by DemFromCT
For details on who was ill, present, voting against their district, voting for their conscience, etc...
As expected, the non-binding resolution was easier than binding legislation that deals with funding for troops in battle. So, starting with 233 Democrats, knowing two of her members were ill, Pelosi could only afford to lose about 15 votes among Democrats and have enough margin for error to pass the bill. (Republicans were down one seat because of the death of Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) and another because Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.) is recovering from surgery.) Pelosi managed to coax enough members of the Out of Iraq Caucus into supporting her way forward in trying to end the Iraq war.
Not a single member of leadership, or a single chairman, opposed her on the vote, including Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.). As chairmen of the House Judiciary Committee and Ways and Means Committee, respectively, Conyers and Rangel were also founding members of the Out of Iraq Caucus. They voted aye for Pelosi, in helping to deliver the speaker's biggest victory so far.
As to how it could have been reported had the legislation failed, I’m glad we don’t have to watch Fox News to find out. I'd rather it be reported as a victory and move on. The fact is, the American people want out. And they expect Congress to act, having given up on Bush. But the details and complexities do not make this an easy vote. So, for the time being, we will settle for these headlines:
Dems challenge Bush with Iraq timetable
Houston Chronicle, TX -
By
ANNE FLAHERTY AP Writer. © 2007 AP. WASHINGTON — A sharply divided
House voted Friday to order President Bush to bring combat troops home
from Iraq next ...
| NH’s Democratic representatives join anti-war vote Boston Herald, MA - By AP. CONCORD, NH -- New Hampshire’s two Democratic members of the US House joined their colleagues Friday, voting for an end to the war in Iraq and ... |
| US reps approve Iraq withdrawal bill Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - A sharply divided US House of Representatives voted on Friday to order President George W Bush to bring combat troops home from Iraq next year, ... |
| US House votes for Iraq deadline BBC Bulgaria, Bulgaria - The House of Representatives has voted in favour of ordering President George W Bush to pull US troops out of Iraq. The bill imposes a 31 August 2008 ... |
| House Bill Sets Date for Iraq Withdrawal NPR - by Madeleine Brand, John Ydstie and Juan Williams. Day to Day, March 23, 2007 · A bill voted on by the House of Representatives Friday includes a measure ... |
| US House approves troop withdrawal from Iraq Swissinfo, Switzerland - By Richard Cowan. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US House of Representatives on Friday voted to impose a September 1, 2008, deadline for withdrawing all ... |
This is going to be a great issue to talk about during the elections. Here in Michigan, 60% of our Congresspeople voted to continue the war while 60% of our residents want to withdraw.
Posted by: Nirmal | March 23, 2007 at 18:28
Exactly the point, Nirmal.
Posted by: DemFromCT | March 23, 2007 at 18:47
Like other MoveOn.org members, I voted to support Pelosi, who is my U.S. Representative. I knew that a failure of the bill would have harmed her leadership and the Democrats.
The Democrats have wounded the president. I hope is the coup de grace.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_de_grace
Posted by: Prabhata | March 23, 2007 at 23:22
news sample:
House OKs troop pullout bill
Senate to vote on own version; Bush threatens veto
March 24, 2007
BY ANNE FLAHERTY
WASHINGTON -- The House voted Friday for the first time to clamp a cutoff deadline on the Iraq war, agreeing by a thin margin to pull combat troops out by next year and pushing the new Democratic-led Congress closer to a showdown with President Bush.
The 218-212 vote, mostly along party lines, was a hard-fought victory for Democrats, who faced divisions within their ranks on the rancorous issue. Passage marked their most brazen challenge yet to Bush on a war that has killed more than 3,200 troops and lost favor with the American public.
"Today's historic vote marked the beginning of the end of the war in Iraq," Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), a leader on the issue, said in a statement. "This bill forces the president to meet his own benchmarks and to put an end to the bloodshed in Iraq."
Posted by: DemFromCT | March 24, 2007 at 06:16
Since normal voters don't actually follow the ins and outs of Congressional votes, Dems will get credit for "trying" to end the war, while a Senate "compromise" will end the possibility of any actual, teeth carrying action to bring an end. This is good politics for the Dems in 2008 and lousy for U.S. soldiers and anyone who gives a damn about the international moral standing of this country.
About par for the course.
Posted by: janinsanfran | March 24, 2007 at 15:51