Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

DEMOCRAT from MI:This congress has not served as a check. This GOP congres sonly interested in covering up for the administration...
This is the best you can do? This resolution? That's it? This is what American people get for all they've gone through, all the sacrifices they've made?

All of us will vote against it because it does not provide for the safe and orderly withdraw of our forces.

To the GOP, Jack Murtha is not afraid of you. Faced worse than your pathetic smears. If you truly oppose this resolution, if you honor our soldiers, if you want to hold the administration accountable like we're supposed to do, oppose the rule. To vote for this rule is to politicize this rule. All of us should not want to politicize this war. To do so is tragic.

By moving ahead, we demean the service of our soliders, their families, this institution. This isn't about a game of gotcha, this is about war.

For the sake of collegiality, civility, and doing the right thing, vote down this rule. Let's give the people what they deserve--a real, honest debate on Iraq.

4:40 pm: Vote on Amendment: The Amendment is offered by Gingrey of Georgia to add "a resolution relating to US forces in Iraq."

Reserve the right to object.

Jackson Lee(D) is asking if the amendment succeeds, can the resolution still be withdrawn? Chair responds he doesn't know what she's asking. Chair says yes.

On whether the amendment should be considered today: No was MUCH louder, but Ayes have it. Dems asking for roll call.

Speaker moves on to adoption of the resolution: No was MUCH louder. Nos have it. Yeas and neas requested. Vote will take 15 minutes

CSPAN CALLERS: A military member calls in, and makes the good point of since when do emails from a captain dictate how Congress should act? GOP callers are spitting the talking points. One caller says to have election too "kick out all of them." Um..that's what midterms are for? A GOPer calls up, his son is serving. He says as the father of a military person, for the servicement to hear the Democrats call Bush a liar is "disgusting." Basically, Republican callers are merely professing faith in their Dear Leader and painting the Democrats as traitors.

LOL. A lady called up and said the Democrats are "cowards and traitors." Lots of Republican callers, you think the debate struck a nerve? ;)

Wow, this is better than stand up. A Republican caller called "damn liberals" cowards, and said the only decent Democrat is Joe Liberman, and if a Republican isn't president, Liberman should be president. hehe. He called us a bunch of Communists, terrorists love us, etc. "I am so enraged, so enra--." They cut him off :)

As a general observation, Democratic CSPAN callers sound much more rational and calm. Republican CSPAN callers sound like their heads are going to explode.

4:56 pm: A Republican caller says "we haven't lost anything yet. And we outta wipe out Syria." Um. ok. This call was followed by a Republican who supports the Democrats. He's a Vietnam Vet who thinks the Dem position is stronger, called GOP tactic "disgusting" and said he'll support Dems with his vote.

5:00 PM: Vote is almost complete. There are 29 votes unaccounted for. Remember, this is a procedural vote to determine whether the amendment should be considered today. If it passes, then debate will ensue on the amendment proper.

CSPAN caller likens this to Vietnam. He says every death in Iraq from now on is the fault of the Congress. (?)

Another CPSAN caller spews the usual mantra of "liberals, communists, traitors, and cowards." Yet another caller through, a Republican, is siding with the Dems on this issue and makes the point that Iraq had nothing to do with Al Qaeda, he calls the war "worthless" and "just like Vietnam." He was quite an articulate Republican, said he was "ashamed of President Bush and his party."

5:06 pm: Motion passed, motion to reconsider laid on the table. 6 GOP defectors.

S. 1281 is now being considered, it's a NASA bill. No objections to consideration, passed. It appears that this is a break of sorts before the Hunter resolution is considered. The floor is quite noisy...

5:13 PM: Democratic talking points from Pelosi here (doc).

5:17 PM: In the meantime, check out the awesome closing of McGovern, who said Murtha isn't afraid of the GOP. Hat tip liveoaktx at DU.

5:20 PM: Frank: We're killing time while you figure out what to do with that foolish resolution of yours.

