Eleven House Republicans split from their party Wednesday to oppose escalating the Iraq war, and an anonymous GOP representative said the leadership has 50 to 60 more on a defection watch list. The minority hopes to get its revenge when it comes time to debate funding for the war, but the Democrats have a plan for the showdown, which John Murtha unveiled on Thursday.
Washington Post:
Republicans think the funding debate will unite their party and expose deep fissures among the Democrats, some of whom want immediate action to deny funding to the war effort. But Democratic leaders have rallied around a strategy that would fully fund the president’s $100 billion request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but would limit his ability to use the money.
Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense, will formally outline the Democrats’ plan today to antiwar groups agitating for binding action against the war. Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), a subcommittee member who helped arrange the Internet event, said the plan is aimed at tamping down calls from the Democrats’ liberal wing for Congress to simply end funding for the war.
The Murtha plan, based on existing military guidelines, includes a stipulation that Army troops who have already served in Iraq must be granted two years at home before an additional deployment, Marines must be given 14 months at home, and any troops sent to Iraq must be those deemed fully trained and equipped under existing military standards. The idea is to slowly choke off the war by stopping the deployment of troops from units that have been badly degraded by four years of combat.
“They won’t be able to deploy troops unless they extend troops overseas. And if we limit the extension, then it’ll be very difficult for them to continue this surge, which the American people are against and the Iraqis don’t want,” Murtha said [Wednesday] on National Public Radio.
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By ChicagoGuy, February 16, 2007 at 7:07 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Bush thinks Americans want to continue the war in Iraq? Well, how about we reinstate the military draft and do not allow exemptions and just see how far Bush’s America will go to support the war in Iraq.
Also, I agree. We need to financially support our military. Rather than allocating more money why not simply stop all monies earmarked for construction in Iraq and divert it to the military. Rather than seeing pallets of hundreds of millions of US dollars disappear we will be using it to support our troops.
Report thisBy joey, February 15, 2007 at 10:17 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Correction….
General Petraius is not the greatest leader of all time.
He is the general that the insane leader G.W. Bush hasn’t fired yet.
Mitch McConnell and his Nazis have killed again today in Iraq.
Report thisBy Dennis D, February 15, 2007 at 8:14 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
It’s really pretty simple - there is no debate. The Democrats don’t want to impeach these criminals because they’re afraid to look mean spirited to the voters. They want to be first at the feeding trough if they win the Out House in 08. They’re perfectly happy watching Bu$h Inc. dig deeper holes for themselves.
Report thisThe Republicans up for reelection are trying to pretend the whole war, Katrina and other assorted debacles never happened by not addressing them as issues at all. They’re relying on voter amnesia in 08 and being able to play the “fear” card once again.
It’s all about political posturing and paying off favors to our benevolent leaders of both parties, the lives being lost and deeper debt means nothing.
Everyday our country’s founders spin faster in their graves.
By yours truly, February 15, 2007 at 4:35 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
By cutting off all funding for the Iraq war, Congress has a chance to show that it represents us and not the powers that be. If Congress refuses to cut off said funding, then it’ll be up to us, because it’s do or die now. Either we end this war or it’ll be the end of us.
Report thisBy Charlie Kasnick, February 15, 2007 at 2:18 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Send the budget back to the acting prez,either Bush Or cheney,and demand that he put the wars true cost into it and stop these silly emergency funding resolutions.Stick together and the republicans would have a have a hard time explaining it to the regular Joe.If they refuse then ask why they dont support the troops!
Report thisBy Quy Tran, February 15, 2007 at 12:22 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Don’t let them sacrifice more troops and kill more innocent people in Iraq.
They’re drinking bloods enough for over 3 years.
Report thisBy Dale Headley, February 15, 2007 at 12:11 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
The Washington Post and the New York Times are both reporting that many of the “surge” troops are being sent into the Baghdad morass without Humvees armored to protect them against the weapons Bush claims Iran is providing to the insurgents. True or not, it apparently makes no difference to most of the Republicans in Congress. They make it clear that they back sending the troops in, armor or no armor. This, apparently, is their idea of “supporting our troops.”
Report thisBy Outraged, February 15, 2007 at 11:50 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
They wont be able to deploy troops unless they extend troops overseas. And if we limit the extension, then itll be very difficult for them to continue this surge, which the American people are against and the Iraqis dont want, Murtha said [Wednesday] on National Public Radio.
Personally, I like Murtha but in his quote above I believe he’s not listening to his own voice…“the American people are against and the Iraqis don’t want”...THE PEOPLE WANT OUT NOW! Somehow at this point we’re supposed to make “concessions” and “bipartisan agreements”. NO! THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT OUT.
Excuse me, but the vote IS bipartisan “THE PEOPLE” DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN ALIKE WANT OUT NOW! What part of “NO” don’t they understand?
And as for Rep James P. Morgan Jr. comment, (where is he getting his information, the White House propaganda machine!) “tamping down the liberal wing of Congress”. I’ll say it again THERE IS A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT TO GET OUT OF THE WAR NOW BY “THE PEOPLE!” Suddenly it’s AGAIN becoming something “they’re deciding”. The decision has already been made THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT OUT. Even MSM has acknowledged that! “THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA” want that implemented NOW!.....END OF STORY!
Report thisBy Steve Hammons, February 15, 2007 at 6:30 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
It is difficult to be patient with the new Congress. Many Americans want the war criminals in the Bush administration brought to justice immediately.
This is understandable ... but, unfortunately, it will take time to conduct needed investigations and trigger further actions.
Many US troops, innocent Iraqis and others will die and be terribly injured in the meantime. This is very sad and troubling.
Congress will need continued support and encouragement.
For more on this, see:
Congressional inquiries on Iraq War can enhance honor and strength of America
By Steve Hammons
American Chronicle
November 9, 2006
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=16328
- - -
New Congress must conduct necessary inquiries and investigations properly
By Steve Hammons
American Chronicle
October 19, 2006
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=15108
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