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Reid threatens cloture unless GOP drops stand |
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By Elana Schor
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Posted: 07/17/07 07:17 PM [ET] |
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said yesterday he would move to cut off debate on the majority’s showpiece Iraq withdrawal plan — Reid’s second straight cloture filing on the defense authorization bill — unless Republicans reconsider their insistence on 60-vote margins to approve war amendments.
“The American people deserve an up-or-down vote on this amendment, which we believe will lead to a responsible end to this intractable war in Iraq,” Reid said on the floor, referring to a proposal from Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to begin redeploying troops from Iraq within 120 days.
Reid offered straight up-or-down votes on the Levin-Reed language and a GOP alternative written by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), vowing to file for cloture on the former if Republicans continue to object to that arrangement. The impasse, which was unresolved as of press time, signaled little end in sight for the partisan tension that has slowed progress on the defense bill.
In addition to the Levin-Reed amendment, at least six high-profile amendments remain on the schedule for this week. Reid said the Senate may stay in session very late tonight until agreement is reached.
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