5:22 PM: Tom Paine presents the excellent option of turning the tables on the GOP. Instead of voting against the resolution or for it, Democrats should vote "PRESENT."

5:25 PM: VIDEO of Jean Shit-- er, Schmidt who called Murtha a coward and had to retract.

5:32 PM:  House has gone into recess subject to the call of the chair. 

5:34 PM:  Story up on vote, here's an excerpt:

The fiery, emotional debate climaxed when Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, the most junior member of the House, told of a phone call she received from a Marine colonel.

"He asked me to send Congress a message - stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message - that cowards cut and run, Marines never do," Schmidt said.

Democrats booed and shouted her down - causing the House to come to a standstill.

Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., charged across the chamber's center aisle screaming that it was an uncalled for personal attack. "You guys are pathetic. Pathetic," yelled Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass.

5:48 PM:  Use the House recess downtime to contact Rep. Schmidt's office and express your anger at her outrageous behavior:

 The Honorable Jean Schmidt
United States House of Representatives
238 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3502
DC Phone: 202-225-3164
DC Fax: 202-225-1992
Email Address: http://www.house.gov/schmidt/contact/index.shtml
WWW Homepage: http://www.house.gov/schmidt/

6:07 PM: Erin Billings, CSPAN Roll Call reporter, is clueless. She just said the resolution "mirrors" Murtha's resolution. Democrats are "struggling" with policy.

6:13 PM:  Lou Dobb's poll shows a full 85% agreeing with the Murtha Modeal, an Iraq pullout in 6 months

6:33 PM:  A Schmidt quote for you, circa Sept. 6, 2005, when she took her oath as a Representative:

 This House has much work to do. On that we can all agree. We will not always agree on the details of that work. Honorable people can certainly agree to disagree. However, here today I accept a second oath. I pledge to walk in the shoes of my colleagues and refrain from name-calling or the questioning of character . It is easy to quickly sink to the lowest form of political debate. Harsh words often lead to headlines, but walking this path is not a victimless crime. This great House pays the price.

 7:00 PM: House reconvenes.  Gingrey is on, makes it into an issue of supporting vs. not supporting troops.

"Their nation called upon them for help. They answered that call, left families to fight war on foreign soil to fight enemy that despised them, to fight tyrannt Saddam who would have sought the destruction of the west. This tyrrant was and is an enemy of liberty and he had to be stopped....Some members imply President misled nation and they want withdraw, ceding victory to the enemy. Besmirches mission, besmirches sacrifice.

 7:05 PM: Slaughter (D): The speed with which the majority has sought to challenge Murtha's statements prove what he said resonated with American people. Over 60% think Iraq is in the wrong direction. He spoke for majority. Not cowardice, not lack of resolve. Rather, they follow from logical assessment of expert.

Attacks amount to nothing more but another Swiftboat attack. They have chosen a formidable target. Unlike Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, and most people in House, Murtha knows combat. At a time when many others were skirting responsibility of going to Vietnam, he served. He visits hospitals, listens to soldiers, sees wounds.

He spoke for American people when he said to change direction..No matter the attacks of the majority, reality on the ground is obvious. America's occupation will not bring stability, our forces are drawing fire, not suppressing it. Our presence is a catalyst for all those wishing to do us and Iraq harm...We can no  longer continue on this failing path, unwaivering, with no end in sight...We must chart a new course. 

7:09 PM: Pitts (R): Murtha call brings back outrage from Vietnam, when as a soldier he heard Washington officials exploit war for political purposes....This is just attemt to undermine Bush.Emboldens terrorists. Troops not occupiers, but liberators. Freedom is not free.

7:15 PM: SKELTON (D): In rush to floor, resolution before us, any country lawyer can say it is flawed. No mention of redeployment. Remember 1978, Congressman Montgomery led us to Vietnam to bring back remains of those who died in combat. Murtha treated 14 coffins with reverence.  I have proposal, I sent letter to Bush on Oct. 20.  No hearing on this resolution or similar issues. Mistakes made, like allowing looting, disbanding army, no one has spoken of the success that is needed in Iraq. Whether I agree with Murtha, and I don't, because my formula is the best, we must do our best to have success and proper redeployment.

