesting and Dennis will have alot to say.