Wednesday, September 06, 2006

4:30 Remarks of Senator Kerry Senator Kerry was on the floor discussing Secretary Rumsfeld and his handling of the war in Iraq. He suggested that Secretary Rumsfeld ignored the recommendations of his military advisors in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq and has mismanaged the war ever since. Senator Kerry argued that the moment of accountability has come. He argued that there is a better policy to fight the war on terror around the world and that Secretary Rumsfeld is not the person to lead us in that new direction. 4:37:16 PM

3:30 Remarks of Senators Cornyn and Levin Senator Cornyn was on the floor defending the policy in Iraq and suggested that the vote of no confidence in Secretary Rumsfeld was a distraction and was not helpful in the fight against terrorism. Senator Levin responded by saying that recent comments by President Bush indicate that he is out of touch with what is happening on the ground in Iraq. He argued that our strategy in Iraq is not working and we must change direction, which includes the replacement of Secretary Rumsfeld. 3:35:12 PM

3:00 Senate Reconvenes and Debate Continues The Senate reconvened and debate continued on H.R. 5631, the Defense Appropriations bill. Senator DeMint voiced strong support of the Bush Administration and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He suggested that the attacks of September 11, 2001 were planned and financed during the Clinton Administration and it was President Bush who took decisive action to prevent terrorists from using places like Afghanistan and Iraq as staging areas in the future. He argued that Democrats stand in the way of this progress and are wasting time by criticizing President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld. Senator Durbin responded to Senator DeMint, suggesting that this debate was really about a change of direction in Iraq and the need for a new strategy. He argued that we owe it to our troops that we have the right leadership in the Pentagon and that Secretary Rumsfeld is not the right person for the job.  3:09:42 PM

12:33 Senate Fails to Pass Leahy-Feinstein Amendment By a vote of 30 to 70, the Leahy-Feinstein amendment was not agreed to. 12:34:22 PM

12:20 Senate Now Voting on Feinstein-Leahy Amendment The Senate is now voting on the Feinstein-Leahy amendment. 12:21:07 PM

12:15 Senator Stevens Expresses Opposition to Feinstein-Leahy Amendment Senator Stevens reiterated his opposition to this amendment saying that the rules of engagement properly belong with the Department of Defense and the Commander-In-Chief.  He argued that this amendment restricts the ability of our military to use the munitions to protect people in the future.  Senator Stevens added that this amendment is opposed by the Department of Defense. 12:18:00 PM

12:00 Senators Leahy and Feinstein Speak in Support of Their Amendment Senators Feinstein and Leahy spoke again on the floor today about the amendment they offered relating to the use of cluster bombs.  Senator Feinstein explained that the amendment prevents any funds from being sent to purchase, use, or transfer cluster munitions until rules of engagement have been adopted by the Department of Defense to ensure that such munitions will not be used in or near any concentration of civilians.  She argued that because of the widespread damage caused by these munitions that there ought to be specific rules of engagement which ban their use in areas where civilian death or maiming might result.  Senator Leahy echoed Senator Feinstein and added that this amendment is a moral issue and is fully consistent with international humanitarian law. To read Senator Leahy's complete, prepared remarks on the amendment, please see: http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200609/090606.html. 12:13:59 PM

11:45 Senator Dodd Speaks on Bolton's Nomination to the UN During morning business, Senator Dodd spoke about the nomination of Michael Bolton to be the permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, a position that he is currently serving after he was confirmed by a recess appointment by the President last year.  Senator Dodd is not in favor of Mr. Bolton's nomination saying that Mr. Bolton has evidenced great disdain for the UN and multilateral diplomacy generally and that Mr. Bolton's postition has not changed since he has been at the UN.  Senator Dodd called him an ineffective bully and said that he has not shown that he should be appointed permanently to this important position. 12:01:44 PM

10:45 Senate Convenes and Resumes Consideration of FY07 Defense Approps Bill The Senate convened at 9:45 this morning and, following a period of morning business, returned to the consideration of the Defense Appropriations bill.  Currently, 3 amendments are pending to the bill and there will be a vote on on of them, the Leahy-Feinstein amendment on cluster bombs, will be voted on at noon.  Following the vote, the Senate will recess from 12:30 to 2:15 for the weekly policy luncheons.  Senator Reid said that the minority will be able know for sure what amendments they are offering to the bill after the policy luncheons giving the indication that this bill will be finished late on Thursday.  10:48:43 AM