- The Congressional Quarterly confirms a possible rebellion
of both Democrats and Republicans against passage of the National Defense
Appropriations Act, H.R. 1585, with hate bill attached. This threat is
causing Democratic leaders to seriously consider stripping the controversial
hate bill from the arms bill. CQ says:
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- House Democratic leaders plan to decide in the next day
or two whether to include the provision, aides said. It is considered vital
by many in the Democratic constituency who have been lobbying House leaders
to include it in the final defense bill.
- But the provision could jeopardize the whole bill. In
the House, liberals upset over war spending could join forces against the
bill with conservatives concerned about the hate crimes language. The Senate
vote could be tight, too, because in late September only 60 senators -
the bare minimum needed - voted to overcome a filibuster of the hate crimes
amendment.
- If the decision is made by Tuesday on whether to include
the provision, the conference report could come to the House floor as early
as Thursday, aides said. (http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000002635125
- Click for CQPolitics article.)
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- This means the arms/hate bill might be
voted on as early as Thursday, Dec. 6th. I think Democratic loyalty to
the hate bill is much stronger than to an arms bill that provides no conditions
for withdrawal from Iraq. I could be wrong, but lovers of freedom should
call House members immediately, assuring them there is wide public support
for a "no" vote against National Defense Appropriations Act,
H.R. 1585, with hate bill attached.
-
- If this arms/hate bill passes, it will
go to an increasingly uncertain fate before a President who may succumb
to overwhelming pressure. Signing it, he will also sign away our freedom
of speech.
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- Be safe! Call NOW 1-877-851-6437
or 1-202-224-3121.
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