The real resolution on the Iraq war

Re “GOP blocks Senate vote on troop resolution,” Feb. 18

This headline mischaracterized Saturday’s vote in the U.S. Senate. This was not a vote to limit debate but rather a vote to expand the debate to include the most important issue, and the one that Congress controls: the funding of our troops.

The Democratic leadership in the House and the Senate refused to allow a vote on the funding issue last week and insisted instead on having just one proposal before Congress.

Five weeks ago, President Bush announced a plan to secure the city of Baghdad. He described this plan as our best shot at success and asked Congress to give it a chance to work. The Senate confirmed Gen. David Petraeus to carry the mission out. An additional combat brigade was sent, and another is expected to arrive in Iraq this week. This was the context in which Democrats attempted to deny a vote in the Senate on Saturday: whether members will support our troops in the field with the funds they need to carry out their new and decisive mission.

The Senate will soon return to the issue of Iraq, and Senate Republicans will continue to insist that the Senate go on record as to whether or not the rhetoric of supporting the troops in the field is backed by actual funding.

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-Ky.)

Senate Minority Leader

Washington