Blocking a symbolic vote on the Iraq war once was a politically appropriate move by Senate Republicans, who are adjusting to their roles as minority members of the chamber.
Doing it twice, however, denies Americans the much-needed debate they want and deserve on the unpopular war.
When Republicans were defeated in pivotal races across the country last fall, voters loudly declared their dissatisfaction with the direction of our country and the ongoing war in Iraq. The majority of the Americans no longer support the war, and they had tired of the GOP-controlled Congress’ hands-off approach. Saturday, a majority of Republicans in the U.S. Senate shamefully resurrected that do-nothing agenda by blocking debate on a resolution that challenges President Bush’s plan to expand the war.
With a vote of 56 to 34, Democrats were a few votes shy of the 60 needed to ensure debate on the nonbinding resolution passed by the House last Friday. The resolution expresses ongoing support for the troops but opposes Bush’s decision to add 21,500 more, mostly to safeguard Baghdad.
In an initial vote Feb. 5, two Republicans joined the Democrats in voting for debate. In the second tally, five more voted for debate. Even though he needs only a few more sensible Republicans to join his side, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada says he probably won’t bring back the issue when the Senate returns. We think that’s unfortunate, because the House of Representatives has added some value to the process.
Even though the measure is non-binding, the debate alone will send a strong message to President Bush that Congress has quit its rubber-stamp attitude. Americans are looking for some type of exit strategy from Iraq, not a troop build-up that will stretch U.S. forces too thin.
If the resolution returns, we urge Wayne Allard to join fellow Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar in voting to allow for the debate. He has turned himself into a lame duck, but even so, his constituents are looking for Congress to engage the White House on Iraq issues, not stifle any discussion. Congress will soon consider Bush’s request for $100 billion in extra money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for this year. Though some senators want to cut off Iraq funding and withdraw U.S. forces, Sens. Carl Levin and Joe Biden are considering an approach that could narrow the U.S. mission and withdraw the free hand that Congress gave President Bush in 2002. It would be a worthy debate for Congress to have.
