• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Filibuster Over Iraq War Spurs Senate All-Nighter

Posted on: Wednesday, 18 July 2007, 06:14 CDT

By Kathy Kiely

WASHINGTON -- A measure that would withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq by April could fail in the Senate today even if a majority of lawmakers vote for it.

Supporters of the measure need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster of the pullout language. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said "there's no question" he has the votes to approve the troop withdrawal plan, proposed by Sens. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., as an amendment to the bill authorizing Pentagon programs for the next fiscal year.

He was less certain that he could overcome the procedural hurdle. "We need more Republicans," Reid said. To underscore his exasperation, Reid planned to force a rare, round-the-clock session leading up to today's vote and require opponents of the Levin-Reed amendment to remain on the Senate floor to defend their position.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said he planned to preside over the Senate from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.

Still uncertain: whether Reid will permit votes on any alternative proposals being offered by Democratic and Republican senators to force the Bush administration to change strategy in Iraq. (c) Copyright 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

More News in this Category