TWICFEB16

The House of Representatives took the lead over a delayed Senate bill by passing a resolution that supports the troops in Iraq, past and present, but votes no confidence on President Bush's 'new way forward', the 21,500 combat troop surge into Iraq.

Opponents hold that while the resolution is pointless it has significant consequences. It sends a mixed, confusing and non-supportive message to troops already deployed.

Many see the resolution as an opposition to the Bush plan with no alternative offered. Other opponents saw some risky results from what they assume to be the next step: a retreat from Iraq. They then extended that assumption to assert that if the US withdraws from Iraq one of the results will be a transfer of the war on terror to the US mainland. "...when ideological militants achieve their objectives, history tells us that they don't settle, that they only attempt to expand their reach even further. And that means following us home," said Rep Adam Putnam (R-FL-12th)

Supporters question the history of how the war has been handled by the Administration and see the surge as an escalation of the war, potentially ineffective and a further waste of US lives in a misbegotten war run amuck. More of the same will not work, they hold. "I don't believe that we can any more condone this long train of failure which has brought us so little success and such tremendous sacrifice in blooded treasure. It is time that we recognize that our troops are in the middle of a civil insurrection or a civil war. It is time that we recognize that we must turn this situation now over to the Iraqis. The matter will be decided by the Iraqis, not by us. It will not be decided militarily, but rather politically, by the people in the area, and not by Americans who are coming increasingly to be viewed as intruders and to be less liked and less supported," said Rep. John Dingell (D-MI-15th).

Opponents suspect that the resolution is a first step to cutting off funds for the troops. Supporters claim that the resolution is the first step in addressing the status, direction and funding of the President's continuing war in Iraq and an opportunity for American voters, through their elected officials, to weigh in on the future of the war. "A vote of disapproval will set the stage for additional Iraq legislation which will be coming to the House floor," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-8th) said and added "Friday's vote will signal whether the House has heard the American people: no more blank checks for President Bush on Iraq. Our taxpayer dollars must go to protect our troops, to keep our promises to our veterans, and to provide for the safety of the American people, She said.

The Senate, after failing to continue debate on the matter and facing the prospect of being a rubber stamp for a House action again opened the debate on further debate of the Senate resolutions and bills regarding Iraq. Republicans proposed a vote on Warner SCR 7 that supports the troops and opposes the surge, McCain S RES 70 that supports the troops and supports the surge and the Gregg amendment that assures continued funding for the ongoing war. If none passed with 60 votes they could be voted on again at another date. The Majority rejected that proposal and insisted on a vote on Warner SCR7 with McCain S RES 70 language voted on as a possible amendment. The Republicans rejected that proposal.

The Senate voted on invoking cloture on S 574, a bill supporting the troops but opposing the troop surge. The vote failed to collect the necessary 60 votes and therefore cloture failed and the bill was removed from consideration. The bill may be brought back for another vote in the future. 56 Senators supported cloture and 34 opposed it. (Recorded Vote 51)

(Report here...HCR 63)

(Report here...S574)

An explanation of House and Senate bills regarding Iraq

can be read... Here.

CBO calculations on cost of the surge can be read... Here

Two Resolutions Revisit Internment of Japanese-Americans and other Immigrant Populations During WW II

FDR Executive Order Later Revoked by President Ford

Report here... HRES 122

Other Nationalities Corralled During WW II

Report here...HRES 109

Photo: Morgurfiles

HOUSE COUNTERS SENATE TAX BILL

Effort Aims to Soften Wage Increase Impact on Small Businesses

In contrast to the Senate amendments to HR 2, the minimum wage increase bill, totaling $8.3 billion the House trimmed down the effort to $1.3 billion in a stand alone bill expected to be associated with the final version of HR 2, after the two bodies iron out differences.

(Report here...HR 976)

MISSOURI POST OFFICE NAMED AFTER LIMBAUGH KIN

The Cape Girardeau facility will be named after conservative radio personality's grandfather

(Report here...HR 342)

Department of Energy Ordered to Spend for Solar Energy Wall

Bill directs general Services to use $30 million already granted to implement planned project. (Report here...HR 798)

Photo: Jane M. Sawyer

LAST YEAR'S CATCH-UP BUDGET COMPLETED BY THE SENATE

Amendment Activity Curtailed-House Version Passed Without Amendment.

(Report here...HJR20)

(Bill Text)