7:19 PM: Barrett (R): "Don't believe all the crap on TV.  All the crap on the news."  I've seen Iraq, leaders, people. Faces here tonight are not faces like me, gray hair. They're 18, 19 year old heroes...I will not cut and run on people of Iraq, soldiers, USA. Let's not talk about exit strategy, let's talk about freedom, democracy, victory.

7:22 PM: Watt (D): Speaking on behalf of the Black Caucus.  Votes tonight will not be mischaracterized, misinterpreted. As early as July 7, 2005 top commander in Iraq said troops could withdraw as early as in spring.  Quotes Iraq government official, "time is right" for transition. Reiterate position from Oct. 2002. Urge Bush to end deployment of forces, submit to congress detailed plan to withdraw and redeploy. No permanent military bases in Iraq. Our vote tonight, 42 of them, will not be misinterpreted.

7:23 PM: DIAZ-BALART (R): Message gone out to world press that there is a serious diminution in support for the mission and our troops. Resolution needed to clear confusion.  

 7:24 PM: CROWLEY (D):  Republicans doing what they do best: create smokescreen to hide fact admistration lied country into war. This is a device to divide Americans. Will not stand here and have GOP question patriotism of Murtha or any Dem. Republican caucus is "pathetic."

7:26 PM: BROWN-WAITE (R): Troops say we can't leave. We do have an exit strategy: when Iraqis stand up, we stand down.

7:27 PM: KUCINICH (D): Wake up America. American people are fed up with politicians who do one thing and say another.  American people deserve real debate. Where are the WMD? Where is Osama? Where is the oversight?

'They took John Kerry on a swiftboat, we won't let them take Murtha, or the American people too." 

7:29 PM: MILLER (R): When Iraqi forces, our troops will come home. Question is pull out troops before mission accomplished? Consequences is empowering terrorists, Iraq will devolve into anarchy. If President lied, why didn't he plant WMD? They looked at same intelligence. 

7:31 PM: EDWARDS (D): Every member has 7.8 seconds to speak. This process, especially without a single hearing, does a diservice to the enormity of the issue of war and peace before us, to integrity of this house, and to sacrifice.
 

7:33 PM: RENZI (R): My dad friend with Murtha for over 20 years. His resolution calls for redeployment. Hunter's talks about withdraw. Media may have taken Jack's idea and spun it into immediate withdraw. There have been individuals who are inciteful, we have "tough guys" in the house. Berger said Saddam will use WMD...9/11 commission said no evidence of manipulation.  Tough guys saying President manipulated evidence is "a bold faced deception."

7:38 PM: EMMANUEL (D): Two vets, one R, one D, came to same conclusion: present course not succeeding. Both Hagel and Murtha say doing the same is not enough. Bush's policies not succeeding. All we are offered is more of the same. Policy void of leading us to strategy of success. Not about relitigating the past. Not about how we got in, but how we get out with victory. I would think that after a series of the last 2.5 years, what we can be criticized for is not for raising questions, but NOT raising questions. We've given admistration $450 billion. We've appropriated, but we haven't had oversight. That's where the fault lies in the house. What do we have $450 billion, 200,000 troops in Iraq, 15,000 wounded, and a SINGLE iraqi batallion to show for it? We abdicated our resonsibility. For 2.5 years, this Congress was silent in its role. American people have demanded we speak up. Whether kevlar vests, Humvees, Rumsfeld who said only 75,000 troops needed, or myth of 7 day war, troops need strategy.

7:39 PM: WILSON (R): We understand we must face enemy there or face them here in streets of America.

7:41 PM:  KING (R): 25,000 wounded vs. 15,000 from said side of the aisle. But why no objections to operations in Afghanistan? No one saying what is too many lives lost in Afghanistan. We've erased some habitat that breeds terror. Can't separate mission from troops. No attacks here since 9/11. You can't ask someone to die for your freedom and not support them.

