Senate Passes $150 Billion War Spending Bill 92-3
By Logan Murphy Monday Oct 01, 2007 8:18pmThwarted in efforts to bring troops home from Iraq, Senate Democrats on Monday helped pass a defense policy bill authorizing another $150 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 92-3 vote comes as the House planned to approve separate legislation Tuesday that requires President Bush to give Congress a plan for eventual troop withdrawals.
The developments underscored the difficulty facing Democrats in the Iraq debate: They lack the votes to pass legislation ordering troops home and are divided on whether to cut money for combat, despite a mandate by supporters to end the war.
Hoping the political landscape changes in coming months, Democratic leaders say they will renew their fight when Congress considers the money Bush wants in war funding. Read more...
It is inconceivable that the Senate would pass this bill knowing how our tax dollars are being wasted, mis-managed and given to companies like Blackwater. In what might come as a shock to many, Blackwater pays it's managers more than twice as much as General David Petraeus makes for commanding some 160,000 troops. This go-along to get-along strategy by the Democrats will surely improve the poll numbers for Congress, no?
UPDATE: Meanwhile, Rep. David Obey has thrown down the gauntlet and said he is willing to fight Bush on funding.
Login or Register to post comments.
Dear Jah in Heaven, unbelievable.
Simply unbelievable...
Goddam cowards, all of them.
This sucks! I don't suppose they made any rules about controlling all the graft, corruption and WASTE that is going on in Iraq. Damn them to hell.
What a joke. This war will never end. The Dems are a huge disappointment...stand up and fight!
Sad.
Let's all stand up and applaud the Congress that fails us once again. No guts among the lot of 'em. And we think this country is going to get ANY better? America has just lost, and we'll continue to lose with this bunch. How about Americans get up and have a no-confidence vote in our government? How about we choose to censure the government since they like to waste their time censuring people like moveon.org that actually want this country to make PROGRESS!
At least my eyes are getting washed. I gotta go hug the dogs.
Inconceivable? Hardly. They've been the loyal opposition this whole time. Vote Kucinich or Vote Green is what I say.
go-along to get-along politics is exactly what got the German government into all that shit back in the 30's. I think its fair to say that what the Democrats are doing in congress and the senate right now is very akin to Chamberlins attempts at apeasement, and we all know how that turned out.
How do these wimps get their lips on Bush's tush all at one time?
When exactly did the Dems drink the "Kool Aid"? I am ashamed of all of them for their lack of courage.
mr.ed @ 9:
Some are sucking his dick too.
who voted against it?
No one can say they're seriously surprised by this anymore, can they?
I just saw some D rep. from Washington (I think his name was Smith), whining about how HELPLESS the Democrats were, since they didn't have the votes to do anything.
They're all useless. They can't do anything. They're all prisoners of momentum.
I guess they just need to quit, then. THey're useless, they need to go away.
Like the poster above said, vote 3rd party, or don't bother to vote. Those in power don't care one bit, as long as you vote to continue the 2 party system. But if a serious 3rd party contender comes up, watch what happens to them.
CLEAN SLATE folks. That is what we need in 2008.
No more easy reelection just because you have a "D". The current D list is not any better than the republiCONs.
Really it's time to get rid of all of them!
:=|
It's pathetic and hopeless. The Dems in the Senate are clueless cowards. I won't give them a dime unless and until they show me they believe what I believe. Russ Feingold, clone yourself! We need 59 more like you.
ellen @ 12:
That's what I'm trying to find out. I know one of my Senators did (Voinovich) but i am really hoping that my other Senator (Brown) didn't. I don't think he would. Voinovich is voting with the Pretzledent no matter what.
One more thing ...
Most of these Democrats running for President will NOT stop the war.
And their reasons for not stopping the war are lies!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7raAL3Wld0
MYTH #1: Congress needs 67 votes to end the Iraq war.
TRUTH: The Senate requires just 40 votes to filibuster a war spending bill to halt the Iraq War.
The Democratically-controlled House requires a simple majority to stop a war spending bill from passing. Congressional Democrats, including Joe Biden, have refused to exercise, or even threaten to exercise, these basic powers.
MYTH #2: Because Bush vetoed one bill, Congress has no power to stop the war.
TRUTH: Congress sent just one (1) Iraq bill to Bush that was vetoed.
Democrats could have sent Bush another bill, but they refused.
MYTH#3: The Congress has no power at all to stop a war, meaning it’s all George Bush’s fault.
TRUTH: The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and end wars, if it votes to do so.
Mostly recently, roughly 80% of Democrats in Congress voted to help continue the Iraq war.
