Talking Points for 2/07

Senate Republicans are blocking a debate on the war in Iraq. By voting against debating the war, Senate Republicans have voted to endorse President Bush's plan to escalate the war. Congress owes it to the American people to have a real debate on the President's flawed policies. Republicans can cut and run, but they can't hide from this important debate.



Iraq

Senate Republicans are blocking a debate on the war in Iraq. Their vote against debating the war in the Senate is a vote to support President Bush's escalation of the war.

Senate Republicans care more about giving the President political cover than about having a debate. They owe it to the American people to allow this debate to begin.

Republicans are hiding behind process, but their claims are not credible. Democrats have offered Senate Republicans votes on several of their resolutions but they will not take yes for an answer.

Senate Democrats have offered Republicans:

A simple up or down vote on the McCain/Graham resolution supporting the President's plan, and the Warner/Levin resolution in opposition. The offer was rejected.

Up or down votes on a packet of four resolutions, including the Gregg resolution and a resolution stating simply that the Senate does not support the surge and demands that the troops deploying to Iraq receive the body armor and other equipment they need. That, too, was rejected.

Supermajority votes on the bipartisan Warner resolution and the McCain/Graham resolution that would each have required sixty votes, that offer was also rejected.

An overwhelming majority of the American public have called for a change of course in Iraq. The President and now Senate Republicans refuse to listen. They can run, but they can't hide.

The American people deserve to know where every member of Congress stands on the President's plan to escalate the war. Republicans should stop blocking a debate on the most important issue facing America today.