Democrats Keep Senate in Session Through the Night to Push for Troop Withdrawal in Iraq

Democrats held the Senate in a rare overnight session Tuesday in an attempt to publicize their opposition to the Iraq war and their attempts to change the President's policy. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) said the overnight session is meant to show their attempts to force a change in the Iraq war policy was being obstructed by the Republican minority. Republicans dismissed the session as political theater meant to win political support among the war-weary public ahead of next year's elections.

"Our enemies aren't threatened by talk-a-thons, and our troops deserve better than publicity stunts," said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader.

The all night debate focused mainly on an amendment to the defense bill sponsored by Armed Services Committee chair Carl Levin (D-Michigan) and Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island.) The amendment would force the President to draw down troop numbers in Iraq beginning 120 days after the enactment of the bill. The President has already said he would veto the bill should it reach his desk with the amendment.

Resigned to the fact that they wouldn't have the 60 votes needed to bring the amendment to a floor vote, Democrats chided Republicans for preventing the Senate from holding a simple majority vote on the Levin/Reed amendment, which was supported by three Republicans; Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and Chuck Hagel (R-Nebraska.) Early in the night, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) motioned twice to bring the amendment to a vote, but her motions were objected by Republicans. Democrats stood nearly united in support of the amendment and attacked both the President and the Iraqi government while advocating a withdrawal to force the Iraqis to take charge of their own country.

"The President's strategy in Iraq is the 'Maginot Line' of the 21st Century." Lectured Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)