The Senate's action came on a voice vote with only six members present, meaning that the decisions of individual members on the administration's vision for Iraq were not recorded. Not voting on the record appealed to both Republicans nervous about explaining the amount to their constituents, and Democrats who did not want their patriotism questioned for opposing the bill. On Friday, the House voted 298 to 121 in favor of the bill. The bill now goes to the president for his signature.
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Even supporters said the continuing toll of casualties made it hard for them to explain their vote to skeptical constituents back home.
Senate Sends Spending Bill for War Costs to President
Why do we as a people put up with this kind of thing...secret voting by politicians afraid to stand up and be counted? This is democracy?