H R 2082, the Intelligence Authorization Act, passed the House 225 – 197. Here are some key provisions of the bill; here is the opposition’s argument.
Aye: Pastor, Mitchell, Giffords, Grijalva
No: Renzi, Franks, Shadegg, Flake
Reactions to passage:
Gabrielle Giffords: “I supported legislation that links our military funding in Iraq to principled and reasonable benchmarks for political and economic progress. I voted for this legislation because Congress must honor its responsibility to provide our troops with the equipment they need in combat while also recognizing that Iraqis must take concrete steps towards creating a stable country for themselves.”
Harry Mitchell: “We have a commitment to our men and women in uniform to put them first. This legislation fully funds our troops in harm’s way, and makes clear that once they return, they’ll receive the care they have earned.”
Yesterday in the House
H R 2207 and H R 2206, both providing for emergency supplemental appropriations, passed the House.
2207 Yea: Renzi, Pastor, Mitchell, Grijalva, Giffords
Nay: Franks, Shadegg, Flake
2206 Yea: Pastor, Mitchell, Grijavla, Giffords
Nay: Renzi, Franks, Shadegg, Flake
H R 2237, To provide for the redeployment of United States Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq, failed in the House 171 – 255.
Aye: Pastor, Grijalva
No: Renzi, Franks, Shadegg, Mitchell, Flake, Giffords
Statements on this bill:
Today, 169 Democrats stood on the floor of the House and declared their vote in opposition to the continued occupation of Iraq. The vote on Congressman McGovern’s legislative effort, HR 2237, to begin withdrawing our troops and contractors in 90 days, sends a loud and clear message that the majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives stand with the American people in opposing the war in Iraq.
This first vote to begin redeployment out of Iraq is a milestone in the House of Representatives. Today, Democrats stood firm against the Administration’s misguided policies, and for a commitment to our troops to expeditiously bring them home safely to their loved ones and families.
The strength of a two-thirds majority of Democrats to make a commitment to end the war in Iraq is encouraging. I look forward to the continued pressing of this issue until the majority of all my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, agree to end this misguided war.
Giffords: “I opposed legislation introduced by Congressman James McGovern from Massachusetts (H.R. 2237) that would have prompted an immediate withdrawal. This is not a realistic option. As a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, I have spent countless hours in briefings and hearings related to the occupation of Iraq. I am convinced that redeployment of our troops must occur in the most responsible and practical manner for
the safety of our men and women in uniform and the security of the region.”
11 members of the House Republicans told Bush the country has turned from his four year war policy in Iraq.
The Swagger Chimp doesn’t care, but what will make him change his mind about the failed Iraq policy is when funds to the GOP dry up.
The Republicans who face re-election are going to get killed by Democrats over this, the National Debt, Gonzo-Gate and Wolfowitz.
Two weeks ago the Iraqi Parliament voted by a 2/3 majority for the American Troops to leave their country. They are a sovereign nation, why are we still planning to stay?
george(the liar) bush recently stated “When the Iraqi’s ask us to leave, we will”.
Just another bush lie?
Harry…Gabby…suggest you spend just a few hours noticing the Iraq Parliament activity…and you both should already know any intelligence from the area is skewed and incompetent with the warmongering administrations twist.
Where is your exit strategy? The only re-deployment should be for protection for leaving. Do want to wait until a Vietnam type exit occurs?
Wake up…get our troops outta there, we have no business there and never did, except for exxon and corporate profiteers that are stealing our tax dollars.
the duly elected people’s bodies, the U.S. Congress and the Iraqi parliament, say they want a troop withdrawal. That’s more than a poll. Isn’t that the voice of the people?
McCain: HELL No! Dismisses Democratically-Elected Iraqi Parliament’s Call For US Withdrawal.
Can we call Iraq for what it is, A Neocon Occupation.
I guess Giffords and Mitchell didn’t bother actually reading McGovern’s amendment. There is nothing unrealistic about the plan and it even has at least 4 mentions of provisions that allow “outs” on various issues per Congressional approval. “Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise restrict…”
If 9 months is considered “immediate withdrawl” in Giffords opinion, I would like to know what an extended stay is in her opinion.
With Democrats like that, who needs Republicans! I guess this is the time I say to all those who pushed her down out throats in the Primary, “Told you so!”
Once a rightwinger, always a rightwinger. I guess as long as they make six figures off our tax dollars, they don’t give a crap about the lives of Americans (or Iraqis).
Personally, I think this is really about their re-election campaigns and they want to extend our stay in Iraq so the timing of withdrawl is when they need the “bump” in their election campaigns.
Thank goodness Pastor and Grijalva have some integrity.