Reid: Getting 60 votes for Syria resolution is 'a work in progress'
Washington (CNN) - Getting at least 60 U.S. senators to support a military authorization against Syria is "a work in progress," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid acknowledged Friday while expressing optimism he would be able to reach that goal.
"I think we're going to get to 60 votes. You know it's a work in progress," Reid told reporters as he stepped off the Senate floor after formally filing the measure and readying it for expected votes next week.
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Supporters of attacking Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons against Syrian civilians are trying to secure backing from at least 60 senators because they believe they will need to overcome a filibuster from opponents. Reid declined to answer specific questions about vote counts and floor strategy for the measure, which appears to have an uphill climb to passage.
On Monday, Reid is expected to take the first steps to overcome an anticipated filibuster over whether to formally begin debate on the resolution. That would set up a key test vote on that question Wednesday.
Reid said the many classified administration briefings held this week have helped lawmakers better understand the case against the Syrian government.
He defended the president's desire to strike Syria, saying it is critical the U.S. stand up for an international treaty adopted after World War I that banned the use of the horrible weapons.
"To have this man use chemical weapons, as is pretty clear now, more than once – last time killing 1,439 people, including hundreds of children – if this doesn't call for a response I don't know what does," Reid said.
The only reason the Senate would need 60 votes is the GOP are going to filibuster this like they do everything else. Take it to the floor, debate it, vote on it and let the chips fall where they may.
Go Harry , we are going to clean out the house of GOP teaparty goofs in the 2014 midterms, count on it!!!!!!
The people in this country need to stand-up and be herd. Voice their opinion and say NO MORE WAR ! The Jews, The Christians & The Muslims have been killing each other for 1000s of years and they will continue no matter what. We do NOT need to be drug in and drug down with their Hatred and Vile life style. We need to let them kill each other all they want. They hate us and want us dead too. All the Christians over there should leave all the Middle East countrys and let the Jews & Muslims slatter themselves till their all gone.
"I think we're going to get to 60 votes. You know it's a work in progress," Reid told reporters as he stepped off the Senate floor after formally filing the measure and readying it for expected votes next week.
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i wonder how many millions or billions of our tax dollars are going to be used as bribes to get this travesty passed? it worked with obamacare.
Why does it need 60 votes? If someone is going to filibuster the resolution, then make them stand on the floor, so that they can show their face and speak their piece, instead of cowardly promising to do so in a back room. Show us the person who would filibuster the resolution, Senator.
Fair is Fair wrote:
He insisted that the base, which housed about 70 fulltime military technicians to service visiting Russian warships, was of no strategic importance to Russia. "It's just a technical facility for maintaining ships sailing in the Mediterranean," he said. "
Now since you're going to accuse me of fabricating this, just googlz russian foreign naval bases and look for a story from june 27 of this year. You'll find it.
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"It's just a technical facility for maintaining ships sailing in the Mediterranean,"
Sounds like the same active port to me, doing what it has always done. The port represents the only warm water port that the Russians have to the Atlantic. They ain't closing it without first getting another one up and running first, which they haven't.
smith wrote:
@Rudy- The russian navy is based on subs, you don`t hear about carriers because they only have one and it is old and outdated just like the rest of their top water ships. Russia`s military power is its land and air power not the navy.
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Congratulations for missing the point, while making mine at the same time. Thank-you. Thank-you. Thank-you, very much.
THIS is not something that should require 60 votes to get cloture. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this 5 year GOP/Teatroll tantrum is the biggest threat to national security that we're dealing with.
It is crucial that we get the votes to:
– support al-Qaeda terrorists
– support a conflict with no clear objective
Really?!
Where are we going to get the money to pay for this? Obama's Chinese Express Card "don't leave home without it"? Did Obama lie to the continent of Africa and not spend the $7 Billion he pledged to them?
*clap* *clap* *clap* well done Liberals! *clap* *clap* *clap*, Well done!
Rudy NYC
Sounds like the same active port to me, doing what it has always done. The port represents the only warm water port that the Russians have to the Atlantic. They ain't closing it without first getting another one up and running first, which they haven't.
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Rudy.... please.... you're stuck in the cold war! It is 2013. The old Soviet Union fell over 20 years ago. This base is long gone as is the Soviet Union. The Russians don't have a navy anymore that can project power over the globe. They have little need for and can't afford bases like this. If they did then you would be hearing about them tailing our ships off the cost of Syria. Instead the Russians are sending one ship to try and intercept our communications so they can help the Syrians.
Public has just been informed that there has been so far of total of 50 revisions to the plan on Syria. Does any one know what they are doing? The American people 59% do not want this, is anyone listening. This administration is running amok, the President is becoming an rouge player, not caring what the American are saying. The stupidity of the Congress, there are pushing USA in to another world war.
just saying
Tampa Tim
Just – only a contortionist can stretch your recent post of Fox talking points as truth. Other than a circus act, there is not much to your theories.
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care to debate actual statements or opinions or do you just intend to drool and froth at the mouth with responses like the one above?
