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After Jim Webb’s amendment was rejected by cloture vote ::
(Firedoglake) – Right after Sen. Lieberman voted against U.S. troops on the Webb amendment, he launched his new Iran Amendment – cosponsored by pals Kyl, Graham, Collins and Sessions with strong support by McCain – and Senator Levin could not fall over himself fast enough to display his love of his big pal from CT. Watch here – but prepare yourself – it will test your gag reflex mightily. (Thanks as always to Crooks and Liars for being on top of the news!)
This gist of the amendment:
It is the sense of the senate that Iran is participating in acts of war against the United States. (h/t OpenLeft)
(The Hill) July 11 – By a vote of 97-0, the Senate Wednesday passed an amendment to the 2008 defense authorization bill offered by Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) calling for a detailed report on the role Iran plays in equipping and funding terrorists in Iraq.
The Senate’s rebuke also comes a day after the U.S. Navy announced that it would send a third aircraft carrier to its 5th Fleet area of operations, which includes waters close to Iran, whose dispute with the West over its nuclear plans has stirred regional tensions.
The provision expresses a sense of Congress that the killing of members of the U.S. military is an unacceptable act and that Iran and its agents must take immediate action to end all training, equipping, funding, advising or any other support to Iraqi militias and insurgents that contributes to the destabilization of Iraq.
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Some Democrats have been trying for months to rein in the presidential war-making powers and ensure that the Bush administration seeks congressional authorization for any preemptive strike against Iran, but those attempts have failed in part because of divisions among Democrats. Some are concerned that restricting Bush’s war powers could endanger Israel’s security in the Middle East.
Lieberman recently generated controversy when he said that Iran, by its actions in Iraq, has declared war on the U.S. and that the U.S. government should keep open the possibility of using military force against Iran .
In short, McCain’s statement on Senate floor: destabilizing Iraq and killing American troops. Iran’s president: “Israel must be wiped off the map.” Continued threat to Israel! Link Hezbollah to Quds militia, training and support of Shia extremists in Iraq and Iran. Acquiring a nuclear weapon and handing it over to terrorists. Sunni involvement sponsored by the Saudis and Turkey not accepting a Kurdish state. Address Iranian threat, or pay a very heavy price.
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."