DEMOCRATS ARE NOT INNOCENT BYSTANDERS
"They’re all useless. They can’t do anything. They’re all prisoners of momentum."
Uh,"Joementum" that is...
Actually, the rest of this article states that Bush can't spend the money unless he asks Congress and they are passing an additional bill later in the week that gives them complete authority over how the money is spent and Congress can choose to spend it to bring the troops home.
I'm as disgusted with the Dems in Congress as everyone, but if it's true that they're going to rein him in, I'm with them.
Lieberman is high maintainence.
Damn it! Brown voted for it, too! Against was Byrd, Feingold (of course) and Coburn (what a shock). None of the Presidential contenders even voted, the chickenshits.
92-3 ! How would the vote have been any different in a Republican controlled Senate?
When I said that it was a shock that Coburn voted against it, I was not being facetious. I really am surprised that a Republican from Oklahoma, no less, voted against it.
"In such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of thinking people, not to be on the side of the executioners." -Camus
This vote is difficult to comprehend.
Roll call: Apparently if you're running for President, you no longer have to vote.
Alphabetical by Senator Name
Akaka (D-HI), Yea
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Barrasso (R-WY), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Yea
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Not Voting
Bingaman (D-NM), Yea
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Yea
Brown (D-OH), Yea
Brownback (R-KS), Yea
Bunning (R-KY), Yea
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Cardin (D-MD), Yea
Carper (D-DE), Yea
Casey (D-PA), Yea
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Not Voting
Coburn (R-OK), Nay
Cochran (R-MS), Yea
Coleman (R-MN), Yea
Collins (R-ME), Yea
Conrad (D-ND), Yea
Corker (R-TN), Yea
Cornyn (R-TX), Yea
Craig (R-ID), Yea
Crapo (R-ID), Yea
DeMint (R-SC), Yea
Dodd (D-CT), Not Voting
Dole (R-NC), Yea
Domenici (R-NM), Yea
Dorgan (D-ND), Yea
Durbin (D-IL), Yea
Ensign (R-NV), Yea
Enzi (R-WY), Yea
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
Feinstein (D-CA), Yea
Graham (R-SC), Yea
Grassley (R-IA), Yea
Gregg (R-NH), Yea
Hagel (R-NE), Yea
Harkin (D-IA), Yea
Hatch (R-UT), Yea
Hutchison (R-TX), Yea
Inhofe (R-OK), Yea
Inouye (D-HI), Yea
Isakson (R-GA), Yea
Johnson (D-SD), Yea
Kennedy (D-MA), Yea
Kerry (D-MA), Yea
Klobuchar (D-MN), Yea
Kohl (D-WI), Yea
Kyl (R-AZ), Yea
Landrieu (D-LA), Yea
Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea
Leahy (D-VT), Yea
Levin (D-MI), Yea
Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea
Lincoln (D-AR), Yea
Lott (R-MS), Yea
Lugar (R-IN), Yea
Martinez (R-FL), Yea
McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting
McCaskill (D-MO), Yea
McConnell (R-KY), Yea
Menendez (D-NJ), Yea
Mikulski (D-MD), Yea
Murkowski (R-AK), Yea
Murray (D-WA), Yea
Nelson (D-FL), Yea
Nelson (D-NE), Yea
Obama (D-IL), Not Voting
Pryor (D-AR), Yea
Reed (D-RI), Yea
Reid (D-NV), Yea
Roberts (R-KS), Yea
Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea
Salazar (D-CO), Yea
Sanders (I-VT), Yea
Schumer (D-NY), Yea
Sessions (R-AL), Yea
Shelby (R-AL), Yea
Smith (R-OR), Yea
Snowe (R-ME), Yea
Specter (R-PA), Yea
Stabenow (D-MI), Yea
Stevens (R-AK), Yea
Sununu (R-NH), Yea
Tester (D-MT), Yea
Thune (R-SD), Yea
Vitter (R-LA), Yea
Voinovich (R-OH), Yea
Warner (R-VA), Yea
Webb (D-VA), Yea
Whitehouse (D-RI), Yea
Wyden (D-OR), Yea
92-3? Un-fucking-believable. How were the 3 patriots?
...and call this thing what it is. It's an "offense bill", not a "defense bill". Offensive for Big Oil, defense contractors and Halliburton. The only way to fight back is to leave America and take your tax dollars with you
Today I watched the Blackwater hearings and realized the democrats are just as fucked up as the repukes. They don't ask the right questions and seem more content to grandstand than to get to the bottom line
Why do they all have to spend so much time patting these folks on the back. Does anyone else get that many compliments when they are called on the carpet?
Other than Henry Waxmen, the rest of the democrats had their head up their ass.