7:44 PM:  BIGGERT (R): This is about communicating to world where members stand. We visited Iraq, met women who ran for office.  Told harrowing stories. These brave women told us repeatedly do not leave us, not until we have stable government. Do not leave us like in 1990.

7:46 PM: TANCREDO (R): Let's think about what we've accomplished. 47 countries restablish Iraq embassies. 20 universities, 4 research centers, Fullbright program, Iraqi navy operational, Iraqi Air force has 3 squandrons, has counterterrorism unit, there are 55,000 trained and equipped police officer, 3,500 new officers/week, free media. I want Americans home and safe.  A knife goes through your heart everytime you hear report of death. I want them home--as soon as their mission is completed. I do not want mission extended by one hour or minute by what we do here. "Not a secret that I am not in the best of terms with the President and White House. I don't get invited over there, opposition to many of his plans." I beg for you not to let your hatred for Bush to get in the way of your basic love for this country. 

7:50 PM: JONES (R): My heart has ached today more than 12 years I've been in congress. Murtha has been under attack unfairly. If you haven't worn the uniform, if you have, you have right to express  yourself. James Webb, Sec. of Navy, under Reagan, when I joined HRES 55, he wrote me 'When American citizens are asked to war, it is their most basic right that strategic issues be explained in clearly undertandly terms. If import cannot be explained, there is not real strategy. That is what Murtha is asking for. Tell us what the strategy is. Ironic we're having debate tonight, because on Apr. 9, 1999 Gov. Bush criticized Clinton for no strategy: "Victory means exit strategy, it's important for Pres. to explain to us what that strategy is."  "Important to have Pres. lay out timetable." That's Gov. Bush asking Clinton. We're asking Bush the same thing he asked Clinton. 

GINGREY (R): This resolution is about those Islamofacists and terrorists... 

7:51 PM:  FRELINGHUYSEN (R): This debate emboldens terrorists. We cannot cut feet out from troops.

7:54 PM:  GREEN (R): This debate is not about Iraq War, but silencing dissent. I've voting against this resolution, I voted for the war. It's civilian leadership that did not prepare to fight the war. I may not totally agree with Murtha, but he is a respected, decorated war vet, and earned right to make opinion without resolution attacking him.

GIBBONS (R): As a vet, I know military watches us to see whether we have the political fortitude to support their actions. I've been to Iraq/Afghanistan. They know, they see, they hear. Do you want to send them a message of surrender?

7:56 PM: LEWIS (R): How do you withdraw from War on Terror? We've been attacked over and over and over again. How do you tell Osama and Zarqawi we don't want to fight? Last administration did that. We have to win in Iraq. We won the war in Iraq, now we are fighting with our allies to defeat terror. What happens if Pakistan falls, Saudi Arabia falls? WMD in hands of extreme Islamists.... 

7:57 PM: GILCHREST (R): Reads name of soldiers. What are the quick and the dead asking us to do? No more than they did. Why are they successful? they bond together, bound with trust. Let us debate how to finish the war, not how to continue to fight it. 

8:00 PM: MILLER (D): Murtha has come under unreleting attack from Pres. VP, Speaker, and so many here who challenged his patriotism, integrity, and character because he simply dared to kick open the door of Congress and have us debate what Americans want us to debate. He was slandered. I don't know where we went wrong. I went through the debates in Vietnam and South America, and Murtha and I were opposite sides of the issue, but NEVER did people there assassinate character. We challenged basis, facts, but never character assassination. Where did we go wrong? (Speaks over booing/ applause) 

8:02 PM: ROHRABACHER (R): This is selective memory at worst. Crying crocodile tears, vilified Reagan as war monger. Let me note I respect Murtha, but let me note how many times people saying President is a liar. Let's discuss the war honestly, let's not obfiscate issues.
 

