WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate today voted to continue funding, without restrictions, the war in Iraq. But the number of senators voting against unrestricted funding continues to build, a signal that Congress is beginning to acknowledge Americans’ staunch opposition to the war, which has now entered its sixth year.
“The writing is on the wall,” said USAction Program Director Alan Charney. “Even before a new administration and a new Congress are sworn into office, Congressional leaders are edging toward putting a stop to the endless, needless and costly Iraqi war.”
Charney criticized the Senate majority for handing President Bush yet another blank check when it comes to funding the war – the bill passed today contains no timetable for withdrawal, no ban on torture, and no restrictions on the number of times troops may be deployed without rest.
At the same time, however, he praised the Senate majority for voting 75-22 to make it easier for veterans returning from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and their family members to attend college. Twenty-five Republicans joined Democrats in approving the aid for veterans as well as extending unemployment insurance benefits in the midst of an economic downturn.
“With today’s vote, President Bush is more isolated than ever before, and he increasingly is becoming isolated even within his own party,” Charney said.
Today’s Senate vote comes a week after the U.S. House, for the first time ever, voted to cut off funding for the war in Iraq. The House also approved funds for veterans’ college benefits, extending unemployment insurance, and at the same time put significant restrictions on President Bush’s war policy, including a timeline for withdrawal.
