SEVERAL GOP WILL BREAK WITH PARTY ON IRAQ TODAY!

[kpete]

Several House Republicans call for debate on Iraq war, breaking with GOP leadership

John Byrne
Published: Wednesday April 5, 2006


At least four Republican members of Congress are calling on the House Republican leadership to hold a floor debate on the Iraq war, and are holding a press conference today, RAW STORY has learned.

The GOP members will announce that they would sign H. Res 543, the “discharge petition” that will force a debate on the House floor over the objections of House GOP leadership.

One of the members is Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), who famously helped coin the term "Freedom Fries" after US frustration with France surrounding Iraq. Since then, he has become a critic of the handling of the war and has sought greater discussion of the challenges and strategies for winning in Iraq.

Two other members have also agreed to sign -- Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), a libertarian maverick, and Rep. Wayne Gilcrest (R-MD). The other member's name was not immediately available. RAW STORY expects to have more within the next two hours.

Of late, more Republican members of Congress have said the Iraq war and President Bush's approval ratings are becoming liabilities to their reelection campaigns.
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Several_House_Republicans_call_for_debate_0405.html

[babylonsister]

1. Wonderful news! Let's get this done and get outa there! nt

[400Years]

2. K&R

[wicket]

5. And another!

:kick:

[CottonBear]

3. This is good news.

I do have respect for the Feedom Fries Republican congressman. He was man enought to admit that the whole Feeedom Fries thing was stupid and misguided and did nothing to solve the problem of how to get ourselves out of Iraq.

[pacalo]

40. I agree, especially because he's up front & center correcting his mistake.

[saltpoint]

4. Apart from imagining Dick Cheney et al not liking this much

I am glad the damn fools in the GOP are finally deciding that this president must be held accountable for how things are going.

The House members' re-election prospects aside, a lot of their constituents see it as an ideological and spiritual question and not a re-election strategy.

I hope this small group gets larger.

[Supersedeas]

17. they are a long way from accountability -- and we'll see how much Press

coverage this actually gets....I'm guessing, not much.

[saltpoint]

42. I know the route to accountability is long on the GOP side re Iraq

but this is beginning to tilt in the right direction.

The press will take some work, I agree. But in the era of coverage since 9/11, I think reporters like Christiane Amanpour will be the defining reference and not Bill O'Reilly.

[BR_Parkway]

47. Then let Cheney take up his shotgun and go to Iraq - like the old

style leaders did - battles led from the front of the charge, not the rear. He and Shrub act like Kings , they should go into battle like the old Kings did - front and center, banner held high.

[saltpoint]

48. And a lovely couple they'd make doing it, too. Really enjoyed that

image, BR_Parkway. A winner.

Good post.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. I've already got CSPAN on... waiting ... waiting....

:bounce:

Waiting...

[stop the bleeding]

9. keep us informed

thanks in advance

[AGENDA21]

23. Is on cspan 1 or 2..?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

24. CSPAN1

"On Wednesday, April 5, members of both parties in the House will go to the floor to sign House Resolution 543 calling for an immediate debate and vote on alternatives to the failed policy in Iraq."

I still can't find any mention of the press conference though.. I'll keep looking.

[Greeby]

7. Good news

That said, I was hoping for some unlikely suspects.

We all knew about Jones, and I knew about Gilchrest. And Paul? Why he still has an R after his name is beyond me

[ourbluenation]

8. Divided they fall!

[Griper]

10. Baby Steps...

The rats flee the sinking ship... Nice to see. Of course, it'll be better to see our troops get the hell out of Iraq.

[newyawker99]

43. Hi Griper!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

11. National Call-In day... get yer dialing fingers ready...

Please join us! Our goals ARE acheivable with your involvement.

We have a rare opportunity to work with a bi-partisan group of Representatives to launch a campaign to force Congress to act against the war in Iraq. On April 5, the group, led by Rep. Jones (R-NC) will hold a press conference calling on other members of Congress to join them signing a petition to demand a full debate and vote on real anti-war measures. Our grassroots role is to make sure members of Congress hear from us.... please forward this call....

National Call-in Day ~ "Force Congress to Act on Iraq"
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Call your Representative
1-202-224-3121 or 1-888-355-3588

The U.S. has been at war in Iraq for 3 years, with no end in sight, and Congress has refused to debate the war since the initial authorization to use military force was debated in 2002.

Since the House last had a true debate on Iraq, they have voted to authorize the expenditure of over $300 billion for the war, and thousands of U.S. service people and Iraqis have died. Public support for the war has plummeted.

Last week, when President Bush admitted that the U.S. occupation will outlast his administration (which doesn't end until 2009), it became clear that Congress must have a serious debate about Iraq.

