But the Senate blocked the legislation and simply said it would review the outcome of any nonbinding local vote.

In another nonbinding vote, an overwhelming 173 Republicans opposed such American involvement.

Okinawa will hold a nonbinding vote next month on whether to reduce the American military bases there.

The House took the same position in a nonbinding vote.

By an overwhelming margin, they also rejected independence, the third option that had been offered to them in the nonbinding vote today.

The outcome of the nonbinding vote was never in doubt, as more than half the legislature's seats are held by government allies.

A nonbinding vote is scheduled for the company's annual meeting on May 7.

It could call for shareholders to support such a special meeting, which could produce another nonbinding vote.

The Senate voted last year to block the rules, and the House, in a nonbinding vote, took a similar step.

A similar nonbinding vote is planned for next month in Puerto Rico.