Reaction Of Senator Patrick Leahy
To Republican Leaders’ Blocking Of A Senate Debate
On The House-Passed Resolution Of Disapproval
Of The President’s Escalation In Iraq
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007

[Though a majority of the Senate supported debating and voting on the House-passed resolution against the escalation of the war in Iraq (in a vote of 56 to 34), the Senate Republican leadership Saturday succeeded in blocking the debate by holding the vote below the 60 vote supermajority needed to proceed to the resolution.   Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) voted with the majority in support of the resolution.  Leahy’s reaction to the vote is below:] 

“If anything, this debate is four years overdue.  Delaying this debate is a disservice to our troops and their families and to Vermonters and ordinary Americans everywhere who have stood up to demand a change of course in Iraq. 

 “We must keep pushing to bring our troops home, and I hope the Senate soon will rise to the occasion and once again accept the role it so often has served, as the conscience of the nation.  We have the power to bring the troops home and it is time to use it.”

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