Still, Congress ducks the issue and refuses to debate the war.

We can change that. We can demand that Congress debate and vote on a plan to end the war and bring the troops home.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) introduced H.Res.543 last fall, a resolution which demands a full debate and vote on the war. This is different from other legislation UFPJ has supported before, and is considered by many to be our best chance, to get Congress to consider substantive measures to end the war.

H.Res. 543 is a "discharge petition". Once it receives the signatures of half the members of the House (218 members), the bill bypasses its committee and is immediately considered on the House floor for debate and a vote.
The way the bill is written guarantees us 17 hours of debate, and allows amendments. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) would introduce his "end the war in Iraq Act" - which cuts off funding for the war - as an amendment. We would also expect Rep. Barbara Lee to introduce her no permanent bases resolution as an amendment, and Rep. John Murtha to offer his bill as an amendment.

A discharge petition doesn't sound very exciting, but, this one could lead to a breakthrough in Congress on Iraq. Our April 5th call-in day will be backed up by a bi-partisan group of Representatives who will hold a press conference that day to urge their colleagues to sign the petition. They have also lined up a panel of influential conservatives who oppose the war to urge congress to debate Iraq. In a letter to their colleagues, Reps. Jones (R-NC), Gilchrest (R-MD), Paul (R-TX), Abercrombie (D-HI), Skelton (D-MO), and Meehan (D-MA) reminded them, "Americans deserve an open and honest debate about the future of U.S. policy in Iraq by their representatives in Congress."

April 5 could be the real turning point in congress on Iraq.
Call your Representative on Wednesday, April 5
1-202-544-3121 or 1-888-355-3588

http://www.bpac.info/primaryfiles/ParticipateForPeace.html

Does anyone have the list of Reps. who have already signed? The link on the page isn't working...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

12. whoo hoo! found it...

Tuesday, December 6, 2005
1. Neil Abercrombie Hawaii 01
2. Henry A. Waxman California 30
3. William D. Delahunt Massachusetts 10
4. Martin T. Meehan Massachusetts 05
5. James P. McGovern Massachusetts 03
6. John Conyers, Jr. Michigan 14
7. Alcee L. Hastings Florida 23
8. Lynn C. Woolsey California 06
9. Barbara Lee California 09
10. Dennis J. Kucinich Ohio 10

Wednesday, December 7, 2005
11. Michael R. McNulty New York 21
12. James P. Moran Virginia 08
13. George Miller California 07
14. Nancy Pelosi California 08
15. Raúl M. Grijalva Arizona 07
16. Danny K. Davis Illinois 07
17. Lois Capps California 23
18. Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin 02
19. Cynthia McKinney Georgia 04
20. Hilda L. Solis California 32
21. John W. Olver Massachusetts 01
22. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. Illinois 02
23. Kendrick B. Meek Florida 17
24. Gwen Moore Wisconsin 04
25. Michael F. Doyle Pennsylvania 14
26. Joseph Crowley New York 07
27. Sheila Jackson-Lee Texas 18

Thursday, December 8, 2005
28. Barney Frank Massachusetts 04
29. Carolyn B. Maloney New York 14
30. Sam Farr California 17
31. Earl Blumenauer Oregon 03
32. Tim Ryan Ohio 17
33. Charles B. Rangel New York 15
34. Lloyd Doggett Texas 25
35. Nydia M. Velázquez New York 12
36. Grace F. Napolitano California 38
37. John Lewis Georgia 05
38. Diane E. Watson California 33
39. Edolphus Towns New York 10
40. Gregory W. Meeks New York 06
41. Donald M. Payne New Jersey 10
42. Major R. Owens New York 11

Tuesday, December 13, 2005
43. Bart Gordon Tennessee 06
44. Bernard Sanders Vermont 00
45. Stephanie Tubbs Jones Ohio 11

Wednesday, December 14, 2005
46. G. K. Butterfield North Carolina 01
47. Peter A. DeFazio Oregon 04
48. Jay Inslee Washington 01
49. Julia Carson Indiana 07
50. Jerrold Nadler New York 08
51. Juanita Millender-McDonald California 37
52. Carolyn C. Kilpatrick Michigan 13
53. Anna G. Eshoo California 14

Thursday, December 15, 2005
54. John B. Larson Connecticut 01
55. Maxine Waters California 35

Friday, December 16, 2005
56. John D. Dingell Michigan 15
57. Robert C. Scott Virginia 03

Sunday, December 18, 2005
58. Michael H. Michaud Maine 02
59. Ike Skelton Missouri 04
60. Carolyn McCarthy New York 04