8:07 PM: HOYER (D): Most profound issue for Congress is whether to send our nation's sons and daughters into harm's way. A serious proposal has been made. Proposal raised legitimate and critical questions about the war. It suggests an alternative course of action that deserves serious consideration and full and fair debate .But his proposal is not before us. Republican Chairman offers resolution to immediately withdraw troops. I don't support that. Mr. Hunter doesn't. He does it to avoid serious consideration of the policy our country is persuing. Majority response seeks to deal with this issue in a way that trivializes our consideration of how to conduct this war effort in a manner best designed to achieve success.

This resolution is beneath the dignity and responsibility of this institution and its members. We've sworn to protect Constitution, people. All 435 support our troops. This resolution is unworthy of our responsibility to troops. Unfortunately, today's process mirrors the superficial consideration of serious policy issues and demonstrates unwillingless to subject policy to oversight.

Cannot express my magnitude of contempt with which I view this shabby, petty, political maneuver. Our responsibility to troops demands more of us. Maj. leadership demonstrates its lack of respect for this institution. The American people will see these proceedings for what they are: the rankest of politics and the absence of a sense of shame. 

8:09 PM: GOHMERT (R):  It is so close. This is about a message sent to world. Right after Min. Leader's district told the world mamas don't let your babies grow up to defend this nation, San Francisco said no recruiters. Terrible message (booing). Join with us as you did in singing a prayer, god bless America.  

8:10 PM:  OSBORNE (R): I remember 4 years ago, the feeling in this chamber. We were united, common purpose. Concerned about acrimony. Tenor of discussion. We can do better than this.

8:12 PM: KINGSTON (R): This is not the Murtha resolution, it's his headline. Al Jazeera reporting leading member of Congress calling for immediate withdrawl. Media gets in the way, brings down morale. So I'll vote no. We do not support immediate withdrawl, we need to send the message.  

8:13 PM: FORTENBERRY (R): Spoke to Mom of killed soldier, thanked Congress.

 PELOSI (D): As the very proud rep of San Francisco, from northern CA where we have more vets than any other part of American, this is a very sad day. Just when you think you've seen it all, GOP stoops to new low, even for them. Engaged in act of deception undermining any shred of dignity left in GOP congress. Hunter resolution is political stunt, should be rejected.

GOP deception is a disgrace, disservice to troops. They and American people deserve better. Insult to integrity of Jack Murtha. As has been said, he's a decorated war vet. Yet GOP calls him a coward and accuse him of cooperating with enemy (booing). He is known for his bipartisanship, that is why attack so dishonest.

Murtha has dealt mightly blow of truth to failed Iraq policy. American people have rallied to it, but you can't handle the truth. Why is GOP so afraid of the facts? Taft, GOP, said criticism in time of war is essential to maintenance of any democratic government. Murtha's actions are great act of patriotism. Murtha has acted as he always done--in troops interests. (applause)

8:20 PM: GINGREY (R): Important to restate for moral of troops that we remain resolved in WoT. American will leave nothing overlooked as we help freedom loving people fight Islamofascists. We cannot suurender. 2,000 have fought and died to defend democracy. They deserve our thanks, and families need to know they did not die in vain.

Cheap talk abounds, but it is not bounded. Words of Congress echo out, our troops are listening. Hear those who denigrate their mission, who seek to divide America.

Call to question. AYES HAVE IT.  15 MINUTE ROLL CALL VOTE.

FINAL VOTE: 210 AYES, 202 NAYS

9:54 PM: HYDE: A report card on Jack Murtha, an A+ as a truly great American [applause]. He is not infallible. I prefer we don’t retreat. Quotes McCain from last week. Zarawiri letter predicated on assumption we will abandon country, he lays out four-stage plan, none of which will commence until we are expelled. Collapse of American power in Vietnam suggests we will run. I prefer counsel of war hero, Sam Johnson of Texas, stands with freedom fighters everywhere.

9:56 PM LANTOS: I stand in strong opposition to this resolution and in defense of Murtha [applause]. I will ask unanimous consent to yield to Murtha balance of time on Democratic side. But until then, this is not finest moment of House. We have endless debates about inconsequential things; tonight, we discuss war and peace. We get less than 8 seconds. This is not a serious proposal, but a cheap political ploy beneath the dignity of this body. The subject of this war deserves serious debate and we are surely not having it tonight. Murtha is the epitome of patriotism, not of the oratorical type, but patriotism on the field of battle. Yields balance to Murtha.

