MD Senate Kills War Resolution

Sens. Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery) and Paul Pinsky (D-Prince George's) sponsored a resolution on the deployment of 1300 members of the Maryland National Guard to Iraq. Here is the key part of the resolution:

WHEREAS, Approximately 1,300 members of the Maryland National Guard have been called to serve in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, There are only an estimated 7,000 members of the Maryland National Guard and many have recently served in repeated deployments; and

WHEREAS, To date, more than 3,200 of the U.S. military have died in the war in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, The Inspector General of the Department of Defense has found that the Pentagon has not been able to properly equip the soldiers it already has with many lacking adequate weapons, ammunition, armor, and other supplies to “effectively complete their missions;” and

WHEREAS, Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are consideringlegislative proposals relating to military operations in Iraq that include demands for the withdrawal of most U.S. troops from Iraq by 2008; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Governor and the Maryland Congressional delegation are urged to voice their opposition to the most recent mobilization order potentially affecting members of the Maryland National Guard and call for a rescission of the order unless it can be shown that (1) the members will be fully equipped with sufficiently protective body armor and armored vehicles and other necessary weapons and equipment; (2) the members will be fully and adequately trained for combat in Iraq; and (3) there is an official redeployment strategy for all Untied States military personnel from Iraq

At this late date in the session, new resolutions require support from two-thirds of the Senate to be considered. The measure attracted support from only 20 of the 47 senators, though six of the eight Montgomery senators cast a vote in favor. In addition to Sen. Madaleno, the sponsor, Sens. Forehand, (D-17), Frosh (D-16), Garagiola (D-15), Lennett, and Raskin (D-20) supported consideration of the resolution. Sens. Kramer (D-14) and Hogan (D-39) voted against.