Disappointment of the Day

By a count of 222-203, the attempt to override Mr. Bush's veto of the $124 billion spending measure for the Iraq War failed yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives. The actions of 222 members of Congress are completely understandable; however, the non-action by 8 others from both parties on the most important issue of this century is the most disturbing.

Present (which, in Congress, means to abstain from voting)
1. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) -- Although he unveiled a comprehensive plan for the Iraq War in January 2007 and is currently a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President (as well as in 2004), Kucinich could not even bother to move his mouth and say either "Yea" or "Nay".

Did Not Vote
2. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) -- "It is time for Democrats, Republicans and the President to work together on a bill to ensure our men and women on the ground have all the resources necessary to do the job we have asked of them." This statement was posted on McMorris Rodgers's web site, which is unbelievable considering the fact that she did NOT even vote. By the way, she received a D rating from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America in 2006.
3. Solomon Ortiz (D-NY): Ortiz currently serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommitee on Readiness, which exercises legislative jurisdiction over military readiness, training, construction and installations. With that being said, Ortiz did not even bother to cast a vote.
4. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) -- Despite being a member of the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee and the Army and Air Force Programs Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, Gillibrand did not even vote.
5. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) -- After further investigation, it is quite possible that the reason Davis did not vote is because she previously secured $169 million for construction on the next generation aircraft carrier for the United States Navy.
6. Eliot Engel (D-NY) -- Engel strongly supported the resolution to invade Iraq in 2002 but his position has changed. However, he still did not cast a vote on Wednesday.
7. Nicholas Lampson (D-TX) -- Lampson did not vote even though he was supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association on his 2006 election campaign.
8. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) -- How ironic it is that Westmoreland is a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. If only we could use that same committee on Westmoreland for not even bothering to cast a vote on Wednesday.