Jack Jett
They toss out our votes, they supress us voting and now they ignore our mandate...
Taxation without representation.
If we can't vote them out- smoke em out.
Stop paying taxes until these so called Representatives do the job we gave them.
BTW ..
Someone said they need 40 votes to stop the funding.
Who are the democrat wimps that are afraid Bushy might call them a bad name?????
jack jett
Earth to deluded ones: The Democratic Party will not end the war because it does not represent those who are opposed to it. They represent those who profit from the war. The sooner everyone wakes up and realizes this the sooner we can get on with an alternative.
In a just world, every single Senator who voted for this bill would be arrested and tried as a war criminal. If any of us wrote a check to facilitate a crime, we would be arrested and tried as co-conspirators. If the war is illegal, the Senate is filled with unindicted co-conspirators. Lampposts are too good for them.
Congressman Obey has it right. He's going to fight Bush on this, and as Chair of the Appropriations Committee in the House he has a heck of a platform to do it. I just hope Pelosi lets him do it. He should do it anyway even if she doesn't.
pinkobait @ 18:
It's a wonderful thing.
92-3? Oh dear.
As a baby boomer and graduate of duck & cover, please tell me how this current government is much different than the USSR and their one party system.
The Democrats are giving citizens of this country very good reason to reconsider their options.
I think it was Mike Gravel who said that when a politician considers a position their first thought is not the people they are supposed to serve but rather the cash that got them into office and which keeps them riding high. We citizen types figure rather low in the chain of priorities.
Gravel would up-end this with the National Initiative, putting the power of lawmaking into the hands of the citizens.
With this power we could tell Congress to go to Hell, and pass a bill to de-fund this goddam war and get out.
Until we have a national initiative process, we are powerless and really victims in the hands of a powerful few.
Gee, I wonder if our government is broken?
I am profoundly disappointed in the lack of courage and character amoung the Democrats.
Being close to sixty years of age, I thought a had a somewhat educated understanding of how national partisan politics works. I guess I was wrong. I really do not understand why it is so difficult for Democrats in the House and Senate to VOTE THE WAY THEIR CONSTITUENTS WANT THEM TO VOTE! What a bunch of chicken-livered WEASLES!
This vote does not make any sense. Has Diebold taken over the Senate electronic voting system?
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
SUPPORT THE TROOPS! BRING THEM HOME!
Dear Jimmy-boy-"folding-chair"-Webb.....F*CK YOU!
Let's just remember this when we show them our level of support next November. I'm not voting for ANY incumbant. We have to remind this government that: "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed". When most of the governed don't give their consent to this war, these people in congress should have no power, and it's up to us to take it away from them.
Uh not quite. actually it's this.
Senate passes mammoth 648 billion defense bill AFP - Mon Oct 1, 8:06 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US Senate Monday passed a mammoth 648 billion dollar defense policy bill, shorn of attempts by disappointed anti-war Democrats to dictate President George W. Bush's Iraq strategy.
I'm thinking that Tom Clancy had a good idea at the end of Debt of Honor. Anyone who has read the book will know what I am talking about.
There is only one dynamic in government: To get re-elected. No other principal enters into it, it is the only factor to be considered in decision making.
AF_Comm_Guy @ 42:
Think Alexander Haig will jump up and assure us all he's in charge again???
Hanshiro, haven't I met you in a novel?
For everything the Dems did today to show they had some balls...oh, they just got cut off with this war spending nonsense!!!
TIME FOR A THIRD PARTY???????? THIS IS COPORATE AMERICA AT WORK.
L.A. Confidential @ 41:
Democratic Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware, Hillary Clinton of New York, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Barack Obama of Illinois, as well as Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, missed the 92-3 passage of the 2008 defense authorization bill. The only senator running a presidential campaign who made the vote is Sam Brownback, R-Kan., who voted for the bill.
William Wallace @ 47:
Maybe we should just do away with this entire congress and start over with no parties allowed. Allow only individuals to run and allow them to only have a certain budget with no soft money. Then maybe the common man could get elected.
AFP via Yahoo! News - Oct 02 8:12 AM
Iran has slashed the use of the dollar in payment for its oil exports to 15 percent, an official said on Tuesday, amid growing pressure from arch-foe the United States on its financial system.
Boing
This just in...with all the outsourcing the Republicans believe in it should be no surprise to anyone that Mohamed is going to be handling all of Jesus's duties from now on.
92 Wooden Crosses
or nooses.
I dont care, just get em gone.
NAYs ---3
Byrd (D-WV)
Coburn (R-OK)
Feingold (D-WI)
Did not Vote - 5
Biden (D-DE)
Clinton (D-NY)
Dodd (D-CT)
McCain (R-AZ)
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm...
