Last night I blogged about how a House panel voted to block the deal that would turn over operational control of several US ports to the UAE-owned company Dubai Ports World. In that post, I wrote that the Senate may not be so quick fo follow the House's lead. Well, via the AP today we learn that GOP Congressional leaders from both the House and Senate have advised the President that the deal is all but dead:

Republican congressional leaders told President Bush Thursday the House and Senate both appear ready to block a Dubai-owned company from taking over operations at several U.S. ports, GOP officials said.

The leadership delivered the assessment in a private meeting at virtually the same time White House spokesman Scott McClellan reiterated Bush's vow to veto any legislation interfering with the deal.

The developments came one day after a GOP-controlled House committee voted 62-2 to block the transfer, which has prompted an election-year Republican congressional revolt against the administration _ made all the more striking because it is related to the war on terrorism.

Senate Democrats also demanded a vote on the issue, and while Republicans struggled to prevent one, they conceded they were on the political defensive.

"I admire what the House did," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. "They said we know the president feels strongly about this. We know he said he's going to veto this. But we're going to do it because we think we have an obligation to our constituents."

Posted by Sister Toldjah at March 9, 2006 01:39 PM

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Comments

There are few sights better than watching Republicans FINALLY disagree with Dufus Bush. With November only a few months away, Republicans are scurrying likes rats to distance themselves from a horribly unpopular president.

The UAE deal is all but dead. But the side show is worth the price of admission. So cook up some popcorn and laugh as republicans fall on there ugly faces.

Posted by: It's Imperialism, Stupid! at March 9, 2006 05:01 PM

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If Congress caved to protests from voters, I wonder if they would also cave to a call to confine all Muslims in concentration camps. I expect Congress to do "the right thing". In this case, they failed miserably and have created an ugly mess that they will have to clean up (at taxpayer expense).

Posted by: Bob Turner at March 10, 2006 08:24 AM

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