http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/12/17-3Pelosi says Kucinich Resolution Will Satisfy Need for Afghanistan Vote
by Sabrina Eaton
Rep. Dennis Kucinich's proposed resolution to pull troops out of Afghanistan seems to be getting a favorable reception from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich announced last week that he'll be introducing a resolution to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. (File)
At a roundtable with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Pelosi said many House members "are eager to have a vote soon on Afghanistan" and the resolution the Cleveland Democrat plans to introduce early next year will likely satisfy that need.
Since Kucinich announced last week that he'll be introducing a resolution to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, a dozen colleagues from both political parties have agreed to cosponsor his measure.House leaders attempted to thwart debate on past resolutions that Kucinich introduced to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney by moving to table them. Pelosi said tabling his Afghanistan resolution hadn't occurred to her until a reporter asked about it.
Pelosi says it will be up to Obama to convince members of Congress to approve the money he needs to send extra troops to Afghanistan. Members of Congress will have to base their votes on their "consciences and constituents," she said.
"I have told the members to give the President room, to listen to what he has to say," Pelosi said. "This President was dealt a very bad hand because there was no plan in Afghanistan for years."
Asked how she plans to vote on Kucinich's measure, Pelosi replied: "I don't vote unless it's a tie."