THE WAR IN IRAQ

1 A NEW DIRECTION FOR IRAQ (ROLL CALL #75)

This non-binding resolution directed Bush to begin redeployment within 120 days with the goal of withdrawing most troops by March 31, 2008.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) offered the bill, (S J Res 9). Peace Action supported. Failed 48-50.

2 TROOP REDEPLOYMENT AND A TIMELINE (RC #167)

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) joined Majority Leader Harry Reid on an amendment to start troop withdrawal within 120 days of enactment and complete it by March 31, 2008. This effort faced a filibuster and this vote was to break it.

Peace Action supported. It failed 29-67. (60 vote threshold).

3 CONGRESS BLINKS ON WAR FUNDING (RC #181)

After the president vetoed an Iraq funding bill that included a withdrawal timetable, Congress passed a compromise that offered $94 billion for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Peace Action opposed. Passed 80-14.

4 A REAL STRATEGY TO END THE WAR (RC #346)

This amendment was a high political watermark for supporters of withdrawing troops from Iraq. The plan would have started withdrawal 90 days after enactment and completed it within 9 months.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) introduced this amendment to the Defense Dept. Authorization bill (HR 1585). Peace Action supported. Failed 47-47.

5 ALL NIGHT DEBATE AND AN IRAQ FUNDING CLOTURE VOTE (RC #252)

In July, Democrats called an all night session to debate Iraq policy in an effort to challenge Republican filibuster threats. The debate centered on the Levin-Reed Amendment, which would have started withdrawal 120 days after passage and been completed by April 30, 2008.  This vote was to “invoke cloture” to allow a vote on the amendment.

Peace Action supported. The vote failed 52-47 (60 vote threshold).

6 ANOTHER TRY FOR PHASED WITHDRAWAL (RC #345)

This amendment would have barred the use of funds for troop deployment after June 30, 2008 with some exceptions. Sen. Russ Feingold offered this amendment, which was also offered as part of debate on the Defense Dept. appropriations bill (HR 3222).

Peace Action supported. Failed 28-70.

7 YET ANOTHER TRY FOR A WITHDRAWAL TIMELINE (RC #362)

Sen. Russ Feingold again offered an amendment to bar the use of funds for troop deployment after June 30, 2008 as part of debate on the DOD appropriations bill (HR 3222).

Peace Action supported. Failed 28-68.

8 IRAQ: RESPONSIBLE WITHDRAWAL (RC #437)

This amendment was another in a series that won support of only the strongest pro-withdrawal senators. It would have required withdrawal to start 90 days after enactment and be completed in 9 months. Sen. Russ Feingold offered this amendment, also offered as part of debate on the State Department and Foreign Operations appropriations bill (HR 2764).

Peace Action supported. Failed 24-71.

9 FUNDING AND NO STRINGS–AGAIN (RC #439)

By the end of 2007, Congress had tired of wrangling war funding, and this “no strings” war funding vote passed. This bill included $70 billion in funding for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) offered this amendment, which was attached to the State Department and Foreign Operations appropriations bill (HR 2764). Peace Action opposed. Passed 70-25.

SABER-RATTLING WITH IRAN

10 UNDERMINING DIPLOMACY WITH IRAN (RC #349)

This bill heightened tensions between the US and Iran, calling for the designation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. Though its most incendiary language was removed before the vote, it still set a dangerous precedent.

This amendment was sponsored by Rep. Joe Lieberman (I-CT). Peace Action opposed. Passed 76-22.

TORTURE AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

11 NOMINATION OF MICHAEL MUKASEY AS ATTORNEY GENERAL (RC #407)

Americans who want a foreign policy based on human rights have to be concerned about the use of torture. The Senate confirmation vote on Michael Mukasey became a referendum on the administration’s policies on torture. Mukasey’s answers on the issue were equivocal, and forty senators voted against his nomination.

Peace Action opposed. Passed 53-40.