The GOP crackup continues

I love it when an evil plan falls apart.

First Read : Detainee bill loses in committee

The House Judiciary Committee this afternoon has voted against the terrorist detainee bill favored by President Bush and most Republicans. But this doesn't mean that the bill is dead in the House. The measure has been reported out of committee "unfavorably" -- the vote was 20 against and 17 in favor -- but it still heads to the House floor where passage by the entire body is expected next week. Recall that the same bill passed the House Armed Services Committee by a vote of 52-8 last week. The Judiciary Committee, however, is much more polarized ideologically.

Still, three Republicans defied the leadership and the president in the committee vote. They are Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas, Bob Inglis of South Carolina, and Jeff Flake of Arizona (who has become a McCain-like maverick).

House Panel Opposes Bush Detainee Bill - washingtonpost.com

In a rebuke of President Bush, a House panel Wednesday rejected his plan for interrogating and trying foreign terrorist suspects. The bill, however, which was already approved by the House Armed Service Committee, will still go to the full House for consideration.

The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee, in a surprise move, rejected the measure 20-17 with three Republicans breaking ranks. Several Republicans were absent for the vote and committee leaders said they would press for another vote, perhaps within hours.

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