I used to think the Dems were cowards, that they lacked spine ... but I'm beginning to realize that they actually benefit if the war continues. Maybe they benefit financially (altho not nearly as much as the Repubs do, they who invest in the military-industrial complex), but certainly the Dems benefit politically. Consider: If they force an end to the war too soon, with what will they attacked the Repubs in 2008? The Dems aren't cowards ... they need the war for their political ends. Beyond this they know (as do the Repubs) that it is in times of war that the government as a whole has it's most power over the people. Orwell knew this; it was the founding theme of 1984. During a time of war, the government can do what it wants without too much protest; power gets concentrated not in the grassroots but at the top. Of course the Dems know this; they're counting on it, especially since they expect to take the White House in '08. They certainly don't want to give up that power.
No, the Dems are not cowards. They're simply professional politicians. Don't expect them to be white knights or saviors or heroes here ... you'll just end up disappointed and disillusioned.
There are many "corporocrats" that want permanant war.
It is great for their donors.
5th no vote = Obama
The message is clear to future presidents. Start any lie based wars you want, sock it to the US taxpayer with the bill and we in congress will roll over for you. If i were the parents of a kid in Iraq I would say go AWOL now and we'll leave the country together, if it was good enough for the Chickenhawk in Chief to go AWOL, it's good enough for soldiers fighting this war for the corporatists and Halliburton.
Seems pretty clear the Dems are playing politics with the troops lives. They want us to really fucked come 2008 so the American people will punish the Republicans for the war, what other reason could there be? It's a disgrace.
what a bunch of fucking assholes ALL OF THEM.
it's time to clean house and get rid of the corporate slaves in congress.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070927/ap_on_el_pr/democrats_debate
Wow, so I guess when Hillary said she would "not vote" for a war funding bill she meant literally not voting...she didn't have the guts to vote no so she didn't vote? I am disappointed in all of them...........I am just sick...
meow
Fucking arseholes, cheats and liars. each is as bad as the other.
The Three
Byrd (D-WV), Nay
Coburn (R-OK), Nay
Feingold (D-WI), Nay
And here's to the A-holes who think they are responsible enough to run the country:
Biden (D-DE), Not Voting
Clinton (D-NY), Not Voting
Dodd (D-CT), Not Voting
McCain (R-AZ), Not Voting
Obama (D-IL), Not Voting
Not responsible enough to make it in to vote. I'll call these chickenshit yeas. My take? 'Not voting'-for any of you lot.
The Democrats aren't going to put an end to this (as they should as that is why they were put there), so could they at least tax the living hell out of the rich fuckers (the one million a year and up crowd), the oil companies, and the defense contractors? Make them pay the costs for their war.
Didn't Hillary just say recently she would vote to not fund the war? Oh, I get it, she said she would not vote to fund the war, as in not vote. How brave. Look at the pro-war crowd tremble at her non-existent vote....
/sarcasm
FunMe @ 17:
The expansion of the illegal wire tap bill was just a tip of the iceberg.
Out of all the senators we have, 100, is Russ Feingold the only individual in the lot with character and a spine? 1 person out of 100? That's pretty bad odds to passing legislation good for the country.
Mr Pelicano @ 31:
STOP SHOPPING. It sounds too simple, but that's how you stop the flow of money to the corporations. Think about it: 2/3 of your economy os based on consumer spending. That's why Bush always says, "Keep shopping." (Have you noticed?) Buy only what you ABSOLUTELY need and encourage your friends to do the same. Make Christmas gifts, exchange vouchers for services, donate to an NGO. Don't give them their Christmas spending orgasm. Watch Wall Street beg.
This site is always worth a peek:
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
FunMe @ 17:
Excellent synopsis. I wish everyone understood this.
Chock up another victory for the CFR/Trilateral Commission,AIPAC,PNAC, Bilderberg branches of the NWO.
They have got you all conned into thinking there are two competing parties....WHEN THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS OTHERWISE.
Its time to get rid of them all and do a major overhaul.
dadams @ 57:
There is only two possible ways to do this.... not vote for any incumbent (but the corporate machine will submit two fixed fighters again as they usually do) or do as Jefferson suggested.
Water the tree of liberty.
even Boxer voted for it.........................see ya Babs...your not getting my vote again.......or my wife's......I was already over Feinstein
the democrats got shit in thier blood and thier hearts pump piss! were sold out thiers more repubs in the dem party then dems!
Truth be Told @ 68:
Not all of us. I have been saying that there's no difference for decades myself.