10:01 PM HUNTER: Soldiers feeling we are slipping away from commitment. Let’s cut through ambiguity and confusion. Words mean something. Even those who feel the troops aren’t confused by mixed message must agree that it’s right to send a clear and convincing NO vote on whether we leave Iraq.

10:03 PM WELDON: I’ve learned from Murtha. I want to stand up as a rep from PA, who epitomizes what our military’s all about. He visits Walter Reed. I wish I could say I’d held the hands of wives and children of sailors as Murtha has done. Jack Murtha is one of a kind, an example for all of us in this body and none of us should question his motives or desires for our troops. Murtha stood with us on tough votes, on tough policy question. He was with us when others in his party weren’t. Murtha has stood with our president, our troops, our policies. We’re in a sad state today. We’re in a tough time with our troops. It’s not about Murtha undermining anyone. But it’s wrong that a gentleman with Murtha’s reputation should have to wait five months to get a response to a letter expressing his concerns to this administration. Our COC should bring him to the White House for a discussion.

10:06 PM MURTHA This is not what I envisioned, not what I introduced (reads his resolution). Forty-five percent of Iraqis think it’s okay to attack Americans (emphasis from his resolution). I didn’t say anything about intelligence, about the president, any of this stuff we’ve heard today. They should be REDEPLOYED. Security should be built through diplomacy. I’ve never had in the 32 years in Congress, 4 to 1, outpouring of people crying, thirsting for a solution.

They want to support the president, I do too. We wanted a criteria in success in the bill because we weren’t happy. No one was telling us what was going on. We needed to put it in writing. I went to Iraq two months ago, talked to commanders who are hesitant to criticize the White House. But I could tell they were discouraged. Marine commander said he didn’t have enough troops at Syrian border because of small number of troops. They’ve fallen 10,000 short. They’re now taking 20% Category 4’s, which they vowed they vowed never to do with a volunteer army.

The war’s not going as advertised.

Wives and widows asking for bipartisan policy on phone. I didn’t introduce this as a partisan resolution.

Those gravestones at Arlington don’t say Democrat or Republican, they say American.

Cheney’s a friend of mine, Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk. It is evident continued action in Iraq is not in our best interests, or in Iraq’s. That’s MY opinion. For 2.5 years, I’ve been concerned about our policy, addressed concerns to Pentagon and White House. A few days before the start of the war, I was in Kuwait. I believed and the military believed there were WMD’s.

We spend more money on intelligence than the rest of the world put together. But the intelligence was WRONG. It’s a U.S. intelligence failure.

Let me tell you what demoralizes troops …not going to war with too few troops and too little equipment, too many deployments. The threat posed by terrorism is real, but other threats cannot be ignored.

This cannot be won militarily, it must be won politically and Iraqis need to take back their own country. Our troops have become the primary targets and we are the common enemies of all groups in Iraq. The Iraqi government must take over in December. We should leave soon after that, sending the message to Iraq that they’re free.

10:24 PM YOUNG (R) Americans can sleep well tonight because of our soldiers. We owe them a lot. That’s why we need to vote NO on this resolution. It’s NOT a good resolution. Praises Murtha and Duncan Hunter. Once you've committed to war, you're committed, like it or not. How do you get out? Winning is the preferred way. Who do you negotiate with? Terrorists hide, they sneak. They are pure and simple terrorists. Important things have been said on both sides of the aisle tonight. But there is no place when dealing with national security, there is no place for politics on either side. We need to send message to families, soldiers. Gripes about new Pentagon regulation that he and Murtha can't give $$ to soldiers.... War not limited it Iraq ... threat of global terrorism blah blah blah.

