Michigan's two Senators--Democrats Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow--split on a measure sponsored by Democratic Senators Russ Feingold and Harry Reid that called for the redeployment of United States soldiers in Iraq by March 31, 2008. The measure failed on a procedural vote by a total of 29 to 67, with Stabenow voting in favor and Levin voting against the measure.
In much of the corporate press coverage, the measure was portrayed as a "withdrawal" bill that would have removed troops from Iraq within 120 days. However, the bill merely required that redeployment begin within 120 days with the actual redeployment being completed by March 31, 2008. Like other so-called withdrawal bills, the bill would have allowed for US soldiers to remain indefinitely in Iraq to continue operations against al-Qaeda and to provide security for United States infrastructure and personnel.
The Senate voted on two additional measures, including a Republican proposal and a resolution expressing the need for a funding bill to be passed by Memorial Day. The Republican proposal, which restricted US aid to Iraq if Iraq failed to meet a series of benchmarks, was voted down 52-44 because it was determined to be "too weak" by Democrats. The resolution calling for a funding bill before Memorial Day passed 87 to 9.
Of the Michigan Senators, Senator Stabenow's vote in support of the Feingold-Reid amendment was somewhat of a surprise given her record of supporting the war by voting for funding bills and issuing limited criticisms of the war. However, in recent weeks, Senator Stabenow has started to speak out more against the war. Stabenow, along with other Senate Democrats, is coordinating the "America Speaks Out on the War in Iraq" campaign to highlight "the stories of everyday Americans" speaking against the war. Thus far, the stories available on the campaign's website highlight equipment shortages in Iraq, opposition to the war in faith communities, and how the war is affecting people in rural areas. When she participated in a press conference announcing the project, Senator Stabenow said Democrats' constituents "elected us to be their voice, and they are telling us to change course in Iraq and bring our troops home safely and responsibly. It is time for the President to listen to the American people."
Senator Carl Levin withdrew an amendment he had proposed calling for the redeployment of United States soldiers to begin within 120 days as a means of putting pressure on the Iraqis after the White House said that they opposed the bill. The White House opposed the amendment even though it contained a provision allowing President George W. Bush to waive the redeployment requirement.
