MoveOn And Voinovich

MoveOn sent out this notice this afternoon.

LOCAL "COUNTER-FILIBUSTER" CALLS ON SENATOR VOINOVICH TO STOP BLOCKING VOTE TO END IRAQ WAR

Senate Republicans Use Ploy to Prevent Passage of Timetable for Safe & Secure Exit of U.S. Troops

Cincinnati, OH — Members of the Southern Ohio community and MoveOn will hold a Tuesday evening "counter-filibuster" in front of Ohio's Senator Voinovich's Cincinnati Office, as Voinovich joins a Republican “filibuster” to block a vote on ending the Iraq war. They will call on him to end his participation in the filibuster, which is blocking the Senate from passing a timetable for the safe and secure exit of U.S. troops from Iraq.

MoveOn members will read letters from Iraq war veterans and their families that call on Congress to bring the troops home soon. "We're gathering to ask Senator Voinovich to stop stalling and to stand up and vote to bring our troops home safely, securely, and soon," said Laura Read of Cincinnati, the local MoveOn leader and spokesperson for Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq.

A majority of U.S. Senators are on record in support of legislation that would require President Bush to begin bringing troops home within the next 120 days and complete the task by April, 2008. They will not be able to vote on such a measure if Senator Voinovich, along with other Republican senators, continue to block progress on the most important issue facing the country. Senate rules require 60 (out of 100) votes to end debate so Senators can vote on a bill.

The pending Senate measure is an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill offered by Democratic Senators Carl Levin (MI), chair of the Armed Services Committee, and Jack Reed (RI), a former U.S. Army Ranger. It is co-sponsored by three Republican Senators – Olympia Snowe (ME), Chuck Hagel (NE), and Gordon Smith (OR).

WHO: MoveOn members and other local residents.
WHAT: A "counter-filibuster" directed at Senate Republicans, demanding that they stop blocking a vote for a timetable to end the Iraq War.
WHERE: On the sidewalk in front of Senator Voinovich's Cincinnati Office
36 E. 7th St., Cincinnati, OH
WHEN: Tuesday July 17, 2007 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Vigils and Counter-filibusters will also take place in front of the U.S. Capitol Building and at the in-state offices of most Republican Senators.

** GREAT VISUALS: SIGNS AND SPEAKERS**