More Than 130 National Events Target Republican Senators on Iraq Filibuster

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0717-12.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 17, 2007
12:16 PM


CONTACT: MoveOn.org


More Than 130 National Events Target Republican Senators on Iraq Filibuster

Senate Republicans Use Ploy to Prevent Passage of Timetable for Safe & Secure Exit of U.S. Troops
**DC Event Tuesday @ 8:30pm - Upper Senate Park**


WASHINGTON - JULY 17 - Members of MoveOn will hold more than 130 "counter-filibusters" Tuesday evening in cities and districts across the country as Republican Senators join a "filibuster" to block a vote on ending the Iraq war. They will call on their Senators to end their participation in the filibuster, which blocks the Senate from passing a timetable for the safe and secure exit of U.S. troops from Iraq.

MoveOn members will read letters from Iraq war veterans and their families that call on Congress to bring the troops home soon. "We're gathering to ask these Senators to stop playing political games and vote to bring our troops home safely, securely, and soon," said Eli Pariser, Executive Director, MoveOn.org Political Action.

A majority of U.S. Senators are on record in support of legislation that would require President Bush to begin bringing troops home within the next 120 days and complete the task by April 2008. They will not be able to vote on such a measure if a small group of Republican senators continue to block progress on the most important issue facing the country. Senate rules require 60 (out of 100) votes to end debate so Senators can vote on a bill.

The pending Senate measure is an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill offered by Democratic Senators Carl Levin (MI), chair of the Armed Services Committee, and Jack Reed (RI), a former U.S. Army Ranger. It is co- sponsored by three Republican Senators -- Olympia Snowe (ME), Chuck Hagel (NE), and Gordon Smith (OR).

WHO: MoveOn members and other local residents along with local veterans and military families

WHAT: A "counter-filibuster" directed at Senate Republicans, demanding that they stop blocking a vote for a timetable to end the Iraq War.

WHERE: DC Event: Upper Senate Park, First St. & Delaware Ave. NW

MN Event: Senator Norm Coleman's Mankato Office, 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2167, Mankato, MN 56001

ME Event: Senator Collins' Office -- at the corner of Free and Temple One City Center: Stop 23, Portland, ME 04101

WHEN: Tuesday, July 17, 2007, 8:30pm