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We would be more than happy to debate, were you not always drowning in the vapid, boring statements and opinions you regularly post on here. Considering that you are never willing to debate anyone, but prefer to smear and malign, you're just just not worth the effort, except when we're bored and you've decided to use your spellcheck.
Rudy NYC
Why does it need 60 votes? If someone is going to filibuster the resolution, then make them stand on the floor, so that they can show their face and speak their piece, instead of cowardly promising to do so in a back room. Show us the person who would filibuster the resolution, Senator.
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yeah, why start attacking another country with a whoppping 60 votes when we can just lower that bar to 50 votes and start attacking. after all this is only symbolical and doesn't really mean anything as obama already has the power to attack syria. he just doesn't possess the back bone and leadership ability. how does one fix that problem?
60 votes in the Senate shouldn't be too hard. As with everything else, the problem is the House!
-just asking
"I think we're going to get to 60 votes. You know it's a work in progress," Reid told reporters as he stepped off the Senate floor after formally filing the measure and readying it for expected votes next week.
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i wonder how many millions or billions of our tax dollars are going to be used as bribes to get this travesty passed? it worked with obamacare.
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Another vapid, pointless comment coming from the most active Rightie Pez Dispenser on the site. If there are billions to be doled out, they will go to all the Red States that still depend on blue union states to balance their budgets. Its been that way for generations, and the Righties are still sucking off the teat of DC despite their endless loud talk about self-reliance.
"when we can just lower that bar to 50 votes "
That IS the bar. If the people who want to oppose it are too chickensh-t to stand up and say why and attempt to justify their filibuster, then they are nothing but cowards.
Donna wrote:
Rudy.... please.... you're stuck in the cold war! It is 2013. The old Soviet Union fell over 20 years ago. This base is long gone as is the Soviet Union. The Russians don't have a navy anymore that can project power over the globe. They have little need for and can't afford bases like this. If they did then you would be hearing about them tailing our ships off the cost of Syria. Instead the Russians are sending one ship to try and intercept our communications so they can help the Syrians.
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When George W. Bush tried to put a missle shield in place in Eastern Europe, was he stuck in the Cold War?
BTW, just because you haven't heard reports of the Russians sending at least four warships to the area doesn't mean much to me. There are reports of at least one Russian submarine, and rumors of a second that should have arrived in the area by now. You are missing a lot of the facts, especially the strategic importance of the Russian naval port.
Sniffit
THIS is not something that should require 60 votes to get cloture. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this 5 year GOP/Teatroll tantrum is the biggest threat to national security that we're dealing with.
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Yes, because NOT attacking another country and NOT playing world policeman is a danger to our national security when acting my very well lead to the capture of WMD by terrorists that want to use them on us.
Well, thanks for your nutty response and I do appreciate that you have dropped your usual line of attacking others as racists. People oppose Obama attacking Syria because it just doesn't make sense from so many different perspectives.
Just – in an earlier post you pointed out Hannity's talking point , 'that Obama is responsible for the civil war in Syria. I would hope that you now give credit to Obama for the creation of all jobs lost under Bush, saving the auto industry, equal pay for women, equal rights for all Americans, the death of bin Laden, the end of Ghaddafy, access to health care for more Americans, the end of war in Iraq, soon the end of war in Afghanistan, the rise of the stock market, the drop of gasoline prices, coalition building, etc. All this without a single republican vote!
"You are missing a lot of the facts, especially the strategic importance of the Russian naval port."
Not to mention Putin promising at G20 that they would support Assad with weapons and supplies if we strike them.
"after all this is only symbolical and doesn't really mean anything as obama already has the power to attack syria. he just doesn't possess the back bone and leadership ability"
The GOP/Teatrolls DEMANDED that Obama allow Congress to debate and vote on approval and they justified their demand saying that they should be allowed to 'share the burden and responsibility of making these decisions." Now that they've arranged to deny approval, at least in the House, they want to escape that "burden and responsibility" so they don't have to take the blame when Assad throws a chemical warfare party on his citizenry...and because, let's face it, the only reason the GOP/Teatrolls wanted to vote on it is so they could yet again deny Obama something and thereby dare him to do it himself under the War Powers Act and thereby give them the excuse they need to bring baseless, meritless impeachment proceedings.
Obama doesn't need any of these votes! He has already stated he has the power to order an attack. Most everybody agrees he has that power. Why all this kabuki theater by Obama? Obama has now squandered any element of surprise and Assad has moved or hidden anything of potential value. Obama laid down his red line and then dithered, weakened and backed down. HE BLEW IT.
Now all he wants is to use Congress for political cover to save face and they are falling for it. They should all vote PRESENT just as he has done in this matter. If they vote to attack and things go bad, it won't be Obama's fault because he and his subservient media will blame others, including Congress. If they vote to not approve the attack, Obama will blame them there too.
Bottom line is Obama is a worthless political SNAKE and not a President that everybody believes is a true leader.