In fact there have been many flame wars here between those of us calling the dems no alternative and those who DO believe there's a difference
It's offensive you tar us all with the same brush.
When is every Democrat in America going to tell their Rep and Senator that they are sitting home on election day unless they do something to end the War NOW! Support has to be earned. Being the lessor of two evils does not get the vote any longer. These cowards are complicit in the slaughter that is Iraq everyday.
jack jett wrote in # 30
Actually, doesn't it require only one to put a secret hold on a bill? It works for the Republicans, why hasn't anyone ONE of our wonderful congress members thought of that? Don't we win by default if the funding never gets authorized?
At least now I can stop deluding myself into thinking someone will be held accountable for all the war crimes that have been comittted. Bush/Cheney and all the rest of the neo-war-criminals are not only going to get away scott-free, they are going to profit handsomely from this.
As expected, US Americans are US Americans. Democrats or Republicans. It makes no difference. The world is tired of you, and your days are numbered.
hadenuf @ 35:
No difference, except the Russian people knew their system and media were rigged. Ours still thinks it has a republic with competing parties.
It couldn't be any further from the truth at the national level.
Vote 3rd party and withhold your income tax in escrow accounts (dispute what you owe in other words).
Yup, yup.........It's ALWAYS something, isn't it? There is always something that seems to stand in the dem's way of accomplishing an end to Bushes bloody folly. We're being played.....it's all smoke and mirrors. Well more correctly, they are playing with the lives of our kids and they are using OUR money to do it with.
Canuknotusa @ 76:
*waiting for the Canadian invasion so you can fix things*
No deluding yourselves any more kids, they spit on you and are laughing about it at the party tonight.
There will be no accountability moment. Just the inevitable slow slide to fascism, economic collapse and international condemnation.
If you can get a residency Visa elsewhere, do it now. The country you grew up in is dead.
Symes @ 81:
I almost agree. Ever since I began learning the truth, especially about 9-11, I have come to accept that there will not be a Normandy Beach for America. Instead, it will have to be a 1776.
Going to another country will not help, there are too few under the New World Order umbrella of control, and those that aren't, are on the target list for future operations.
I just can't understand wtf this bill is all about, or what the Dems are thinking.
They gave Bush every penny of the money he was asking for, but they might get to tell him how to spend it. If they can make Bush bring the troops home and not allow him to spend it on combat (& if that's the case, where the hell have the Dems been explaining that aspect to us?), then it might not be so bad, but I sure as hell won't hold my breath.
Disappointed. :(
Truth be Told @ 82:
True enough, but it is preferable to get some distance from the hornets then to remain with ones hands inside the nest itself.
Europe itself is under the influence, but not so much that a US economic collapse and military threat won't rouse it from it's sleep. It looks to be coming round even now, only the UK remains a staunch ally in the old sense.
My two Senators, Pelosi and Feinstein, have shown me nothing but contempt with their recent votes. Especially Feinstein, who isn't up for reelection until 2012 and probably won't even run again as she is 74. I would rather have a full on bigoted Republican in the Senate as then at least I could expect their vote to match what they say rather than the feeling of constant betrayal.
kaT @ 19:
Thanks for this bit of sunshine. I sure hope you're right!
Buckeye Nut Schell @ 74:
That would be political suicide. No funding bill at all would not just cut off the funding they need to keep the war going, but also the money they would need to bring the troops home, but most importantly it would also immediately stop all military payroll. Bush and the GOP would have a field day blaming the Dems for not paying the troops and abandoning them in Iraq while their bills at home don't get paid & their homes start to get foreclosed on, etc. I don't see that happening in any scenario.
Smack_dab @ 85:
Pelosi is in Congress, but the feeling still applies. Feinstein's married to a war profiteer and is about as progressive as albright, reno or thatcher.
Well, I don't know about you, but I can't think of a better use of $150 billion.
xargaw @ 73:
yeah! and blackwater is getting fatter checks for genocidal war crimes and also shooting at
american troops(they've been vewy kwiet about that part. In afghanistan AND in baghdad.)
If, as Harry Reid says in the article, that this "bill authorizes the money to be spent, it does not guarantee it; Bush will have to wait until Congress passes a separate appropriations bill before war funds are transferred to military coffers." and that they can still direct "that the money be spent on bringing troops home instead of combat; setting a date when money for the war is cut off, and identifying a goal to end the war to try to pressure Bush to bring troops home," then I'm thinking this isn't so bad at all.
But that's a really big if, and there hasn't been any sign that the Dems will be able to follow through like that. They sure haven't done so thus far since taking the majority.
Now the war has been funded for the next 12 months.
Our Democratic \"representatives\" are helping loot the treasury, stuffing treasure in the pocke