Senate Votes Against Troop Escalation Plan

Senate Votes Against Troop Escalation Plan

The United States Senate took to the floor on a Saturday to side with the House of Representatives on a 56-34 vote to oppose the President's troop escalation plan. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill supported the measure, saying it was more important to support the troops than play politics with their lives.

"I'm proud to have voted with a bi-partisan majority of my colleagues to oppose the President's troop escalation plan. Today we sent a loud message to the White House. The Senate joined the House of Representatives in going on the record to say we need a new direction in Iraq. Those who voted against today's measure are trying to provide political cover for the President. I'm more interested in protecting our troops than playing politics with their lives."

McCaskill was slated to be the main speaker at the memorial service of Lt. Gov. Harriett Woods, but the afternoon vote scheduled late in the week forced her to make the tough decision to come back to Washington to be counted. McCaskill's 78 year-old mother, Betty Anne McCaskill, delivered her heartfelt remarks on her behalf.

"This was a tough choice. In the end, I know that I wouldn't be here to cast this vote had Harriett not paved the way. She would have wanted me to make stand and make Missouri's vote count," McCaskill said.

http://mccaskill.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=269496&