Reply #15: More rest for troops defeated in Senate [View All]

Source: Seattle Times

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans on Wednesday defeated an amendment offered by two Vietnam combat veterans, Sens. Jim Webb, D-Va., and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., that would have increased the time troops have at home before they return to war in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Fifty-six senators — including seven Republicans — voted in favor, but the measure fell short of the 60-vote supermajority Republicans had demanded, exploiting Senate rules.

The measure would have required that active-duty service members have the same amount of time at home as they've served at war before they're sent again to Iraq or Afghanistan. Military reserves and National Guard members would have had three years between deployments.

The Senate also voted 97-0 for an amendment sponsored by Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut who votes with the Bush administration on Iraq, that demands Iran stop supporting Iraqis who are killing Americans. It didn't specify consequences.

Read more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003785458_iraqcong12.html?syndication=rss