For Planning Purposes Only

Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2007

CONTACT:    Jim Manley / Rodell Mollineau, Reid, 202-224-2939

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WILL KEEP SENATE IN SESSION THROUGHOUT NIGHT, DEMAND UP-OR-DOWN VOTE ON CHANGING COURSE IN IRAQ

Washington, DC-Senate Democrats will keep the chamber in session all night Tuesday to force Republicans intent on blocking a change of course in Iraq to explain their obstruction.  Blocking an up-or-down vote on the Levin-Reed amendment to the Defense Authorization bill - which addresses the most important issue our country faces - shows Republicans are more interested in protecting the President than protecting our troops.

A schedule of events throughout the day follows:

12:00 noon                 Senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed lead a bipartisan press conference in the Senate Radio/TV Gallery to highlight their amendment to the change course in Iraq through the Defense Authorization bill.

2:15 p.m.                    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid holds his weekly stakeout

3:00 p.m.                    Senators gather on the floor to begin the all-night session.

3:30 p.m.                    Rollout of the cots to LBJ (for more information, contact Joe Shoemaker, Durbin, 202-224-7028)

4:30 - 6:00 p.m.         Iraq War veterans visit the offices of key Republican Senators (for more information, contact Eric Schmeltzer, VoteVets.org, 646-290-8586)

                                    4:30 P.M.: Senator Voinovich

                                    4:30 P.M.: Senator Collins

                                    5:00 P.M.: Senator Lugar

                                    5:00 P.M.: Senator Domenici

6:00 p.m.                    Dinner is delivered to the Cloak Room

9:00 p.m.                    Senators participate in Call to Action to change course in Iraq (Upper Senate Park)

9:30 p.m. and on        Iraq War veterans sit in the Gallery to watch the floor debate

9:30 p.m. and on        Senate holds live quorum call throughout the night 

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