Levin seeks to expand hate crimes bill, end Iraq war

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

A senior Senate Democrat said Tuesday that he wants to use a major defense policy bill to expand federal hate crimes laws to protect gays, bring troops home from Iraq and force Baghdad to pay more toward reconstruction costs.

The effort would raise the flag on major issues favored by the party's base. But only the reconstruction provision is considered to have a chance at passing — and even that proposal's prospects would depend heavily on Republican cooperation.

Slim margins in Congress, particularly in the Senate where 60 votes are needed to overcome procedural hurdles, have kept Democrats from enacting much of their legislative agenda since taking control last year.

Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, suggested Democrats will try anyway, starting with a measure that would prohibit U.S. money from being spent on reconstruction and possibly other war-related costs. Levin, D-Mich., who plans to meet this week with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the issue, says Iraq should use its massive oil profits to cover rebuilding efforts.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080422/ap_on_go_co/congress_defense_4

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In addition, Democrats are expected to revive legislation that would force President Bush to withdraw troops from Iraq by a certain date. Levin said this proposal could be offered on the defense authorization bill, or earlier when the Senate considers a separate war spending bill.

[sakabatou]

1. Hurray, Levin!

[timtom]

2. Kicked and Recommended.

[bemildred]

3. Bring it on! nt

[frebrd]

4. K&R! Thanks for posting this.

[Faygo Kid]

5. Somebody has to try something; it's time to win at least one.

As a former Michigander, I salute Sen. Levin.

Don't always agree with him, but he's rock solid on the war.

[Indenturedebtor]

6. I'm waiting for the "Evil Jews" posters to show up

Come on in guys. This must be a crafty plan by AIPAC and the Global Jewish Conspiracy to throw us off the scent :sarcasm:

WTG Levin!

[Ian David]

9. They're too busy sneaking into Jewish homes and planting loaves of bread. n/t

[ckramer]

7. Where is the "leadership" of Nancy Polesi on this ?

Plan to visit Dalai Lama next month?

[Ian David]

10. Leadership is not on the table from Pelosi. n/t

[Ian David]

8. That's a heckuva lotta stuff for one bill. Let's hope it passes. n/t

[knitter4democracy]

11. At least our senator is trying.

He's tried before, to his credit, so it has to work some time.