On Wednesday July 18th, the US Senate abandoned an effort to impose restrictions on the Bush administration’s conduct of the war in Iraq after losing a procedural vote Wednesday to halt a Republican filibuster. On a vote of 52-47, the Senate fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to clear a Republican procedural hurdle and move toward passage of an April 30, 2008 deadline for removing U.S. combat troops from Iraq.

On Tuesday July 17th, MoveOn.org organized rallies around the country to protest the filibuster.
Video & Photos From SF Protest | MoveOn Photos From Around The Country

Democracy Now Coverage: Dems End Debate on Iraq Partial Withrawal Bill After Failing to Overcome GOP Filibuster | Senate Democrats Hold All-Night Debate on Iraq | BTL: Bush and GOP Resist Pressure to End Iraq War

WSWS: Democrats halt Senate debate on Iraq war | Juan Cole: Two Deadlocked Parliaments | DailyKos: Huzzah for Harry Reid