"Support the Troops, but not their welfare!"
I don't typically post specifically on the Iraq War and this will not be the beginning of a trend. However, I had to comment on recent votes in the Senate. If Republicans cannot even support a measure giving troops the same amount of rest time as combat time, they really cannot seriously claim to "support the troops." If it is acceptable for Republicans to consistently question the support of democrats, then turnabout is fair play in the case of this bill. It is increasingly clear that Republicans have little interest in protecting the mental and physical welfare of our men and women in uniform!
Senate rejects attempt to regulate combat tours
Blockage of bill a defeat for Democrats struggling to challenge Bush on Iraq
Updated: 5:53 p.m. CT Sept 19, 2007
WASHINGTON - The Senate blocked legislation Wednesday that would have regulated the amount of time troops spent in combat, a blow for Democrats struggling to challenge President Bush’s Iraq policies.
The 56-44 vote was four votes short of reaching the 60 needed to cut off debate. It was the second time in as many months that the bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., was sidetracked. In July, a similar measure fell four votes short of advancing.
Failure of the bill was a sound defeat for Democrats, who have been unable to pass significant anti-war legislation by a veto-proof majority since taking control of Congress in January. Webb’s measure was seen as having the best chance at attracting the 60 votes needed to pass because of its pro-military premise.
The bill would have required that troops spend as much time at home training with their units as they spend deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Members of the National Guard or Reserve would be guaranteed three years at home before being sent back.
Most Army soldiers now spend about 15 months in combat with 12 months home.
“I think it’s very important that we just put a safety net under our troops,” said Webb, a Vietnam veteran and former Navy secretary.
There is some additional analysis on dailykos:
The Filibuster: now painless and more convenient than ever!
