SmallGovTimes.com

By: Benjamin Amis | Published on 04/12/07    

The new democratic majority on Capitol Hill recently pushed through a measure that will ensure more than a hundred billion dollars for our troops overseas in Iraq and establishes a timetable for troop withdrawal, despite opposition from Congressman Kucinich.

All members were given a chance to speak on the measure during a period of debate that stretched over two days in chambers. The typical party line divisions were evident as the respective sides aimed and fired across the aisle.

Nothing out of the ordinary was seen until the second day of debate when party lines were crossed to allow a member of the House to speak who was not permitted by his own party.

Presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10) came to the floor that second day with hopes of speaking against his leadership’s bill, but was not yielded speaking privileges by the Democratic floor leader at the time, Rep. David Obey (D-WI-07), the Chairman of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations.

Congressman Kucinich was able to defend his right to speak when the Republican floor leader and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA-41), yielded time from the Republican side for the Democratic Congressman.

“We called your office last night,” Democratic Chairman Obey defended, arguing that he was told the Congressman had already “went home [for the night].”

Kucinich insisted that he was in his office “very late” that night and received no such call from anyone. After the exchange with Rep. Obey, the Ohioan spoke out against the measure and ultimately voted against it later that day, even after a rousing speech by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-08), the last member to talk on the measure, leaving the lectern to meet a throng of colleagues from her party clapping with a standing ovation.

The Congressman from Ohio was not alone in his dissent of the bill. A total of ten democrats voted against the supplemental, causing the bill to barely squeak passed the House with 218 votes in favor, the minimum number necessary to pass legislation. Several Republicans crossed party lines and voted for the measure.

The Emergency Supplemental then passed the Senate, where it will be sent to the President’s desk under the threat of a veto. The Democrats in Congress do not currently hold the votes to override the imminent Presidential veto.

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