Wednesday, February 15, 2006
61. Sherrod Brown Ohio 13
62. Thomas H. Allen Maine 01

Tuesday, February 28, 2006
63. Janice D. Schakowsky Illinois 09
64. Fortney Pete Stark California 13

Wednesday, March 1, 2006
65. Marcy Kaptur Ohio 09

Wednesday, March 8, 2006
66. Wm. Lacy Clay Missouri 01
67. Tom Lantos California 12

Thursday, March 9, 2006
68. Linda T. Sánchez California 39
69. Bob Filner California 51
70. Xavier Becerra California 31

Wednesday, March 15, 2006
71. Robert A. Brady Pennsylvania 01
72. Elijah E. Cummings Maryland 07

Wednesday, March 29, 2006
73. Mike Thompson California 01
74. Zoe Lofgren California 16
75. Edward J. Markey Massachusetts 07

Thursday, March 30, 2006
76. Nita M. Lowey New York 18
77. James A. Leach Iowa 02

Tuesday, April 4, 2006
78. Benjamin L. Cardin Maryland 03
79. Michael M. Honda California 15
80. Emanuel Cleaver Missouri 05


...these cowards UNSIGNED!

Signature Withdrawn

The following Members withdrew their signatures from the foregoing discharge petition and remaining signatures were renumbered to reflect those withdrawals:

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Patrick J. Kennedy Rhode Island 01

Friday, December 16, 2005

Leonard L. Boswell Iowa 03

[Sapphire Blue]

13. Call & email! Please see these related threads:

National call-in day on Iraq - today, April 5

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x846788


***** Demand an Open & Honest Debate on the War ***** APRIL 5 *****

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x841417

[Sapphire Blue]

20. !!!!!

[politicaholic]

14. Republicans are slowly realizing that Mr. Bush is no republican...

The country is far off of even the traditional republican doctorine that many of my republican collegues are embarassed about the current climate and are willing to vote democratic to send a message.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. You can contact the GOP co-signatories...

to offer them encouragement here:

Congressman Walter Jones
422 Cannon House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Congressman Ron Paul
203 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone Number: [phone]

Congreeman Wayne Gilcrest
2245 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

[kainah]

45. Fourth is Jim Leach of Iowa

During the press conference today, Leach said that he had spoke to other members of his caucus about the move. Other members, he said, are cautious, but they have not been critical.

Web Site: www.house.gov/leach
E-mail: Contact Via 'Web Form.'

Washington Office:
2186 RHOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-1502
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Main District Office:
129 12th St., SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-4074
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
(more district offices)
Background Information
Party: Republican
Residence: Iowa City
Marital Status: Married (Deba)
Prev. Occupation: Foreign Service Officer
Prev. Political Exp.: no prior elected office
Education: BA Princeton University, 1964; MA Johns Hopkins University, 1966
Birthdate: 10/15/1942
Birthplace: Davenport, IA
Religion: Episcopal
Other Information
Term: 15th
First Elected: 1976
Percentage in Last Election: 60%
Major Opponent: David Franker
Committees:
• Financial Services
• International Relations

[mike_c]

16. note though that their essential selfishness is still intact....

Selfishness, the hallmark of the GOP. These repigs are doing this because they fear for their own reelection campaigns, not because they believe the war against Iraq is illegal or immoral, or even just a misuse of funds. I'll take their support, however lukewarm it might be, but I won't give them any kudos.

[eleny]

18. The Hammer is gone one day and they're free at last?

What a bunch of wimps! And how many soldiers died because they feared that bastard? How many more will die before it's over?

[confludemocrat]

19. 4 will break? BFD this is not news

so four Repubs are not certifiable zombies

[Viva_La_Revolution]

21. Bull it's not!

we need 218 signatures to get this to the floor (it bypasses the committee if half the members sign it). We alread have 80, add these three, 83. We need more, it can be done.
I wish I were a fly on the walls of the House today. :)

on edit. fixed the math. damn

[joeunderdog]

25. It may signal permission for others to do so as well.

Any pattern of independent thought or dissention can give strength to a few of the other "weak" ones. Just loosening the grip, that's all.

[DrGonzoLives]

22. I'll believe it when I see it (n/t)

n/t

[Viva_La_Revolution]

26. Press conference was at 11am

11:00 AM - Reps. Walter Jones and Gilchrest call for debate on Iraq, 122 CHOB.

http://www.house.gov/daily/hpg.htm

[lebkuchen]

27. Either that, or be voted off their fat paycheck and health bennies

Congress, you're on notice! Adapt or lose your ass in November.

