Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Feb. 26, 2008:  Republicans support cloture on Feingold legislation, sparking Iraq War debate

Senate returns tomorrow at 9:30

[21:48]
It will conduct a period of morning business before resuming debate on the motion to proceed on S. 2633, a Feingold act that purports to provide for the safe redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq. Republicans agreed to hold debate on the measure and appear willing to subject the Senate to the maximum of 30 hours of debate. This would effectively keep the Senate occupied for all of tomorrow.

Iraq War debate delays work on housing legislation

[18:00]
Senators voted in favor of a motion to proceed to a bill offered by Russ Feingold (WI) that prohibits the Congress from authorizing funds for the purpose of deploying troops to Iraq. Instead, the legislation would initiate the redeployment of troops out of Iraq.

Initially one wonders why Republicans would support a cloture motion on such legislation. Indeed, most votes against the motion were from Democrats.

However, successful cloture on a motion to proceed to a piece of legislation is an agreement to spend a maximum of 30 hours of debate on a bill. In this case, the Republicans welcomed debate on the War in Iraq. They are apparently willing to force the Senate to spend the maximum 30 hours of post-cloture debate on the legislation, effectively preventing the Senate from proceeding to any other legislation. Democrats had planned to hold a cloture vote on a motion to proceed to legislation allowing courts to reconfigure home mortgage terms to stave off foreclosures.

So, this afternoon has seen a back-and-forth between senators of the two parties debating Iraq policy among other things. Johnny Isakson refuted a Democratic claim that the Bush administration had no policy in the war on terror. We do have a policy, said Isakson, It's called pre-emption. And as far as Isakson can tell, it's working pretty well. He pointing to the absence of attacks post-9/11.

Lindsey Graham (SC) spoke directly to the troops, urging them to know that they had support back home. He argued that the surge was working and that the U.S. was indeed winning in Iraq.

Amy Klobuchar (MN) followed with an address focused much moreso on the economy than on Iraq policy.

I'm not going to say that the Republicans "tricked" the Democrats into an extended vote on Iraq but I am scratching my head as to why the Democrats wanted to bring on 30 hours of Iraq-related debate only to talk about economic issues. I'm really thinking that the Democrats aren't quite sure where they want to take the Senate ship.

Afternoon cloture vote on foreclosure rescue plan

[13:46]
The Senate is currently on lunch recess. This afternoon, though, senators will be voting for cloture on a motion to proceed to legislation that would allow bankruptcy judges to lower the amount of principal homeowners owe on their mortgages. That is, the judges could reduce the principal that borrowers owe to their banks. Lenders are not in support of the legislation. NPR reported that Republicans also generally oppose the legislation. Democrats will need to round up 60 total votes for a successful cloture motion. Consider that Barack Obama (IL), Hillary Clinton (NY), Christopher Dodd (CT), and Joe Lieberman (CT) were no votes on Indian health care this morning. Unless some of those Dems return to the capitol this afternoon, forget about 60 votes for anything.

Warner back in the hospital

[13:51]
John Warner (VA) was admitted to the hospital today for observation following an irregular heartbeat. He spent time in the hospital in October 2007 with the same condition. He was a no-vote this morning. It is unclear when he will return to the Senate.

Indian Health Care Act passes the Senate, 83-10.

There were seven no votes. The legislation extends the laws governing health care for Native Americans, and includes some improvements. The ten no votes were: Allard (CO),
Coburn (OK), Corker (TN), DeMint (SC), Graham (SC), Gregg (NH), Inhofe (OK), Sessions (AL), Sununu (NH), and Vitter (LA). These are fiscal conservatives, some with Indian country in their states. Of course, as I heard in debate about the bill, many Native Americans are today living in urban areas.

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