10:30 PM HEFLEY ( R) We should withdraw the moment the job is done. Our troops and Iraqis want us to stay until it’s done. Some say mission is failure, I don’t think that’s true – lowers morale, encourages terrorists. Successes not being recognized. We’re fighting terror and liberating a people. Political successes of Iraqi election, constitution. Enormous progress. Thanks, troops. We love ya and we’re going to be with you until the job is done.

10:30 PMMURTHA: We’re not making the progress everyone’s claiming. Oil production down. Reads letter from wounded soldier and family, anti-war. Injured soldiers applauded Murtha at Walter Reed. “The first time a politician has stuck up for soliders.”

10:37 SIMMONS (R ): I’m a Vietnam vet and we didn’t appreciate cutting and running. This isn’t the time to do it.

10:39 PM MURTHA reads letter of support from another soldier's family.

10:40 BUYER(R): Bunch of vet rah rah stuff. We should be talking strategy of victory. Discussing withdrawal now is wrong time. Freedom is on the move [swear to God, he said that.] Painful lessons: Our enemies watch us for weakness. Our military is an extension of us, they ask loyalty and they expect us to have same resolve they do. Can you hang with us, Congress? That's what soldiers want to know.

LANTOS (D-Smartass) asks parliamentary question as to whether they’re debating Hunter’s resolution or Murtha’s, since previous speaker only referenced Murtha. [House breaks out in booing, etc.]

Previous speaker apologizes.

10:46 PM MURTHA reads another letter from a soldier’s mother, discusses how there’s no PLAN, and that’s what everyone wants. “Mission accomplished was a joke” (from letter). From letter: These soldiers are “clay pigeons at a carnival.” Murtha says, we must change direction in Iraq.

10:49 PM DAVIS (R) says general called him to tell him the discussion is disgraceful. Lots of boos, he goes away.

10:50 PM HAYWORTH (R): Press called Murtha's talk yesterday "immediate withdrawal." I' shocked by Murtha's call. Let us finish our job. Vote NO.

10:53 MURTHA talks of widows who came to his office, wanting to visit Walter Reed. Another wounded vet came home, family had died. VA tried to help, found out he was blind, then they started sending bills after he visits John Hopkins.

Fifty thousand will get battle fatigue, they get shunted aside.

Several sad vet stories, one about how one vet couldn't get purple heart because he was being demobilized; Murtha said he'd give him his own. Marine Corps gave in.

Our soldiers have become the enemy. Fishback came to him and told him he was complicit with the torture. Congress is charged if it sends them to battle, to speak out for them. That's why I'm speaking out.

10:58 PM JOHNSON (R ) Decorated war hero, lots of applause. I stand here for those in uniform and their families. I was a POW, I know what it’s like to hear America doesn’t care about you, your Congress doesn’t care about you. So help me God, I will never, ever let our nation make that mistake again. [applause].

The soldiers need to know a few naysayers in Washington won't hang them out to dry. They stand up for us every minute of every day. Even a murmur of leaving now emboldens the enemy and weakens our resolve. They're showing it on Al Jazera. We're making progress in Iraq. Media predicted gloom and doom about elections. Yet it was a breakthrough for democracy, as was the recent referendum, but little attention paid to it in our press.

Iraqis are thirsting for freedom, are risking their lives. Our work is paying off. Hussein's gone, 46 of his henchmen are dead or incarcerated. Police hired, Iraqi soldiers trained, inspiring democracy. Sadly, some here want to embolden the enemy by saying cut and run.

What would Iraq be like if the terrorists took over? Beheadings, bragging on Internet. Al Queda will kidnap kids, blow up mosques.

What part of Al Queda do you want operating in America? America doesn’t deserve Al Queda. Our troops are fighting the bad guys over there, not over here. Support troops blah blah. Peaceniks did this in Vietnam and I hope our troops can block this noise out. Need to win GWT. Withdrawal is not an option.

NO Vote passes by voice vote, Duncan asks for recorded votes. Fifteen-minute vote counting. (Susan needs a cigarette and will come right back.)

FINAL VOTE: 3 AYES, 403 NAYS