[Beelzebud]

28. I hope the Democrats in D.C. don't wait so long

that they allow the republicans to be the anti-war party...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

29. another article...

snip>
So Jones, along with five other members of Congress - three Democrats and two other Republicans - will go to the House floor and ask their colleagues to sign a discharge petition calling for 17 hours of debate on a resolution asking President Bush to develop a plan for troop withdrawal.

A discharge petition is a parliamentary maneuver used by members who want to discuss an issue that the leadership has not allowed to come to the floor. It requires the signatures of 217 members.

"(We) belong to different political parties and have differing views on what U.S. policy in Iraq should be, (but) we are united in our conviction that this is (the) time for the House of Representatives to debate the war in Iraq," the six members wrote in a 'Dear Colleague' letter last week, encouraging other members to support their efforts.

Jones said he doesn't expect anything to happen this week. The House is busy debating bud-get resolutions, and the Sen-ate is bogged down in the immigration debate.

more - http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137835131192&path=!localnews&s=1037645509099

[Viva_La_Revolution]

30. RawStory has updated...

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Several_House_Republicans_call_for_debate_0405.html

[AGENDA21]

33. Do you know when it will start..?

[Viva_La_Revolution]

34. dunno. Here's the schedule as of this morning...

Suspensions (13 bills):
1. H.R. 3127 - Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006

2. H.Con.Res. 320 - Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and other purposes

3. H.Res. 578 - Concerning the Government of Romania's ban on intercountry adoptions and the welfare of orphaned or abandoned children in Romania
4. H.Con.Res. 370 - Expressing the sense of the Congress that Saudi Arabia should fully live up to its World Trade Organization commitments and end any boycott on Israel

5. H.Res. 737 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Biggert / Government Reform Committee)
6. H.R. 4688 - Mayor John Thompson 'Tom' Garrison Memorial Post Office Designation Act

7. H.R. 4561 - Francisco 'Pancho' Medrano Post Office Building Designation Act

8. H.R. 4646 - Coach John Wooden Post Office Building Designation Act

9. H.Res. 556 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established to increase awareness

10. H.Con.Res. 360 - Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service

11. H.Con.Res. 371 - Honoring and congratulating the Minnesota National Guard on its 150th anniversary

12. H.Con.Res. 366 - To congratulate the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the 25th anniversary of the first flight of the Space Transportation System

13. H.Res. 541 - Honoring Drs. Roy J. Glauber, John L. Hall, and Theodor W. Hansch for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 2005, and Drs. Yves Chauvin, Robert H. Grubbs, and Richard R. Schrock for being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2005


H.R. 513 - 527 Reform Act of 2005

Cardin Motion to Instruct Conferees on H.R. 4297 - Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act of 2005

Rolled Suspension Vote (one vote):
1. H.Res. 692 - Commending the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the contributions and sacrifices they made to the United States nuclear testing program



They're on #9 right now...2:16pm

[Supersedeas]

36. So if CNN was at the Press Conference, why is there NO mention of this on

CNN's website....hmmmm.

[madokie]

31. So I guess we can expect something 'big' to happen soon

another terra strike, or something. So many crimes commited these folks can't even let it appear they are in trouble. cornered rats.

[mzmolly]

32. Make no mistake, this is a political move.

But, I guess I'll take it.

[Supersedeas]

37. Walt Jones has been critical of the war long before the Press Conference

and has gone public with that criticism as well.

So, to characterize this as a disingenuous stunt is just wrong. He for one means it.

[Jacobin]

38. You are right about that

He has been apologetic about it for some time now. He's really sheepish about that Freedom Fry thingy, as well he should be.

[mzmolly]

44. HE for ONE means it. I'll take that statement as fact. However, it's no

secret Republicans are trying to distance themselves from Bush before the election.

:hi:

[AndyTiedye]

35. "Albatross, Get Yer Albatross!"

http://frogstar.com/wav/displaywav.asp?fil=albatros.wav

[Tarheel_Dem]

39. not that i care how we get them home.....

as long as we get them home now, but this reeks on the part of republicans who are in fear of losing their congressional seat? what about the kids losing their lives in this ill conceived, unnecessary "war"? shame...shame... suddenly it's fashionable for the rubber stampers to be critical of this administration, but i hope their dem challengers won't let them divorce themselves so easily from (*).

[radio4progressives]

41. They've always been against this war, and have been calling for an end

for nearly three years.. they are original signers of the Out of Iraq Resolution introduced by Lyn Woolsey last year..

I applaud them for their continued courage and principled stand, i just wish they were given media attention.

[stephinrome]

46. my rep signed!

making it 85

85. Mark Udall Colorado 02

Still a long way from the needed numbers, so keep calling!

btw-he's a dem, more or less.