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The appropriations amendment granting 162.5 billion dollars more for operations in Iraq failed to pass the House today. Eighty-five Democrats voted with fifty-six Republicans for a total of 141 votes for the amendment. The congressional Progressive Caucus hung together and with other Democrats and two Republicans cast 147 votes to defeat the amendment. Whether 132 House Republicans abstained in today's vote in a protest against Pelosi's parliamentary procedures or to distance themselves from the president is yet to be determined. Either way, it worked to allow the House to finally vote against funding for the occupation of Iraq.
Congressional Prgressive Caucus Co-Chair and PDA advisory board member Rep. Lynn Woolsey said, "Today the House took the bold step of standing up to President Bush, and rejected yet another blank check for his failed occupation of Iraq. Instead, we sent a message to the President that we will no longer stand idly by as his head in the sand approach to Iraq continues to drive our country straight into the ground.
"While much of the attention will inevitably be focused on the parliamentary shenanigans of the House Republicans, what's really important is that this vote shows that if the President won't bring our troops home from Iraq, the Democrats will," she concluded.
On the second amendment with the various policy provisions concerning no permanent bases, no torture, and other provisions, passed 227 to 196. Eight Republicans voted for it and thirteen Democrats voted against the amendment.
Amendment #3 passed, which would provide funding for unemployment benefits and other urgent domestic needs, in a 256 to 166 vote. Seven Democrats voted against it.
The bill will soon be taken up in the Senate, but until then progressives should recognize this as a win. At long last, the House has finally said "NO" in large part because we have vigilant in our opposition to war.
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