When the two out of three are two of Indiana’s freshman Congressmen, and they do not want to end the occupation in Iraq.
The story from Maureen Groppe in The Indianapolis Star.
Some of the article is below the fold.
My friend The Honorable Congressman Joe Donnelly and my friend the Honorable Congressman Brad Ellsworth, are not sure if they will support the Iraq war spending bill because it has a timetable attached and specific goals with it.
My friend The Honorable Baron Hill and former Congressman Lee Hamilton both support this measure as do I.
WASHINGTON – Some Hoosiers are among the reasons House Democrats are having trouble rounding up enough votes for a war spending bill that includes a timetable for bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq.
Two of Indiana’s three freshman lawmakers, who were elected last year in part because of unhappiness over the Iraq war, have not decided whether to support the bill.
The $124.3 billion emergency spending bill, which could be voted on as early as today, would require Iraqis to meet two deadlines for political and military benchmarks.
If they fail, the U.S. would begin withdrawing troops and could be out as early as Jan. 1. If the Iraqis meet the benchmarks, troops would leave by September 2008.
“I think the bill is terrific right up until that final benchmark,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Granger, who hasn’t decided how he’ll vote.
Give Congressman Donnelly and Congressman Ellsworth a call or an email and urge them to vote yes on this bill.
Representative Brad Bradley (Brad) Ellsworth (D – 08) 202-225-4636 202-225-3284 http://ellsworth.house.gov/
Representative Joe Donnelly (D – 02) 202-225-3915 202-225-6798 http://donnelly.house.gov/
Rep. Brad Ellsworth, who also hasn’t decided how he’ll vote, said he wants to make sure troops have the equipment and training they need to do their jobs safely.
“Within that frame, I am weighing what constituents are saying and military leaders are conveying in secret briefings with what my conscience tells me,” the Evansville Democrat said in a statement.
Yes, the bill will be vetoed, yes, we do not have a veto proof majority yet, but this is an important step in the process, and time for a united front in my opinion.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for all that you do.
Barry Welsh 2006 Indiana 6th District Democratic Congressional Candidate
