It’s Saturday and the Senate is in session with the Democratic leadership pushing for a vote on Iraq, following the 246-182 vote in the House yesterday on a “measure stating opposition to Bush’s decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.” Republicans say they have “the strength to sidetrack the measure.” But some Democratic members of the Senate believe that hold out Republicans are torn on the right and wrong of the vote…

“They are torn between their president’s policy and the wishes of the constituents, but vote they must,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said of Republicans.

Ted Kennedy delivered the following statement on the Iraq Resolution on the Senate floor earlier:

Mr. President, by a vote of 246 to 182 yesterday, the House of Representatives approved a historic resolution strongly supporting our troops in Iraq and strongly opposing the escalation of the war. Seventeen courageous house Republicans joined all but two house Democrats in voting for the resolution in their clear response to the American people’s call for change in policy on the war.

The Senate should approve this legislation too. The voices of the American people are growing louder and louder, and the need for us to act could not be clearer. No more delays. No more filibusters. No more excuses.

Our men and women in uniform have served with great courage and honor for nearly four years — longer than it took to win World War II. We support them wholeheartedly, as Senator Reid’s legislation makes very clear.

But support for our troops does not mean support for the President’s misguided policy. Sending tens of thousands more American troops into the cauldron of a civil war is not a policy worthy of their sacrifice. This legislation makes that point completely clear.

Every Senator who opposes the escalation of the war should cast their vote in favor of this legislation.

Citizens across the country are watching this debate. For them, the question is clear. When the roll is called, a vote yes means you oppose the escalation of the war. You oppose sending even more of our sons and daughters into a civil war. A vote no means you agree that the President is on the right course.

A yes vote is the right vote for our troops, the right vote for the people of Iraq and the right vote for America.

Our armed forces have done everything we have asked them to do. They have served with dignity, honor, and courage.

More than 3,000 Americans have been killed so far in this war that America never should have fought. More than 23,000 have been wounded. 65 sons and daughters of Massachusetts have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.

President Bush does not have the consent of the American people for any new escalation. He is insisting on escalating the war, when most Americans are convinced that de-escalation is the only responsible strategy.

Experience demonstrates that a surge won’t work. We have surged our forces in Iraq four times in the past, and each time the situation hasn’t changed. Four surges—four failures. It makes no sense to try for five.

President Bush cannot continue to unilaterally impose his failing policy on an America that has already rejected it. Congress has a constituted responsibility to stop this President from sending even more of our sons and daughters to die in this civil war.

This legislation is our first effort to meet that responsibility. It is our chance to go on record in opposition to the surge. It’s a clear call for change.

Sending even more U.S. troops into Iraq’s civil war is not the solution to Iraq’s political problems. President Bush not only fails to see that reality—he’s also going out of his way to deny and defy it.

This is our chance at long last to state our strong opposition to that strategy. If the President refuses to change course, we must take stronger action to change it, protect our troops, and end this reckless war.

The debate is about what is best for our troops and for our country. Sending even more of our forces into a civil war will not make success any more likely.

We have a responsibility to vote on this issue now, before it is too late. This is the moment of truth. We either go on record opposing the escalation, or we go on record supporting it.

It is time for Republicans to stand up to the President and stand up for our soldiers by clearly opposing the escalation of this war. I urge our colleagues to vote yes on this motion to proceed. The American people are watching and waiting for an answer.

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