The hemming and hawing over Bush’s anticipated plans for an escalation in Iraq by the end of the month is in play, with high-ranking Democratic Senator Carl Levin of Michigan suggesting he may sign on. The mind simply boggles.
On the Republican side, there is a lot of responsible-sounding, non-committal chest thumping that will inevitably end with everyone dutifully falling into line with Bush (with the possible exception of Oregon Senator Gordon Smith).
So who are we counting on, here?
Newly elected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hedged a bit, was was pretty specific in her recent threat against it:
In an interview in her new office at the capitol, Pelosi told reporters, including KCBS’ Doug Sovern, that a troop surge translates to an escalation of the war in Iraq. She said sending more forces is the exact opposite of what most Americans want and the White House can’t expect the new Congress to approve money for the action.
“They have to know that the election of a Democratic Congress has made a difference in the oversight of in war in Iraq.”
Pelosi said she is not willing to cut off money for the whole war, but will demand justification for any new funding.
That’ll be hard to step away from. Many other House Dems (such as Murtha and Blumenauer) are with her on this.
Her counterpart in the Senate, Harry Reid of Nevada, has sounded less solid in the last several days – but most recently gave reason for optimism:
In a blunt challenge to President Bush, the leader of the Senate’s new Democratic majority said Monday he will “look at everything” within his power to wind down the war in Iraq, short of cutting off funding for troops already deployed.
“I think we’ve got to tell the president what he’s doing as wrong. We’ve got to start bringing our folks home,” said Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada
Of course the big news is Senator Kennedy’s proposed of legislation to prevent this very thing:
Declaring that “American values and America’s role in the world are all at stake,” Sen. Edward M. Kennedy on Tuesday said he will lead an effort to block funding for a troop surge in Iraq “unless and until Congress approves” President Bush’s plan for such a deployment.
In a speech at the National Press Club, Kennedy, D-Mass., the No. 2 Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said he and Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., would introduce legislation later in the day aimed at forcing Bush to gain congressional consent for his new Iraq strategy, which the president plans to unveil in a televised address to the nation Wednesday night.
That’s Kennedy and Markey.
Then there’s the local team:
Vermont’s two U.S. Senators and House member said Tuesday they oppose President Bush’s plan to add more troops in Iraq, and appeared poised to support efforts to block funding for that plan.
“The president is moving in exactly the wrong direction and it’s appropriate for Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to rein him in,” independent Sen. Bernie Sanders said in an interview.
Both he and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., whose office issued a statement on the issue, said they would support a proposal by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., that would require explicit congressional approval before President Bush spends any money to support his plan to add about 20,000 more troops to Iraq.
Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said he, too, supported efforts to put the brakes on the White House. “I certainly would oppose funding for an escalation,”
The Republicans are too smart to craft tis in such a way to make it easy for queasy weeniecrats. The Kennedy legislation would be a huge tool in keeping this sort of mischief-making under some degree of control.
As an aside, expect to hear Joe Lieberman (who wasted no time breaking his campaign promise to support a troop reduction) say some of the most nauseating and revolting things imaginable on the subject.
This is going to get very complicated, so it behooves us to support our delegation in this as much as possible. Give ’em a holler and let them know you’re behind them:
Senator Leahy:
Washington office
433 Russell Senate Office Bldg
(at Constitution and Delaware)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
Burlington office
199 Main Street, 4th Floor
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-2525
1-800-642-3193
Montpelier office
P.O. Box 933
87 State Street, Room 338
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 229-0569
Senator Sanders:
United States Senate
Courtyard Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4503
DC Phone: 202-224-5141
DC Fax: 202-228-0776
District Offices:
1 Church Street, 2nd Floor
Burlington, VT 05401 Voice: 800-339-9834
FAX: 802-860-6370
167 Main Street, Suite 410
Brattleboro, VT 05301 Voice: 802-254-8732
FAX: 802-254-9207
Representative Welch:
1404 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone:(202) 225-4115
District Office:
30 Main Street
Third Floor, Suite 350
Burlington, 05401
Phone:888-605-7270