There are very few men and women in America who believe the Iraq war is not worthy of debate. They are the Republican Members of the United States Senate. Today, they did our country a grave disservice.

Republicans in the Senate voted to tie the hands of Congress and block a debate on the war in Iraq. By voting against a real debate on Iraq, Republicans voted in favor of the President's plan to escalate the war. Numerous Republican Senators are on the record opposing this escalation. Do these Republicans stand with the President or do they stand with the American people?

Help me send a message to Republicans in the Senate. Tell them:

Stop blocking debate on escalating the war in Iraq - let's have an up or down vote on the President's plan.

Senate Republicans are obstructing the very change Americans demanded last November. This was the first time they had the opportunity to debate this war, but it will not be the last. Democrats will not back down or let this issue fade away. The consequences of inaction are far too dire.

55,492 of you signed our "No Escalation - No Way" petition. I read through many of your comments. They were thoughtful and heartfelt, expressing concern for our troops and our nation. Especially touching were the pleas from the parents of soldiers currently serving in Iraq. One of them wrote: "My son is a Marine and has been in Iraq 11 months . . . Let him come home and out of harms way. Don't make him serve another term."

We need to respond with the same level of energy and commitment right now.

Please help tell Senate Republicans:

Stop blocking debate on escalating the war in Iraq - let's have an up or down vote on the President's plan.