110th Congress / Senate / 1st session / Vote 126
- Question: On Passage of the Bill
- Bill: H R 1591
- Vote description: H.R. 1591, As Amended; U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act, 2007
- Vote type: 1/2 (Help)
- Result: Passed, 51-47, with 2 not voting.
- Date/time: March 29, 2007, 10:36 a.m.
- Republican majority opinion: No (Help)
- Democrat majority opinion: Yes (Help)
Key Vote Analysis
This $122 billion war spending bill calls for combat troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq this summer. The 51-47 vote fell mostly along party lines. Two Republicans -- Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon -- joined Democrats in support of the package, which would fund U.S. military activity in Iraq and Afghanistan. But Democrats also attached language that would start troop withdrawals within 120 days of passage, with a March 31, 2008, goal for completing the process.
The bill addresses many unrelated issues. It offers funds for disaster relief and recovery stemming from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, funds influenza pandemic response programs, offers disaster assistance for livestock and crops, and makes appropriations to bolster Medicare and Medicaid.
It also requires the secretary of Defense to inspect military medical treatment facilities and housing. It prohibits the use of funds in this or any other act to change essential services at Walter Reed Army Medical Center until certain requirements are met.
It requires the Congressional Budget Office to report to appropriators on anticipated funds necessary for the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to continue providing health care to Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.
It also requires the Coast Guard to exercise competition for contracts related to the Integrated Deepwater System Program.
Lastly, among many other things, it provides funds to assist Liberia, Jordan and Lebanon.
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