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US Senate blocks vote on Iraq war | |
(about 10 hours later) | |
The US Senate has decided not to debate a resolution criticising President George W Bush's troop surge in Iraq. | |
The rare Saturday session followed a non-binding vote backing the resolution in the House of Representatives. | |
In the House, 17 Republicans had joined the majority Democrats to oppose the increase of 21,500 troops. | |
Democrats needed the support of 60 of the 100 senators to advance the same motion in the Senate, but they only managed to gain 56 votes in favour. | |
Mr Bush still faces battles with Congress over funding for US troops in Iraq. | |
Although both the Congressional resolutions are non-binding, the president needs the legislators to support his $93bn (£48bn) emergency troop-funding measure. | Although both the Congressional resolutions are non-binding, the president needs the legislators to support his $93bn (£48bn) emergency troop-funding measure. |
The White House has dismissed the vote, and warned Congress against trying to cut off funding. | The White House has dismissed the vote, and warned Congress against trying to cut off funding. |
Under Mr Bush's new Iraq strategy, 21,500 extra troops are being sent, mostly to the capital Baghdad, to help enforce new security measures. | Under Mr Bush's new Iraq strategy, 21,500 extra troops are being sent, mostly to the capital Baghdad, to help enforce new security measures. |
'More war or less war' | |
A vote in support of the troops that is silent on the question of funds is an attempt to have it both ways Republican Mitch McConnell class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6370459.stm">Text of resolution | |
Senate Democrats were hoping to repeat their Friday success in the House, when the motion criticising the president's Iraq policy was passed by 246 votes to 182. | |
"Today's vote is an opportunity to send a powerful message," said Democrat majority leader, Senator Harry Reid, during an emotional discussion. | |
"The Senate's responsibility must be to vote on escalation, whether the so-called surge is supported or opposed. This is the choice. More war, or less war," the Democrat leader told the Senate. | |
Republicans sought debate on a different motion, which would have ruled out any budget cuts affecting troops already in Iraq. | |
"A vote in support of the troops that is silent on the question of funds is an attempt to have it both ways," said Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader. | |
Only seven Republicans broke ranks with the party, and so the Democrats failed to reach the 60 votes needed to pass the motion. | |
'Tragic goal' | 'Tragic goal' |
The House vote on Friday in support of the non-binding motion brought to a close the first full debate there since the Democrats took control of Congress in November. | |
Speaking after the vote, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it would send an unmistakable signal to the White House. | Speaking after the vote, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it would send an unmistakable signal to the White House. |
"The bipartisan resolution today may be non-binding. But it will send a strong message to the president - we here in Congress are committed to protecting and supporting our troops." | "The bipartisan resolution today may be non-binding. But it will send a strong message to the president - we here in Congress are committed to protecting and supporting our troops." |
House Minority Leader John Boehner had urged lawmakers to vote against the motion, saying it was "the first step towards a tragic, unthinkable goal". | House Minority Leader John Boehner had urged lawmakers to vote against the motion, saying it was "the first step towards a tragic, unthinkable goal". |