Another missed opportunity to make a point on Iraq.

[Mass]

The Senate is voting on cloture for the Emergency Bill. Once again, money will be given without any question asked. Feingold voted NO because he said that a YES vote would prevent a discussion on Iraq.

The sad part is that the Democrats had a great opportunity to take a stand here: no money without a policy attached to it. They are all voting YES and afraid to be labelled anti-troops if they vote NO.

Too bad they cant show a little more courage on this issue. How long are they going to vote to give money without any strings attached.

Kudos to Wyden, who just voted NO.

[Mass]

1. Dodd and Levin voting NO.

[Mass]

2. Amendments concerning withdrawal from Iraq by end of 2006 blocked by

cloture.

Three amendments (at least) concerning troops withdrawal from Iraq will be blocked by the cloture vote:

Two Kerry amendments

As he is not here, we are not hearing about these amendments that would put his previous proposal in the bill (and will not be voted upon as cloture was invoked), but it is worth noting that, yesterday, he submitted a series of amendment on thie issue.


SA 3764. Mr. KERRY (for himself and Mr. Biden) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 88, line 7, insert ``That from that amount, funds shall be made available for a summit, to be convened by the President not later than 30 days after the date of the formation of the new Government of Iraq, that includes leaders of such Government, leaders of the governments of each country bordering Iraq, representatives of the Arab League, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, representatives of the European Union, and leaders of the governments of each permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the purpose of reaching a comprehensive political agreement for Iraq that addresses security guarantees, federalism, oil revenues, militias, reconstruction efforts, and border security:


Provided further,'' after ``


Provided''.



SA 3765. Mr. KERRY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 88, line 7, insert ``That from that amount, funds shall be made available for a summit, to be convened by the President not later than 30 days after the date of the formation of the new Government of Iraq, that includes leaders of such Government, leaders of the governments of each country bordering Iraq, representatives of the Arab League, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, representatives of the European Union, and leaders of the governments of each permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the purpose of reaching a comprehensive political agreement for Iraq that addresses security guarantees, federalism, oil revenues, militias, reconstruction efforts, and border security:


Provided further,'' after ``


Provided''.

SA 3766. Mr. KERRY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS FROM IRAQ

Sec. __. (a) The President shall withdraw the United States Armed Forces from Iraq at the earliest practicable date if a national unity government is not formed in Iraq by May 22, 2006.

(b) If a national unity government is formed in Iraq by May 22, 2006--

(1) the President shall reach an agreement as soon as possible with such national unity government on a schedule for the withdrawal of United States combat troops from Iraq by December 31, 2006, leaving only forces that are critical to completing the mission of standing up Iraqi security forces; and

(2) the President shall consult with Congress regarding such schedule and shall present such withdrawal agreement to Congress immediately upon the completion of the agreement.

(c) The President should maintain an over-the-horizon troop presence to prosecute the war on terror and protect regional security interests.

and a Feingold amendment on the same subject

SA 3680. Mr. FEINGOLD submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 4939, making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SEC. __.

(A) The United States shall redeploy U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31st, 2006, maintaining only a minimal force sufficient for engaging directly in targeted counter-terrorism activities, training Iraqi security forces, and protecting U.S. infrastructure and personnel.(B) Not later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, the President shall direct the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to provide to Congress a report that includes the strategy for the redeployment of U.S. forces Iraq by December 31st, 2006. The strategy shall include the following:


(1) A flexible timeline for redeployment U.S. forces from Iraq by December 31st, 2006;

(2) The number, size, and character of U.S. military units needed in Iraq beyond December 31st, 2006, for purposes of counter-terrorism activities, training Iraqi security forces, and protecting U.S. infrastructure and personnel;

(3) A strategy for addressing the regional implications of redeploying U.S. troops on a diplomatic, political, and development level;

(4) A strategy for ensuring the safety and security of U.S. forces in Iraq during and after the redeployment, and a contingency plan for addressing dramatic changes in security conditions that may require a limited number of U.S. forces to remain in Iraq after December 31st, 2006; and

(5) A strategy for redeploying U.S. forces to effectively engage and defeat global terrorist networks that threaten the United States.