Arcuri Votes Against War
I am pleased to report that late yesterday afternoon, Congressman Michael Arcuri voted in opposition to giving George W. Bush what he wanted: Money to keep on fighting the war in Iraq with no strings attached.
Sadly, with the help of 86 pro-war Democrats in the House who turned coat and voted with the Republicans, the legislation passed anyway, giving no deadline for withdrawal, no benchmarks upon which funding for the war will be contingent, not even a requirement that American soldiers receive more adequate training. This legislation was carte blanche to keep on fighting the Iraq War as is.
Still, Mike Arcuri voted against it, and that’s a vote that counts. It’s a vote that should be remembered as a mark in Arcuri’s favor in 2008.
How New York State’s U.S. senators voted on the equivalent legislation in the Senate:
Hillary: Against
Schumer: Abstain
A couple of reasonable considerations: Arcuri POSTPONED (not cancelled, not never, but, later) the fundraiser in Tompkins Co. before it was clear when the vote would be taken, or whether or not it would involve prolonged debate.
As for Schumer, he recently was bitten by a tick, and is getting Lyme Disease treatments. Our reps are, in fact, human. I kinda like that.
Will let folks know when Arcuri reschedules the fundraiser; meanwhile, please do talk with his staff when they are available. They can give you more time and attention than a sitting Congressman can give anybody… but his staff. Convince them, and let them convince him.
Actually, Krys, I spent a great deal of time trying to get Arcuri’s staff to be forthcoming… and they were not, even when the phones were being answered. Being open to communciation from constituents is not a strong suit of Arcuri’s so far.