Washington -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday pledged to continue trying to end the Iraq war, even though events of the day demonstrated that he still lacks the votes to force a troop withdrawal.
The Senate wrapped up its first round of debate on the war this year with little fanfare. After two days of discussion, Republicans refused to advance a withdrawal bill. As a result, Democrats were forced to shelve proposals by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) that would have cut off money for combat and demanded a new strategy for defeating al-Qaida.
The procedural wrangling left majority Democrats defeated, even without a final vote cast on either measure.
"We'll be back," said Reid (D-Nev.), noting that this spring the Senate is to debate whether to approve an additional $100 billion for the war.
Feingold echoed Reid, saying: "I will continue this fight when the Senate takes up the supplemental soon. As long as the Iraq war continues, more Americans will be put at risk."
Senate Democrats planned to meet Wednesday to discuss their strategy on the war.
This week, Republicans agreed to extended debate on Feingold's legislation - not because they supported the measures, but because they said the debate would offer the opportunity to promote progress in Baghdad.
The hours of Senate speeches that followed included many by allies of President Bush who said Democrats had been wrong about the 2007 troop buildup.
The audacity!
How dare Republicans extend debate to give them the opportunity to highlight the progress our troops have made in Baghdad!
How horrible of those mean-spirited Republicans to point out that the surge has been successful! What an outrage to praise the troops!
Feingold keeps trying to cut off funds to the troops, but he just can't get it done.
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Feingold's statement
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