Senate Rejects Measure to Set Deadline for Withdrawing American Troops from Kosovo

Strategic Insights -

In a significant victory for the Clinton administration, the Senate narrowly rejected a measure to set a deadline for withdrawing American ground troops from Kosovo. By a vote of 53 to 47, senators stripped a provision from a military construction spending bill that would have cut off funds for the 5,600 United States troops in Kosovo by July 1, 2001, forcing their withdrawal unless Congress authorized an extension.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate narrowly rejected a measure to set a deadline for withdrawing American ground troops from Kosovo, defeating a provision that would have cut off funds for the 5,600 United States troops in Kosovo by July 1, 2001.
  • 40 Republicans voted for the measure, while 53 senators opposed it, with Vice President Al Gore presiding over the roll-call, prepared to cast a tie-breaking vote if needed.
  • The measure was rejected despite criticism from Gov. George W. Bush of Texas, who had earlier condemned the provision as a "legislative overreach."
  • 15 Republicans joined 38 Democrats in supporting a Democratic amendment to strike the withdrawal language from the $8.6 billion military construction spending bill.
  • The defeated provision's author, Senator John W. Warner of Virginia, vowed to offer an amendment to the Pentagon's budget bill for fiscal year 2001 to require certification that European allies are meeting their commitments for reconstruction aid.
  • The House approved a similar amendment on the European aid share, but with different standards and a longer timeline for certification.

Statistics:

  • $20 billion: The cost of America's open-ended commitment in Kosovo and Bosnia.
  • 5,600: The number of United States troops in Kosovo.
  • 40: The number of Republicans who voted for the measure.
  • 53: The number of senators who opposed the measure.
  • $8.6 billion: The budget for the military construction spending bill.
  • $20 billion: The total financial support pledged by the United States to Kosovo.

Sources:

  • [News analysis, Page A10 of The New York Times]
  • The New York Times
  • Senate Vote Roll Call
  • House Vote Roll Call